Chunky Chewy Fruit & Nut Granola

Wednesday 5 September 2012

SAM_0937

I think one of my favourite things to have for breakfast of all time is Granola. I just love it. When I eat it, I feel like I am doing something really good for myself . . . all earth mother and all that . . . a bit like a hippy, a naturalist. (Not THAT kind!)

SAM_0938

It's all that dried fruit . . . and the toasted nuts and oats. It just seems uber healthy and I confess . . . moreishly delish! More often than not though . . . I will have a pot of low fat yoghurt and then a bit of the granola on top, because it's usually quite high in calories too . . . and sometimes fat! Especially if you buy a ready made one.

SAM_0940

Those ready made ones are usually pumped FULL of fat and sugar . . . not a lot of nuts, and more than likely they will be peanuts, which are also very high in fat. The fruit in them?? Usually not a lot, and then mostly raisins, unless you pay extra to get a "designer" type granola!

SAM_0941

That's why I like to make my own. I control what goes into it. I control the amount of nuts and fruit, and the type of nuts and fruit. You will always find a delicious combination of fruit in mine . . . dried cherries, cranberries, sultanas, apricots, dates, blueberries . . . plus there won't be a peanut in sight . . . just raw almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds . . . sometimes cashews and macadamias, maybe even pistachios . . . it's normally a pretty scrummy mix.

SAM_0942

I found this pretty low fat recipe in one of my cookery books the other day. (Blue Eggs and Yellow Tomatoes, recipes from a modern kitchen garden by Jeanne Kelley) It's a really lovely book, if you would like to take a look at it, you can find it here, in the UK, and here, in the US. Anyways, this recipe didn't use a lot of fat in it, and not a heck of a lot of sugar either.

SAM_0943

And the sweeteners that it did use were pretty much natural ones like molasses and honey, and soft light brown sugar. I did change out the soft light brown sugar for light brown muscovado sugar . . . because I think that the muscovado sugar is even less processed . . . I kind of like things as natural and whole as I can get them . . . if it is within my power to do so.

SAM_0944

I changed the fruit around a bit as well. She only called for dates and raisins . . . I added a few different ones. Mostly the ones I had in the house . . . dried cherries, dried cranberries, sultanas . . . dried blueberries . . . I used pecans, and almonds . . . and pumpin seeds . . .

SAM_0946

And I added shredded coconut . . . coz I like coconut . . . and then, because I had used the coconut . . . and I happened to have several tubs of extra virgin coconut oil in my larder . . . I changed out the vegetable oil for extra virgin coconut oil. (I'm learning sis!!) My sister has a blog . . . Flat Belly Files. It's all about healthy eating and the such. She's a real pro at it.

SAM_0947

The end result being . . . I have created one of the most delicious granola's I have ever made, and that's saying a lot because I have made some pretty tasty ones before.

I can't keep my hands off of this one though . . . it's pretty darn scrummy, and I like to think that it's that little bit healthier than even my old version. That can't be bad!

SAM_0955

*Chunky Chewy Fruit and Nut Granola*
makes about 16 servings (1/2 cup each)
Printable Recipe

Granola is one of my favourite breakfast cereals. It doesn't always to be high in fat to be good. This recipe uses very little fat, only 2 TBS of coconut oil, but it still tastes delicious. I love all of the nuttiness and like to use a mixture of dried fruits to give it some added sweetness, texture and flavour. I love to serve this with fresh fruit and yoghurt.

250g of old fashioned rolled oats (3 cups)
85g of whole, raw almonds (1/2 cup)
2 large handfuls of raw pumpkin seeds (1/2 cup)
60g of coarsely chopped pecans
40g of shredded coconut (1/2 cup)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
100g of light brown muscovado sugar (1/2 cup packed)
60ml of liquid honey (1/4 cup)
60ml of mild molasses (1/4 cup, not black strap)
60ml of hot water (1/4 cup)
2 TBS melted coconut oil (or sunflower oil)
1/2 tsp fine sea salt
200g of assorted dried fruits (about 1 1/2 cups, dried cherries, sultanas, chopped apricots, chopped dates, sultanas, dried sweetened cranberries, etc.it's your choice)

SAM_0957

Preheat the oven to 165*C/325*F/ gas mark 3. Oil a large rimmed baking sheet. Set aside.

Measure the oats, nuts, seeds, coconut and cinnamon into a large bowl. Measure the sugar, honey, molasses, hot water, coconut oil and sea salt into a heavy bottomed saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until the sugar is melted. Bring to the boil and then pour this mixture over the oat mixture in the bowl. Toss together to coat all of the oats and nuts with the mixture. Spread out into a single layer on the baking sheet.

Roast in the heated oven for about 40 minutes, until golden brown, stirring every 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir in your fruit. Return to the oven and roast for a further 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool. Stire in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

16 comments

  1. This recipe is soo healthy!
    Love your blog!

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  2. The great thing about home made granola is that you can customize it to your liking or to what you have on hand. Yours looks so good...yum!

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  3. Pretty pretty..love the utensil..cup etc also:)

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  4. Nice granola! I love the red berries and green seeds in there. I haven't made granola in years but everyone likes it so I should give it a go.
    We especially like it on yogurt.

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  5. omg!
    this makes me really hungry!
    furthermore, it's healty..so no frustration while eating them..really nice!!:)
    Prism

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  6. Oh, good gracious, this looks good! I LOVE homemade granola! I haven't made any in SUCH a long time--thanks for inspiring me, Marie!

    Love your rice pudding recipe, too--one of my very favorite things...so creamy & delicious!

    Wishing you a beautiful September day, dear friend--lots & lots of love sent your way!

    Julie

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  7. Fabulous way to start the day - or snack through the day - just delicious
    Mary x

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  8. Lovely looking and I bet it tastes great. One of my favorite things to have for breakfast is a bit of Greek yogurt with granola on top. I may have to try this one out.

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  9. I'm always on the look out for a new granola recipe to try. Thanks for sharing with us all ;0)

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  10. Thanks everyone. It is quite, quite scrummy indeed! I am going to have to make some more already! (I know, I'm a very wicked woman to be eating so much of it!)

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  11. The final ingredient: 1/2 C assorted dried fruits ... it's a 1/2 C total? (Not 1/2 C each fruit)

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  12. I think if you read the recipe again Cindy you will note that it is one and a half cups, not half a cup. And yes, you can make that up with any assortment of dried fruits you wish to use.

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  13. Sorry, I just noticed final ingred is 1 1/2 C assorted fruits (I had thought 1/2) so now I do assume it's 1 1/2 C total

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  14. Yes Cindy, 1 1/2 cups total of any or all of the dried fruits. Its your choice! I hope you enjoy it!

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  15. Looks delicious but far too much sugar for me to eat as a diabetic :(

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    Replies
    1. I can't eat it anymore either Julie! I am working on a diabetic solution! Stay tuned! Xo

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