Last week Yvonne from Hey Pesto tweeted that she was making up a hamper and wanted to include some healthy options. In the end she opted for some yummy jars of homemade granola. I love granola but don't often buy it as I have never found a shop bought version that I really like, so I decided to make some myself. I am still firmly in the battle to eat healthy foods following the stodge and comfort food of December. The weather is not helping as it regularly hovers near 0 or in the minuses at the moment. While all of my meals are prepared from scratch using fresh vegetables I am still being drawn towards carb laden mash potato and similar for dinner so I feel that breakfast and lunch need to take on a lighter twist. Granola with natural yogurt for me is not only a healthy way to start the day but also a really tasty way too. I'm not a big fan of porridge so this is an ideal way for me to get some porridge oats into my morning routine.
The following is my recipe but do feel free to add some dried fruit once the granola has cooled and also use nuts of your choice.
Granola
(makes enough to fill a 1ltr Kilner Jar)
240g/3cups Porridge Oats
100g/1cup Almond Flakes
100g/1cup Blanched Almonds, roughly chopped
100g/1cup Walnuts, roughly chopped
2tbsp Sunflower Oil
10tbsp Honey
1. Preheat the oven to 165C/329F/Gas Mark 3. Line a baking sheet with grease proof paper.
2. Place all of the ingredients into a bowl and mix well to ensure the honey and oil are evenly distributed throughout.
3. Pour out onto the prepared baking sheet and spread out evenly.
4. Place into the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven at regular intervals and stir to ensure that the mixture browns evenly and to avoid large clumps forming.
5. When golden brown all over remove from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack. (The mixture may still seem a little soft or damp when removed from the oven but it will crisp up as it cools.)
6. Transfer to an airtight container and store for up to one month. (If you wish to add dried fruit do so at this stage.)
Oh I must give this a try... and I love that pen! :)
ReplyDeleteDo, it is lovely.
ReplyDeleteSis bought me the pen, the top of it is a lip gloss. LOVE it. :)
Oh yay here it is! Looks great, I will def try this. It will make a nice change from my usual porridge for breakfast, plus I love yogurt!
ReplyDeleteHi Nic,
ReplyDeleteI think the granola and yoghurt will be a nice breakfast now that we are coming into spring and *hopefully* warmer weather. Enjoy. :)
Love Love Love Granola - I make a huge batch of it each month or so and have a couple spoons of it on top of my regular cereal.
ReplyDeleteAnother tip if you are looking to up the vitamins and antioxidants is to mix 2 tbsp pureed pumpkin with 2 tbsp greek or natural yoghurt. Add a little honey and cinnamon to taste and spoon over the granola.... mmmmm yum!
This looks great - I love granola but am always wary of shop bought ones, they're so nice they must be full of sugar! Must try this.
ReplyDeleteHi Orla,
ReplyDeleteThe pumpkin and yoghurt sounds yum. At the moment I am just eating it with natural yoghurt, think it is a great way to start the day. :)
Hi Ailsa,
ReplyDeleteShop bought granola can be very sweet. This version is not overly sweet so if you wanted you could at more honey before baking or add a drizzle to each serving.
Home made Granola really is the business (and I love that Glenisk yogurt too!!).
ReplyDeleteHomemade granola is the only way to go, eh? I often add some cacao nibs too. Chocolate shot in the morning!
ReplyDeleteBrownieville Girl,
ReplyDeleteIt is the business, will be whipping up batches to take me right through summer I think. Love Glenisk yoghurt too. Nom!
Chocolate Here,
ReplyDeleteOh dear lord, don't be encouraging me to start the day with a chocolate hit! :) Well maybe just a little few mixed in would be no harm, right?