I [sort of don’t] Quit Sugar: Granola
On the advice of a sensible friend who recently quit sugar and has not cried into her vodka soda once about it, I picked up Sarah Wilson’s new cook book in the flesh the other day. I already had her book on kindle but since I decided to catch up on six seasons of Mad Men I don’t even know where the kindle is. There’s nothing like flicking through an actual real life book when cooking.
It’s called I Quit Sugar which I know is going to put some of you off and draw others like a bear to honey. Perhaps, like me, you fit into both categories.
This is a fantastic cookbook although I am not sure about the name. While it will immediately appeal to the anti-sugar purists (I tried and failed this and am now simply anti-purist) it has loads of really gorgeous recipes suited to the committed sweet toother. Some of the really beautiful ‘sweet’ recipes in it that are actually sweet enough on their own, or alternatively lend themselves really well to a few glugs of maple syrup or coconut sugar (my two favourite sweeteners).
This is my own version (very close to the original) of Sarah’s Coco-Nutty Granola as I have made it twice now – the first time it was quite easy, the second time it was ridiculously easy and “ridiculously easy” is a pre-requisite for getting a recipe up here. I’ve linked the title above to Sarah Wilson’s recipe at her website.
Coco-Nutty Granola
Ingredients:
- 3 cups unsweetened coconut flakes (or shredded)
- 2 -3 cups nuts (I used almonds, brazil nuts and cashews)
- handful chia seeds
- handful goji berries (optional)
- 1 tbsp spice (cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg)
- 80g coconut oil
- big splash of maple syrup (optional)
- 1/2 – 1 cup raw muesli (fine without this)
- a few apricots
Method:
- Preheat oven to 120* C.
- Use a food processor/thermomix to chop nuts, apricots – not too fine.
- Combine all ingredients and spread on a baking tray covered with baking paper (it doesn’t matter if it’s a little deep).
- Bake for 20 mins, toss and turn, keep baking till golden brown.
Sarah’s recipe calls for a total baking time of 20 mins but mine took closer to 40 so just keep an eye on it.
Brazil nuts are a good inclusion if you want to up your selenium intake as they are a very rich source. If you’re having trouble finding unsweetened coconut flakes, try the link in the recipe or here and check out Supercharged Food, it’s a great site for whole-foodies and a flat shipping fee of $10.50.
3 Replies to “I [sort of don’t] Quit Sugar: Granola”
Ooh didn’t think about adding the spices. I also put pepitas and sunflower seeds in. And yes agree 20 mins not enough …or maybe we both just like it extra crunchy . Have you tried the chocolate bark in the book yet? I can’t get rice malt syrup anywhere?
No I haven’t Joc but I was showing it to Claudia and we were both drooling! I went and asked Woollies for rice malt syrup, Pure Harvest does one, to no avail. I’ve found a couple online but with expensive shipping so am going to try and source it at Manna Wholefoods or Nature’s Harvest. I will let you know.
Joc I got some rice malt syrup (Pure Harvest) today at Coles, it was about $3.60 for a jar. I also saw one similar in Jacks. It’s a good sweetener if you don’t want a honey or maple taste to whatever you’re sweetening – it’s a very ‘neutral’ taste.