Spiced-Honey & Fig Quinoa Granola

I feel granola on a deep level. Granola is one of those things that I will find if you evenly remotely have something granola-like in your house. Unfortunately most varieties are A) expensive, B) filled with sugar, or C) are mainly comprised of oats or puffed rice so you essentially might as well eat a bowl of frosted flakes. I love love love granola that has a lot of junk in it like raisins, nuts, chocolate chips, flaked coconut, sunflower seeds, etc. I feel gypped, though, if we're talking almonds. Because I feel like almonds are a total cop-out. Everyone puts almonds in granola and nobody can really love an almond like one can love a pecan or a hazelnut or even a walnut on a charitable day. So when I make granola, I make chunky granola. I make granola intended to fuel your day not with excess sugar, but with a punch of protein, lots of spice, and a multitude of textures. Meet the latest variation, loosely based on Izzy Hossack's "10 Minute Almond Granola" from Top With Cinnamon:

Spiced-Honey & Fig Quinoa Granola

2 cups rolled oats

¼ cup raw quinoa

1 ½ cups assorted chopped nuts and seeds (I used cashews, pecans, and pumpkin seeds)

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

¼ teaspoon sea salt

2 Tablespoons coconut oil

3 Tablespoons raw honey

½ cup chopped, dried Turkish figs

1. In a large iron skillet over high heat, combine oats, quinoa, and nuts. Stir frequently for five minutes, until all ingredients are toasted. Toward the end, add the cinnamon, ginger, and salt.
2. Make a well in center of pan and add coconut oil, honey, and figs. Continue to cook five more minutes, stirring constantly till all granola is well-covered with oil and honey.
3. Dump into rimmed baking sheet to cool. Allow to cool completely before storing in plastic bag or a glass jar where it will keep for two weeks.

In a perfect world I would have at least three kinds of granola on hand for hurried morning breakfasts as I head out the door to work. Since the world isn't perfect and I make only one batch at a time, I enjoy changing up my granola-game nearly as often as I buy (or make) it. What's your favorite flavor combination?