Some people have 'Zen' mornings. Wake up listening to the birds chirping, go for a run, eat a big breakfast and reach work before everyone else. That is the exact opposite of our mornings. We are all about snoozing, hurrying and running to work. In the midst of all the morning madness, it is usually breakfast that suffers. Weekday breakfasts are the most unappreciated meals and ironically, the most essential also. It is what your body needs to re-energize for the long day ahead.
With this in mind, I am always on the lookout for easy breakfast recipes - ideally ones that I can make before hand. And if you are on the same mission, this recipe is right up your alley.
Oats are soon becoming the quintessential breakfast staple in our homes. This horse-feed is rich in fiber, high is protein and is known to lower bad cholesterol and blood pressure. There are many health benefits to be had from oats but the bottom line is - Oats are great for you! It keeps you full for longer and makes for a wonderful breakfast. But here is the catch - if you are tearing open a packet of pre-mixed oats or granola - you are probably not on the right track. Most pre-mixed oats are high in sugar and other additives which are not what one should eat first thing in the morning - or any other time of day.
Here is a recipe for a simple, homemade Granola.
Base Recipe Ingredients:
1 cup rolled oats. [These do better here than steel cut oats.]
1 heaping teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
3 tablespoons of maple syrup.
2 tablespoons of olive oil [or coconut oil]
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
Additions:
Dried fruits : Raisins, Apricots, Goji berries, Blueberries
Nuts : Pecans, Almonds or Walnuts
Seeds : Sunflower seeds, Pumpkin seeds
Dried coconut gratings
Now, for the simple recipe.
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Mix the wet ingredients -- maple syrup, oil & vanilla extract, till they are blended well.
3. Add cinnamon + oats and mix well.
Your base is ready. Yes, that's it!
While this is good by itself, the additions make for a more nutritious breakfast. My version has pecans, sunflower seeds, coconut gratings and raisins. Add in your favorite additions to the base granola and mix well. Just remember to leave out the dried fruits at this point and add them in at the end. [I forgot this and ended up rescuing the granola!]
Spread your mix on a oven proof tray which is lined with parchment paper to avoid sticking. Bake it for 20-25mins. Mix it once after 10mins to ensure even coloring. Once the color is a toasty brown, pull it out of the oven and let it cool. Add in the dried fruits you had left out earlier and mix well. Store in airtight container(s) for up to two weeks.
Note: Try to use the best quality of ingredients. As and when possible use organic oats, pure maple syrup [one without additives] and vanilla extract [not essence!]. More of my rants on eating better coming soon!
We love eating this every morning with some honey, yogurt and fresh fruits. Hope your mornings are a little more 'Zen' after this recipe!