September 30, 2013

30.09.13 | BANANA & MAPLE GRANOLA


Well, I'm pretty sure that I have to accept that Autumn is here. I was really hesitant for the summer to end as it was so lovely, but now that it's getting cooler and the nights are drawing in, I'm kinda loving it. I think Autumn for a lot of people means time for more baking, but I am a terrible baker and can't bake a cake or a muffin to save my life. As you know I love to cook but I really do not love to bake - unless it's something quick & super simple, like granola. I know, I know - making a batch of granola isn't technically baking, but it's as close as I'm planning on getting.

The idea is that I will make a huge batch of granola on a Sunday, and it will feed us for the week. It's one of a few new habits I'm trying to get into in order to make the crazily busy week run a little smoother & so far it seems to be working, but more on that later (like how I'm almost dying on a daily basis doing the 30-day shred). 

For now though, try to erase that mental image of me bouncing around in my living room like an uncoordinated hippo and just enjoy this banana-ry maple-ly goodness in all it's glory. (I know those aren't real words...)


Recipe adapted from Shutterbean (my fave!)

For approx 7 cups of granola, you will need:

- 5 cups of rolled oats
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1 cup pecans
- 2 tbsp chia seeds (optional)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 very ripe bananas
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

And you will need to do this:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 180c/350f/gm4.
2. Bash those nuts up! Using a clean tea-towel & rolling pin, bash the nuts until you have a good selection of uneven sizes.


3. In a large bowl combine the broken nuts, rolled oats, chia seeds, cinnamon and brown sugar. Mix well and set aside.
4. In another bowl mash your bananas well before stirring in the maple syrup and olive oil.
5. Mix together the wet & dry ingredients and stir well to mix everything together making sure all the oats are covered.
6. Line a baking sheet with greaseproof paper and spread the mixture out evenly. 


7. Bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring every 10 until oats are golden.
8. Let cool completely before transferring to an airtight container.


HEY! LOOK! One year ago, I made THIS!


Link up your recipe of the week


14 comments:

  1. Oh my, this is going straight on my 'to make' list. I truly love granola and this sounds DELICIOUS! Loving the photography too - the captions are great.

    If you would like, I'd love you to pop over and link this up with #recipeoftheweek. You can find it under 'Food' on my home menu. x

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    1. So glad you linked up with #recipeoftheweek. There's a new linky live now for this week and I've made this part of the showcase :D Please do pop over and have a look, and you're very welcome to join in again with another recipe post!

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    2. Whoop! Thank you :) xxxxxx

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  2. I never thought of making my own, looks lovely

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    1. Making your own is great because you choose the flavour combinations! x

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  3. This looks great, can't wait to try it! x

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    1. Thanks! I hope you enjoy it as much as we all do! x

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  4. This looks delicious, will definitely be trying this. Sadly my kids always prefer the shop bought granola but I will carry on trying!

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    1. Hahaha, us mums won't be defeated will we?! My eldest is obsessed with a certain choc granola and even he admitted that this one is good!

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  5. This sounds delish, I've never tried granola before, I might have to give this a whirl though

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    1. it's sooo good! I like being able to switch up flavours when I make it myself :)

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  6. So have I stumbled upon this recipe today...thanks Lia!!

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