What is Operation Jam Jar?

Operation Jam Jar is all about getting back to basics in the kitchen.

Check out my efforts at cooking from scratch - cakes, soups, biscuits

Learn how to make things that you would normally buy at the supermarket - wraps, ice cream, pizza bases

Try to live a more 'country' lifestyle in the city - making your own jams or relish

Get the skills to enjoy cooking in a thrifty way, and have a bit of fun while you do it

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Home Made Muesli



I looooove muesli.  But I never ever buy it.

There are a few reasons for this.  First of all, I’m not quite sure if it’s healthy or not (I’m still not sure).  Secondly I’ve had a few bad experiences with buying some and then it not tasting all that great.  Or others that tasted so good that I would eat it out of the packet every time I passed the pantry cupboard, and then worry again whether it was healthy or not.  Confused yet? I was, I must admit. 

So when I saw this simple recipe I thought - well at least if you know exactly what’s in it, you know it’s going to be healthy and taste good! 

Hate sultanas? Leave em out!  Love dried cranberries? Chuck some in.  There are no rules here, let your hair down.  Go wild.  This recipe is what I ended up using based on my tastes, my budget (dried fruit ain’t cheap) and what was available at my local fruit shop.

It ends up around the same price as store bought muesli but I think it’s worth spending the time to make your own.  Not just for the taste and health factor, but also for the smugness of knowing ‘I made that!’ – especially when someone else tries it and loves it as much as you.  

Plus you can leave out that awful awful dried paw paw (gag)

Ingredients:

5 cups rolled oats (the full size big ones, not the quick-cook oats)   
3 tablespoons grapeseed oil  - best to use this as it hasn’t got too much flavour to overpower the muesli
80g honey – I used probably double that as I wanted it to clump together
1 cup sunflower seeds

1 cup flaked almonds         
1 cup of shredded coconut (not desiccated)     
2 cups sultanas
 
1 teaspoon cinnamon      
A handful of sliced dates, dried banana, or any other dried fruits that you like
Directions

Preheat your oven to 160°C.

Line two trays with baking paper.


Mix all of your dry ingredients in a large bowl.

On a medium heat on the stove, heat oil and honey until melted, then stir into the dry ingredients ensuring an even coating.

Spread the mixture evenly over the two trays, quite thickly, and push it out to the edges.


Place trays in the oven and bake for about 30 mins, stirring regularly with a wooden spoon to prevent burning.

You want to get the ingredients browned, and for the fruit to become chewy.

When the mixture is browned to your liking remove from the oven and cool completely before storing in an air tight container.

I like it straight up with milk but you could always add yoghurt or fruit on top.

Goooooood morning!

5 comments:

  1. Hi there Lee, I read your comment on the cookbooks article in yesterday's SMH and popped over to have a look at your blog. Nice work! I am going to try your baked eggs recipe for lunch today, and I agree with you that slow cookers are the best. I adopted a no grains no sugar diet two years ago so I no longer bake, but I still love reading foodie blogs. Once a foodie, always a foodie ... Cheers, Judith

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  2. Thanks Judith for popping over to OJJ! Hope the baked eggs turned out nice, I made them on Sunday morning too. I also love reading about gorgeous desserts which I will never make!

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  3. The muesli looks good! Does Will eat it too?! Can only imagine him on the ole Ready Brek! :0) Great blog btw. Am sure me and Mairi can learn a few new tricks! Hope to see you guys soon.... Tommo

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  4. Hey Tommo good to hear from you! Will is loving the muesli but I think he would eat anything that someone else made him to be honest! Thanks for the nice comment, see you soon

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