Rosie’s Granola

I am a massive granola fan. So when I went away to Centerparcs for my annual weekend with friends, of course I reached for the granola at breakfast. And there I was, transported to granola heaven.

Me: Rosie, this granola is amazing! Where’s it from?

Rosie: I made it.

Me: You’re kidding me. Who makes their own granola?

Rosie: I do.

Me: I need this recipe!

So here it is. Rosie’s granola recipe. Everyone else agreed with me. It was the best granola we had ever tasted. Now you can make your own and see for yourself.

The recipe, Rosie admits, is very loosely based on a Nigella Lawson recipe and all the quantities are pretty approximate. Everything can be substituted for something else…..and so your own personal granola can be gluten free, nut free, whatever you need it to be!

The ingredients are measured in cups. This amount makes enough granola to fill one of those large cereal containers.

So throw it all in together into a large mixing bowl and mix up with a wooden spoon.

• 41/2 cups oats
• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• 3/4 cup white sesame seeds
• 3/4 cup apple compote
• 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of ground ginger
• 1/3 cup golden syrup
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 cup whole almonds
• 1 teaspoon of sea salt
• 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil

So instead of the sunflower and sesame seeds, I used a pack of mixed seeds. I used acacia honey. And for apple compote, I bought a tin of 100% apple slices and blitzed them!

When it’s all well mixed up, spread out the mixture onto two baking trays lined with baking parchment. Bake on a low heat in a pre-heated oven at 150C for approx 30-40 minutes, turning once. I actually left it in for nearer 50 minutes as I like my granola well crunchy – and it was.

Add a cup of raisins after baking…..I didn’t even notice this instruction! Still, I can add raisins at any point – or dried apricots or cranberries or whatever….

There’s something very exciting about making your own. Making your own anything really. You can be sure of what’s gone in it. You can put exactly what you want in it. You can make it a bit different every single time you make it.

Yes, it’s expensive and yes, it’s full of calories…but full of natural goodness too and you really only need a small amount. I use 0% Greek style yoghurt and fresh fruit such as strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, with a sprinkling of heavenly granola on top. That’s my perfect breakfast right there.

Give it a go. It’s pretty simple. And pretty wonderful. Thanks, Rosie!