What did we ever do before the world wide web? I was curious to find out whether granola is a trade name or not and a quick Google search instantly told me it once was, still is in Australia but no longer is everywhere else. Wikipedia has come in for a lot of stick in the press recently for being unreliable as it is public participation that keeps the information it contains updated and accurate. That means you and me could make up any old tosh and contribute to an encyclopedia of pure bunkem, if we so wish.
According to Wiki-P, “Granola” is used as a slang term (metonym) describing a person who is hippie-like, a modern bohemian, environmentalist, or leftist in outlook. I have never heard anyone referred to as a ‘Granola’, though as insults go it could be worse. In fact I have decided to become a Granola.
I can’t believe that I’ve never made granola before, an oat-based whole-foodie concoction that contains seeds, nuts and grains and is slightly sweetened with honey, maple or sugar syrup. The combination of ingredients can be just about any mix you like and baking in the oven toasts it all nicely and heightens the flavours.
I am never sure whether it is good to make things that you can’t stop eating or better to not make them at all and for me granola falls into this category. The real jewels in the mix, the whole cashews, chopped apricots and toasted pecans sit on the top shouting ‘eat me’ and I duly oblige everytime I walk through the kitchen. Paul McKenna promotes a strange tapping technique to overcome cravings so I am often to be found in the kitchen staring at the jar of granola whilst tapping my head in the McKenna-style.
Granola is fabulous served with natural yoghurt for breakfast and full of good things to help keep you going all day. For a rather more special dessert, mix mascarpone with plain yoghurt, maple syrup and a spash of good vanilla extract and add the granola to that. Serve in precious little ramekins to make it seem even more special. Here is a recipe to get you started but really, this is a freeform thing, so go with the flow and improvise.
I really like granola, and this is a new taste for me too. I find that for a quick, no-oven, granola-esque fix I can make do with a variety of (sometimes odd) ingredients.
Chopped banana and apple
raisins
flaked almonds
dry porridge oats
crumbled oatcakes/homemade broken flapjacks
even (on one occasion) left-over biscuit dough…
The banana tastes really good and binds the whole mixture together. Saying that, I think I might try putting some seeds in next time…must have more texture!
Thank-you for your comment on my blog, and it’s no problem giving a link to The Laundry – I think it’s a wonderful website/shop.
Comment by Rebecca 02.27.08 @ 11:07 pmTried pumpkin and sunflower seeds with it today (munching on it right now) – fantastic!
Comment by Rebecca 02.28.08 @ 2:35 pmI have always been sceptical about Granola, not for any good reason, I didn’t really know what it was, but now… oh good grief, I am already mentally emptying cupboards and drawers to find ingredients and I know that we have a bottle of maple syrup on the shelf above the cooker. Yummy food heaven, here I come!
Thanks for experimenting on our behalf.
Since The Headmaster became wheat intolerant I have been a bit at sea with food – a lot of our staples now out-the-window. You have inspired me to have a go at a wheat-free breakfasst special!
Comment by Cherry 03.25.08 @ 8:36 pm