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This blog began as a side project when we opened Nook Eatery in 2009. In September 2012 we sold Nook, and sadly it now no longer exists. We have a new blog (see A Good Place to Gather). As always we remain inspired by the ingredients we use and the food we cook. This site remains purely as an archive of our three years at Nook Eatery and the recipes I created.

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Oats, Nuts & Maple Syrup

I think a lot of people are put off making their own granola or muesli because the cereal producers and supermarkets have just made it too darn convenient for us.  I personally dislike the commercial stuff you find on the shelves, and the homemade varieties are often super pricey.

I have provided two recipes here, both of which are incredibly easy to make.  Do not be daunted by the ingredients.  You can find most at health food shops.  In fact plenty of convenience stores have a health food section these days, and Fruit & Veg City stocks an incredible range of nuts and seeds.

HONEY MAPLE GRANOLA

This is what we prepare and serve at Nook.  This stuff is so moreish.  Keep a big jar of it in the kitchen, to eat with milk and fruit for breakfast, over yogurt and drizzled with honey, or as it is, by the handful, straight out of the jar.

ingredients (makes 10 cups)

note:  you can be creative as  you like with nuts, seeds and fruit.  substitute pecan nuts for almonds or hazelnuts.  use raisins or citrus peel instead of cranberries.  throw in peanuts and substitute the fruit with dark chocolate chips!

  1. Mix everything except the cranberries together very well in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Spread this mixture out on two baking tins (the ones that come with ovens, and are about the width of a rack) and bake in a 170°C oven, turning over about halfway through baking and re-distributing the granola evenly during the baking process. The object is to get it evenly golden without toasting too much in any one place. This should take anything from about 40 minutes to an hour.
  3. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow to cool before adding the cranberries. Store in an airtight container.
Believe it or not, in the two years I have been making this at Nook I have never eaten it with milk. So. Good. I reckon it would be especially tasty with sliced strawberries or banana. We need to add this option to the menu!

ALMOND & COCONUT MUESLI

Something for the health conscious out there (yes, the granola does have a fair bit of sugar, I agree).  I would turn this into a bowl of Bircher muesli, such as the one above (via Scandi Foodie Blog).  Combine this lightly toasted muesli with organic apple juice, grated pear or apple, and greek yoghurt.  Add some fresh blueberries or sliced fruit, and drizzle over some honey or syrup to sweeten things up a bit.

ingredients

  1. Preheat the oven to 160°C.
  2. Place all the ingredients in a large bowl and stir well to combine.
  3. Spread the mixture evenly over a large baking tray and place in the oven for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until lightly browned.
  4. Remove from the oven,allow to cool, then add the dried berries (alternatively currants or raisins if you prefer)

 
  1. Jessica / Destined to Design says:
    August 2, 2011 at 8:51 pm

    Looks + sounds delicious.

  2. Molly says:
    November 29, 2011 at 7:24 pm

    I’m making this granola for the 3rd time right now – LOVE it. Tho’ in an effort to be slightly more health-conscious I only ‘granola’ the oats, then toast assorted nuts and sesame seeds before mixing altogether.
    I’ll never go back to shop-bought muesli!

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Email: jess.chef@gmail.com

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