Granola

This is the first time I've made Granola and I was very pleased with the result. This Granola is so nice that it can be eaten raw like cereal muesli, or toasted. I decided to toast it so we could eat it both for cereal and for snacking.

Ingredients:

• 3½ cups rolled oats 
• 1 cup raw whole, or slivered, or flaked or sliced almonds - I used slivered
• 1 cup raw cashews (or walnuts or pecans) - I used cashews
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut - do not use desiccated as it's too fine
• ½ cup raw sunflower seeds
• ½ cup raw pepita seeds
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1½ teaspoons ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon grated or ground nutmeg
• 6 tablespoons olive spread or nutella
• ½ cup honey
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (not essence)
• ½ teaspoon salt

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 120 degrees celsius. Cover a baking tray with baking paper
2. Mix the dry oats, almonds, cashews, coconut, seeds and spices together in a large mixing bowl
3. Heat the butter and honey together in a small saucepan over low heat, or quickly zap it in the microwave. Once melted stir in the vanilla and salt
4. Pour the hot liquids over the dry ingredients and mix together with a rubber spatula until evenly coated
5. Spread mixture onto prepared pan in one even layer. Bake for about 70 minutes or until it has browned
6. Store in air tight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks

This is what the Granola looks like uncooked...

D-E-L-icious XD

Granola Bars

Miss 16 made these Granola bars last week. They are amazing. I think it's the peanut butter which makes them special. They are easy and only have 5 ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup packed dates, pitted 
• 1/4 cup honey (or maple syrup)
• 1/4 cup creamy salted natural peanut butter or almond butter
• 1 cup roasted unsalted almonds, loosely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats

Method:

1. Process dates in a food processor until small bits remain. Or alternatively cut them really fine. It should form a “dough” like consistency
2. Optional step: Toast your oats in a 185 celsius degree oven for 15ish minutes or until slightly golden brown. Otherwise, leave them raw
3. Place oats, almonds and dates in a bowl – set aside
4. Warm honey and peanut butter in the microwave for 45-60 seconds - watch it doesn't get too runny - and stir it half way
5. Stir and pour over oat mixture and then mix, breaking up the dates to disperse throughout
6. Once thoroughly mixed, transfer into a square cake pan lined with baking paper so they lift out easily
7. Press down until uniformly flattened and let set in fridge or freezer for 15-20 minutes to harden.
8. Remove bars from pan and chop into 10 even bars. Store in an airtight container for up to a few days. D-E-L-icious  XD