My breakfast - homemade muesli

Of late I've been cutting down on the sugar in my diet. I've given up all lollies, and I only have cake every now and then, and only if it's really good cake! Anyway, I've been finding that my two pieces of toast with peanut butter for breakfast have been wearing out by 10am. Finding all the store brought cereals either way too sweet, or textured like cardboard inspired me to try some homemade cereal for breakfast. 

There are many great things about making your own muesli: you can control exactly what goes into it, and thus boost the proportion of tasty seeds, nuts and fruit; you can add less sugar; it costs way less than buying at the supermarket. This recipe is from my lovely friend and colleague Rebecca, and is published in the Lyttelton fundraising book: Harbour Kitchen. You can swap and change any of the nuts and seeds to suits your tastes - here is my version: 

Muesli

3 cups rolled oats
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup raw almonds
1 cup sunflower seeds
half a cup pumpkin seeds
half a cup coconut threads
2 tablespoons black chia seeds
1 cup dried fruit - I used a mixture of apricots and cranberries
2 tablespoons honey

Preheat the oven to 160deg. C.

Place all the ingredients except the fruit and honey into a large roasting dish and stir. 











Place in the oven for approximately 30 minutes, checking and stirring every 10 or so minutes. 

Keep a good eye on the muesli, as the nuts and coconut will easily burn. 

Remove from the oven and add the warmed honey. Stir until well combined, then add the chopped dried fruit. Allow the muesli to cool before putting into an airtight container to store.

Happy breakfasting my friends xx

The best Shortbread recipe in town...

At school we have a great tradition amongst the staff of taking turns to provide morning tea to mark our colleagues significant events. About six of us at a time bring a plate to share. Everyone takes great pride and care in making a delicious home made treat. This week my name came up and, having sat on the couch for at least half an hour contemplating the possibilities, I decided on making some shortbread. This recipe is a family favourite; the first time I made it with the fruit and nut toppings, my darling partner was slightly aghast that I was messing with perfection. However sampling the product changed his mind.

Fruit and Nut Shortbread

255g butter
115g icing sugar
115g flour
115g custard powder
115g cornflour
1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons chopped preserved ginger
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons chopped cranberries
2 tablespoons slivered almonds

Preheat the oven to 150deg. C and line a large baking sheet

Cream the butter and icing sugar until pale and fluffy.

Sift the flour, custard powder, cornflour and salt.

Fold the dry ingredients into the butter and sugar and turn out onto a sheet of plastic wrap.



Use the plastic food wrap to form the shortbread dough into a large rectangular tube shape.

Place into the fridge to chill for about 15 minutes. 



Using a sharp thin bladed knife cut the tube of dough into 5mm slices. 

Arrange the slices into the baking tray allowing enough room for them to spread.

Into one third press the ginger and walnut, in the other third the cranberries and almonds, and leave the last third plain.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The shortbread should not colour, but will be lovely, crispy and short once cooled. 

Feel free to mess with whatever topping you fancy! Happy baking xx