Ultimate Granola

I've had this recipe tucked away for a long time. Stashing it away for another project or at the least a 'reserve' when I hadn't managed to photograph a new recipe. But then it occurred to me that I really should post it (and not just because I have nothing else to post this week!!) because it is incredibly popular in our house and I feel like I am always making up a fresh batch!

When my husband is in town during the week this is his favourite breakfast to have. He can either have a bowl with milk at home before heading to work, or if in a rush he grabs some and takes it with some yogurt to enjoy as soon as he has some time!

The recipe was adapted from one I read in The Meat Free Monday Cookbook but after doing quite a bit of research on Granola recipes, I found that honestly they are all pretty similar, and really it's just about finding a combination that you like then if need be, adapting things slightly. I'm not going to lie, this isn't a cheap version of Granola but in my opinion it is worth every penny! This version really has a little bit of everything in it so it's a big hit in our family and the touch of cinnamon adds a delicious warmth to it. It makes a lot which I like as it lasts a little longer but if you prefer you can easily half the recipe.

Enjoy it with milk, to snack on by itself, or my favourite way – sprinkled over yogurt.

{I like to use cups for this recipe rather than measuring everything out as I find it a lot easier. If you don't have specific measuring cups just find a small mug or coffee cup and use that – the main thing is just to keep the quantities the same once you find your cup of choice!}

Makes approx. 12 cups of Granola

½ cup almonds, roughly chopped

½ cup pecans, roughly chopped

½ cup brazil nuts or other nuts of your choice, roughly chopped

4 cups porridge oats

½ cup sunflower seeds

½ cup pumpkin seeds

½ cup flax seeds

½ cup flaked coconut

1 ½ tsp cinnamon

½ cup grape seed or sunflower oil

½ cup honey or agave syrup

1 cup dried fruit of your choice – I like a combination of sour cherries, goji berries and sweet cranberries but you could add raisins, dried blueberries or dried apricots, chopped up

Preheat the oven to 350F/ 180C and line a large baking sheet (or 2 smaller ones) with baking parchment - trust me, this will help with clean up!

In a large bowl mix together the almonds, pecans, brazil buts, oats, all of the seeds, coconut and the cinnamon. Mix well then add the oil and honey. Stir well so that everything is evenly coated with the oil and honey, mix then transfer to the baking tray (or trays). Spread the granola out evenly over the tray and press down slightly with the back of a large spoon or spatula, then bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes, turning half way through cooking so that it gets evenly browned.

Once the granola is golden and crisp, remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes then add the dried fruit. Transfer to an airtight container and enjoy however you like.

Creamy Tropical Fruit Smoothie

With Spring in full force (although with fairness last week felt like Summer!) I have been enjoying a lot more smoothies, especially since I have recently re-joined the gym. It's a great way to start my day or to give me an energy boost mid afternoon before or after working out. Even better my son loves it and not that I need any help getting him to eat fruit, if you have a fussy fruit eater in your family I am sure they will love this.

Makes 2 glasses (easily doubled)

1 cup of frozen mango cubes

1 full (slightly overflowing!) cup of strawberries, hulled

¼ pineapple, peeled

1 pot of yogurt (100g approx)*

Splash of milk (optional)

Put the mango cubes into a blender and leave to soften slightly while you cup up the other fruit, then add the strawberries and pineapple to the blender along with the yogurt. I tend to half fill my pot of yogurt with the milk and swish it around a bit to get the last of the yogurt before adding it to the blender. Blitz until smooth then serve while thick and creamy and icy cold.

Note:

If you don't have frozen mango cubes add a few ice cubes to the blended when you blitz it to make it nice and frosty cold.

Variation:

If you don't like/ have allergies to Mango or simply can't get any you can replace it with 1 large banana instead, just don't forget the ice!

My Favourite Fruit Smoothie

In the warmer months I can never resist making this delicious smoothie for a quick and healthy breakfast or snack. It takes no time at all to make and is a huge hit with everyone in the family and of course is super healthy – I love it! By using frozen berries (which you can buy year round) you get a wonderfully thick almost sorbet like smoothie that is icy cold and really refreshing as well as completely satisfying. You just can't go wrong with this!

Serves 2-3 happily {easily doubled}

2 cups frozen mixed berries* (such as strawberries; raspberries; blackberries & blueberries)

1 cup frozen or fresh mango, cubes

1 banana

½ cup fruit juice

½ cup plain natural yogurt

Simply put all of the ingredients into a blender and whizz up until smooth and everything is well mixed, then pour into glasses and enjoy. That easy!

*If you have fresh fruit by all means use that, just add some ice to the blender when you add all of the other ingredients.

Bircher Muesli

Bircher is by no means a new thing but it seems to have seen somewhat of a revival over the last few years appearing in plenty of recent cookbooks and food magazines. I was introduced to it several years ago by my sister and dad who had in turn been given it by my brother and sister-in-law. Needless to say I was very thankful for the introduction as I absolutely love it and it is a great way to start the day.

It's kind of a cross between a yogurt muesli parfait and porridge, which perhaps doesn't sound too appetizing but trust me – it is! Not only is it delicious but it's a lovely healthy way to start your day and even better, you can make it in advance so if you are up early and don't have time to grab something you can make this the night before, add a few extra ingredients in the morning then take it with you. The other advantage to making it the night before is that it allows the oats to soften and plump up so that they aren't too crunchy.

Of course there are lots of versions of this around, so it's really just a case of making it as you like. This is my favourite version which includes dried cranberries and cherries as well as almonds but adapt it to your own tastes and if you find you would prefer it a little sweeter you can always add a drizzle of honey.