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.)
