Autumn has come in Japan. The air is getting cooler, and leaves are changing to beautiful yellow and red.It's a good season for hiking and camping! How about taking homemade granola bars when you go exploring?
Here we have is a vegan and gluten-free recipe, and added some Japanese vibes, Matcha, Kinako and Kuromame.
What is Matcha (抹茶)?
Matcha, you must already know it if you are a tea-lover. Matcha is a fine powder of a special type of green tea created from shaded tea leaves. (More information here.)
What is Kinako (きな粉)?
Kinako, "soybean flour" in English, literally means "yellow powder". It's ground roasted soybean, and has a roasty and nutty flavor. Some people say it tastes like roasted peanuts. I'm happy to introduce Kinako to you as I love it so much! I have it everyday with milk and yogurt. Kinako also has subtle sweetness to it, so you can enjoy the sweetness and the nice flavor by adding some foods. Also, it contains lots of protein.
What is Kuromame(黒豆)?
Kuromame is called Kuro-daizu (black-soybean, 黒大豆) as it's coverd with black-skin. We can cook and have it in the same way as Daizu (soybean,大豆) although it is more expensive. We traditionally have them for a New Year dish. The beautiful black color looks nice in the red lacquer ware which is a special container for New Year. Kuromame is also high-protein food like Kinako and we say soybean is "meat of the field".
So, it would be perfect to add Kinako and Kuromame to your bars to get some energy! Which one would you like? I like to have Matcha bars when I want to feel refreshed as they have a little bitterness or Kinako bars when I feel like relaxing and having something sweet.
It's a simple recipe. Let's mix and bake!!
Vegan Matcha & Kinako Bar Recipe
ヴィーガン抹茶& きな粉グラノーラバー レシピ
INGREDIENTS
For 12-14 bars ( 22cm x 22cm / 8.5 in x 8.5in tin) , 1 cup = 200ml
2 heaping cup Rolled oats
1.5 cup Nuts and Kuromame black roasted soy bean
*almonds, walnuts, cashew nuts used for this recipe
*Add nuts instead if you don't have Kuromame
0.5 cup Dates
1.2 cup Maple syrup
1.5 cup Non-dairy milk or water *soy milk used for this recipe
0.5 cup Coconut oil
1.5tbsp Matcha or 4 tbsp Kinako (soybean flour)
Pinch of Salt
0.5 tsp Cinnamon optional
INSTRUCTION
Preparation
Chop the nuts, Kuromame and dates finely.
Soak Kuromame and dates into non-dairy milk or water to soften. The liquid's also used as the ingredient.
1 In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except for the coconut oil until well mixed.
2 Add the coconut oil after microwaving for about 30 seconds if the oil is solid. Mix well and leave it for at least 20 minutes until the liquid is absorbed. The waiting time makes the ingredients stick together. You can preheat the oven to 170℃/ 340 F during the time.
3 Transfer the mixture into the tin covered by parchment paper, and press tightly. So it forms solid bars after baking.
4 Bake it at 170℃/ 340 F for about 20 minutes until the top is lightly browned.
5 Allow it to cool completely in the tin to avoiding breaking it. Take it out of the tin and cut into bars.
It would be nice if you drink some Japanese tea with them to get more Japanese feelings.
Enjoy yourself!
Today's recommendation
Morita Beans #1 Kuromame Black Soybean Tea
It's a packet of roasted black soybeans. Add them into the bars. Also you can make tea with the beans using a teapot pouring hot water on them. Don't throw away the beans, you can eat them too.
Kinao(soybean flour) made from soybeans grown in Hokkaido 北海道産大豆使用 京きな粉
You can add to granola bars, drinks, yogurt ,donuts and on toast... whatever you like. Children must like it.
