Good Things #5/366 :: In Which I Make Toasted Muesli.

I like muesli. Unfortunately, I`m a fussy mueslian. Luckily, I like the muesli I make for myself. Happy co-incidence, no? Good Thing, yes!

Here`s my recipe for a yummy toasted muesli which I try to make every couple of months. I vary it a little bit each time and below is the recipe I used this morning. Easy peasy japan-esy!

Miss Floss` Marvellous Toasted Muesli

500g rolled oats (not the chopped-up, quick cooking kind, but the old-fashioned plain type)

1 cup shredded coconut (not dessicated)

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/4 cup flax seeds

3/4 cup slivered or flaked almonds

1/4 cup cashews (unsalted)

2 tbsp sesame seeds

4 tbsp canola oil (or you could use sunflower or plain vegetable oil)

3/4 cup honey or golden syrup (this morning I used a mix)

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 cup goji berries

1/2 cup sultanas

First, preheat your oven to 150 degrees C.

Put the oats, coconuts, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, almonds, cashews, sesame seeds and cinnamon into a large mixing bowl and mix together with a wooden spoon. Make a well in the centre ready for the liquid.

In a small saucepan, gently heat the honey (or syrup) and oil until runny. Pour it carefully into the well in the dry ingredients and give it all a good stir through to make sure it's all coated in the honey mixture.

Tip the mixture into a large baking tray (preferably non-stick as it's easier to clean). Spread it out gently and put it in the oven.

Bake for 15 minutes and then take it out briefly to give it a gently stir through. You'll notice the top getting crusty and brown. Put it back for another 15 minutes and then remove from the oven.

As the muesli is too hot to put into storage jars yet, let it cool a bit in the baking tray. You will need to give it a stir every 5 minutes or so to prevent it all cooling into one big clump of muesli.

When it's cooled to a nice touchable warmth you can stir through your berries and sultanas. When it's completely cool, transfer to storage containers which seal well and ENJOY!

You can vary it as much as you like, by changing the nuts or going nut-free, add your favorite dried fruit, add triticale or bran into the first stage, vary the spice - make it your own! And don't forget to try to buy locally-grown ingredients if you can!