Quinoa Granola Bars

Directions

1. 1
   Soak dry quinoa in 1/2 cup of water for two hours.
2. 2
   To make the granola, mix all dry granola ingredients, including the soaked quinoa, in a bowl.
3. 3
   Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
4. 4
   Heat oil and honey in a small saucepan until thin; stir into dry ingredients until mixed.
5. 5
   Pour the granola mixture into a jelly roll pan and toast for 1 hour at 250 degrees, stirring occasionally.
6. 6
   Store in a plastic bag until ready to use.
7. 7
   Cook mixed dried fruit with 2 cups water at a simmer half the water has evaporated (about 45 minutes).
8. 8
   Add 3/4 cup dry quinoa and enough water to cover plus a quarter inche and cook over medium heat 20 minutes, adding more water as needed.
9. 9
   Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
10. 10
    Set aside 1 cup cooked quinoa; pour the rest of the quinoa with cooking liquid and fruit pieces into a blender.
11. 11
    Blend until large fruit pieces are chopped up.
12. 12
    Add 1/2 cup raisins, the salt, lemon juice, vanilla, and banana.
13. 13
    Blend.
14. 14
    (Mixture will be thick; stop the blender and push with spoon if you have to, adding water if needed) Spoon blender mixture into a bowl, stirring in granola, 1/2 cup dried fruit, and 1/2 cup raisins.
15. 15
    Press into a greased and floured glass baking dish and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.
16. 16
    Cool.
17. 17
    Cut into desired number of bars.