Baking day

It was grey and wet yesterday, so I put the oven on and made some granola. I like this for breakfast with fruit and yoghurt, it really keeps me going without that mid-morning snacking urge!  There's no fixed recipe, and I used whatever nuts and seeds I have in the cupboard, but I try to have roughly 1 part seeds/nuts to 3 parts oats.  I put the seeds(  pumpkin, sunflower and hemp seeds) and nuts(hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts, cashews and pistachios) into an oven dish and roast for about 10-12 minutes, stirring frequently. I mix some oats with a tablespoon each of honey and golden syrup (you might like to use more if you have a sweeter tooth than me) and when the seeds/nuts are just starting to turn golden brown, remove them from the oven, mix everything together in the same dish and return to the oven for 10-15 minutes; again, keep checking it and stir frequently. It's ready when the nuts look a deep golden brown, but be careful not to burn them! Let it cool a little and add dried fruit of your choice if you like. It'll keep for a few weeks in an airtight container.

 

As the oven was on, I made some biscotti too. Another easy and moreish recipe! It uses American cup measurements.

2 cups plain flour

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

pinch of salt

3 eggs 

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup blanched hazelnuts, chopped roughly

Heat oven to 180 degrees C/gas mark 4. Grease a baking tray. Combine the dry ingredients. Beat the eggs, then add to the dry mix with the oil and the hazelnuts; mix well to combine. Shape the mixture into 2 rectangles of at least 1 inch thickness, place on the baking tray and cook for 25-30 minutes, till the top doesn't give when you touch it. Remove from the oven, cool for 10 minutes. Cut each log into 1 inch thick slices, place on baking tray and return to the oven for 15 minutes. Cool on a rack. They will keep for several days in an airtight container. They're a little softer and chewier than shop-bought ones, so you can enjoy them on their own, but they are even better with a latte or cappucino!

 

Comments

[Blueberry stuff]

Your stuff sounds good and thanks for sharing....
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[New baking]

This is something very special for me..I'm very happy to see this granola.. The recipe looks like a good one to try..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrSTQDVc0tc The taste is really rich, and surprisingly satisfying.. Good job!!!