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Thursday 24 September 2015

Granola

A big change of heart for me. I have never been a cereal lover, always preferring a fruit or protein option. One of my friends daughter started making Granola and having tried it and thoroughly enjoying it I decided to give it a go.
Breakfast out has become the norm. Try to get in anywhere on a week end without booking and you will do it New York style wait in a queue. We had a great breakfast at Two Hands run by Aussies in Soho. You must try it if in NYC casual, the americans are going crazy over their simple delicious health menu.
You can enjoy all these delights at home. Why not ask a few friends around for brunch and give them some homemade granola, with beautiful yoghurt. Freshly squeezed juice, egg and bacon rolls or avocado toast sprinkled with a little chilli flakes and lemon. Eggs Benedict or acai bowls sprinkled with granola and fresh berries. ricotta toast with berries. The combinations are endless and half the price of a cafe. Of course it does involve a little bit of work but not nearly as busy as preparing for a dinner. Maybe a little champers to go with it....
I am sure there are many Granola recipes, bt this works for me and hasn't too much extra sugar.

1 kilo rolled oats
3/4 cup coconut oil
3 tablespoons of maple syrup or honey
3 tablespoons cinnamon
150 grams pumpkin seeds
250 grams roasted unsalted nuts my favourite is a cashew and almond mix but the choice is yours
250 grams dried fruit. I have used raisons or sultanas or cranberries.

Preheat oven to 160 C.
Place the oats in a large bowl and stir through very thoroughly the coconut oil, honey and cinnamon.
If you need to use your hands do so as the honey can tend to clump the oats into small balls. Stir through the pumpkin seeds.
Layer on a flat tray and place in the oven.  The amount will probably fill 3 trays .Turn and move the mixture every 10 minutes or so until slightly coloured. You can't leave the kitchen and must be attentive as it can burn easily.
This could take approx 1/2 hour depending on your ovens heat. If you want it to roast faster you can turn up the temperature, but be careful.
Remove and cool.
Add the nuts and dried fruit. Done
Store in a 3 litre sealed container.

Breakfast at Two Hands