The week of party comes to an end today. Yes after posting six yummy crunchy snacks for a week for the Blogging Marathon, we have come to an end. But wait, we are food bloggers, so our party goes on 24 x 7. OK, the theme will change, menu will change, but the fun and indulgence goes on forever. So it only made sense to post a healthy and sweet post on the Day 7 (and last day) of the Blogging Marathon with the theme "crunchy snacks for kids".
Now coming to think of crunchy snacks, then if "masala vadai" is a synonym for it, and whole wheat crunchy cookies are great alternative, then granola should be a replacement for it. After all it's the mix of some of the healthiest stuff - oats, nuts, seeds and fruits. What could be better than that. Plus so easy to prepare. And if this was not good enough, then it can be personalized completely to suit our tastebuds. If you like me, had not made granola at home, please do so now to enjoy all the health & taste benefits.
To confess I'm not a cereal person. Actually I'm not a bread person either. And muffins and cakes are normally not part of Indian breakfasts. So what does that leave me with. Well it was parathas that I seem to have grown up on. Maybe aloo snadwich thrown in between. And I was more than happy with that. But now I don't feel like making parathas for breakfasts. Maybe it's the heat or the health reasons. So I was really happy when both me and my husband liked this granola. At least it added a quick breakfast cum snack option in my pantry.
Also a great sweet way to enjoy both your granola and your summer berries is in the form of parfait. Perfect way to make your kid have yogurt and fruits with this crunchy topping. I can't wait to try more variation and combinations in both granola and parfait. But for now I leave you with the basic recipe of both. After all I expect you to be around when I experiment more. Right?
Granola Recipe
Ingredients
3 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
3/4 cup chopped dried mixed fruits
3/4 cup chopped nuts
2-3 tbsp choco chips (optional)
2 tbsp sunflower seeds (Or/ And flax seeds)
1 tbsp sesame seeds
1/2 cup honey
4 tbsp butter
1/4 cup sugar (Reduce or remove completely, as per taste)
Pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla
Method:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Light toast oats, walnuts, almonds & sunflower seeds for about 7-8 mins, stirring in between.
- Mix it with choco chips, salt, sesame seeds and other nuts. (Except dried fruits)
- In a small pan, mix butter, honey, vanilla, and sugar till combined. Let it come to a light boil and then simmer for 2-3 mins.
- Drizzle this over the oats mixture and mix well.
- Spread evenly in a a lined baking tray and bake for about 20 mins, till golden in color.
- Remove from oven; immediately stir in dried fruit. Cool completely and store in air-tight container.
Note: Use nuts of your choice, fruits of your choice and seeds of your choice. Add or subtract and you will have what you like!!
You can also make granola bars of it. Simply after mixing everything, place it in a baking tray. Press the top to even it. And let it set in refrigerator till st, around 1-2 hours. Then cut it in bars to keep a handy healthy snack, ready for your kids or for yourself too!!
You can also make granola bars of it. Simply after mixing everything, place it in a baking tray. Press the top to even it. And let it set in refrigerator till st, around 1-2 hours. Then cut it in bars to keep a handy healthy snack, ready for your kids or for yourself too!!
Berry Parfait Recipe:
Ingredients
2 cups thick yogurt
1 cup berries (fresh or frozen)
3 tbsp honey
1 tbsp sugar (if needed)
3-4 tbsp granola or
4 tbsp oats + 1 tbsp sugar + 1/2 tsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp thick cream, if desired
Method:
Ingredients
2 cups thick yogurt
1 cup berries (fresh or frozen)
3 tbsp honey
1 tbsp sugar (if needed)
3-4 tbsp granola or
4 tbsp oats + 1 tbsp sugar + 1/2 tsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp thick cream, if desired
Method:
- Stir yogurt with honey and keep in refigerator for chilling
- Heat berries in a small saucepan for about 5-7 mins, with 1 tbsp sugar (if berries are little tart), till its softened and juice is formed. Retain some texture of the berries.
- Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
- If using oats and not granola, then lightly toss the oats in a saucepan with sugar and cocoa powder till lightly roasted, about 5 mins.
- For assembly, take individual glasses, spoon chilled yogurt. Layer it with chilled berry mixture and granola. Repeat the layers again. And top it with a tbsp of whipped cream and berries.
- Serve chilled
Aah, this remind me that I tried to freeze my parfait once, as I read somewhere that it makes a great frozen dessert. And I had to seriously repent my decision since the whole mixture got so frozen that it was just not manageable to get the taste in that form. So for me a chilled version works perfectly fine. And this too you customize as per your taste, with your choice of berries and your type of topping and your level of sweetness.
Sending the Granola as my entry to Only Baked event, started by Pari and Kid's Delight - Crunchy Snacks, started by Srivalli.
very nice presentation..was nice to do the marathon with you!
ReplyDeletetempting :) great knowing you thru the BM !!
ReplyDeleteKalyani
New Event: Indian Mithai Mela ending 8th Aug
Ongoing Event : Dish it out- Mushroom and Onions – all this July
I totally love granola and your parfait is totally tempting :) Wish I could grab that glass from the pic now :)
ReplyDeleteParfait looks excellent.Great pics.
ReplyDeleteDeepa
Hamaree Rasoi
Your parfait looks yummy. I too love making granola at home.
ReplyDeleteYum, that sure looks healthy and delicious both :)
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to make granola. Looks good. Parfait looks so inviting. As always clicks are great :)
ReplyDeleteVardhini
Event: Fast food not Fat food
First time here...lovely space...loved the clicks...Following you...
ReplyDeleteParfait looks superb...beautiful presentation..
Very tempting dessert..
ReplyDeleteYou did a blogging marathon huh? That's incredible, I wouldn't ever be able to stick to such a challenge, really! Btw, I just saw your mail. Sorry for the delay in getting back, I've actually been too busy with preparations for Ramadan and then our vacation too. Well, back to your idea, it sounds great! Count me in, I'm sure it's gonna be a great learning experience for all of us. Oh btw I do have a salad recipe for your event in my draft. Hope I get to publish it before the month end :) Cheers!
ReplyDeleteawesomely delicious and healthy.....yumm
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, you have a lovely space here, beautiful clicks and lovely recipes. Like the wholewheat cookies and baked potatoes!
ReplyDeleteThanks all of you for your kind words!!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I always wanted to make granola bar at home or at least crumbles like you did .. but the husband is tired of eating granola!! this looks so colorful and healthy!
ReplyDeleteThe granola looks fabulous! Love to have it for breakfast or snack!
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, I had used both Butter and Olive Oil for my "jumbo" muffin bake and they had turned out perfect. I didn't miss out on the excess butter. Next time I bake, I plan on skipping the butter all-together and substitute it with Yogurt and see what happens!
A tasty combination! That parfait looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Rosa
Love granola & parfait..I usually buy readymade granola..maybe should try at home!
ReplyDeleteAwesome pictures, and a wonderful dish for kids..
ReplyDeletewow ! very beautifully created recipe of granola.....love th clicks too...
ReplyDeletechk out my August Event on Berries...hope to see recipes form you.....and a chance to guest host too!