Sunday Granola

I first posted about granola almost exactly a year ago, it is good to know I am consistent in my seasonal eating habits! I have made many batches since then and after posting abut the steel cut oats I thought it about time I made another batch.

The good thing about granola is that it is completely adaptable to your own tastes and what you have to hand. Good for using up any left-over Christmas nuts. Our oven is not working correctly so I grilled at all stages but you could use the oven if you wish, it would just take a little longer.

This is what I did this time around...

Grab handfuls of your favourite unsalted nuts and seeds. I used chopped hazelnuts, peanuts, brazil nuts, cashew nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and almonds. Spread these out on a baking tray and grill until they slightly brown and smell wonderful. Watch them like a hawk as if they go too far it will taste bitter. Mine took about three minutes.

In a bowl mix jumbo oats (I roughly do a ratio of at least 10 parts oats to 1 part seeds/nuts) with a drop or two of good vanilla essence, and few tablespoons of ground nut oil, golden syrup, and honey (I love acacia honey). How much you use is up to you. I tend to be quite sparing with the oil, syrup, and honey, maybe a tablespoon of each for a big batch, as I don't like it too sweet. The idea is to have the oats ever so slightly sticking to each other. Then, when the nuts and seeds are toasted to a very light brown, mix everything together.

Spread this mixture back out on the baking tray and put back under the grill. Again you need to watch this like a hawk. I carried a chair into the kitchen and sat there listening to the radio while stirring every few minutes. A lovely activity for a Sunday morning. It makes a very quiet hissing noise and the smell that washes over you and the kitchen is just divine. When it is toasted to to an even light brown, about 10 minutes, remove from the grill and allow to cool.

And thus you have granola. My instructions are not too specific as it really is up to you what you want your granola to taste like. Sometimes I have shredded coconut (add in at the oat stage), and if you want to add dried fruit I would add this after the granola is cooked. I enjoy my granola with milk or soy milk but very heavenly is a handful over Greek yoghurt and a small dollop of honey.

Bliss. Simon has had this great idea that you could use this to make grown up cornflake cakes. Imagine that, little granola cakes held together with chocolate. I am keeping it in mind as a good gift idea.

Oh yes and speaking of tins, the golden syrup tin seems to have had a small make-over luckily it is still very pretty :)

Comments

[pinkjellybaby]

oh! You made me want flapjack!

[marceline]

oh! I still haven't made granola. how can that be a year ago?!

[Melissa]

I love these photos. Granola making has become a ritual around here, perfect for cold mornings when it's nice to have the oven on. And the toasted nut flavor is just heaven.

[ai]

Whoa, that looks really good, Alice. I would try the recipe if I could get all those nuts. Nuts aren't something we eat on a daily basis, so naturally they are a bit hard to come by.

[Abbey]

Looks delicious!!