Pear and Brazil nut granola

When I woke up this morning it was a miserable wet day in Cornwall, the perfect day to get experimenting in the kitchen!

I have been making granola for years now and have tried many different nut / fruit / seed combos but this tasty version is my current favourite. You can mix it up by swapping the dried pear for your favourite fruit - figs or apricots are always good.

I like to make a nice big batch and keep it in an airtight container - this lasts me for a few weeks!

Ingredients:

- handful of Brazil nuts

- handful of mixed almonds and cashews

- 2 mugs gluten-free oats (I use Nairns)

- 2 tbsp desiccated coconut 

- 2 tbsp linseeds

- 2 tbsp ground linseed

- handful of dried pear (can be found at most health food stores)

- 1/2 mug coconut oil

-1/4 mug honey

Method:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180c, then Roughly chop the nuts, I use a large knife but if you have a food processor than give them a quick whizz!

2. Measure 2 mugs (I use an average-sized coffee mug) of oats into a large mixing bowl, then add the nuts, seeds and coconut.

3. Melt the coconut oil and add to the dry mixture along with the honey, stirring together until the dry oats and nuts are coated.

4. Tip the granola mix onto a baking tray and press down with a spoon so the mixture is tightly packed. (This helps the oats and nuts to stick together so that they can be broken into clusters later)

5. Place tray on the middle shelf in the oven, make sure you stay in the room as you will need to give the granola a stir every 5 minutes! Make sure you press it down each time. 

6. When the mix is golden brown all over (this should only take around 20 mins) take it out of the oven and leave to cool.

7. Once the mixture is cool break it up, hopefully it will create nice clusters of crunchy goodness! Add the dried pear and stir together. Finally put most of the mixture in an airtight container and the rest in a bowl to eat now!

I like my granola with a generous serving of fruit; my favourite are figs, banana and blueberry, along with some almond milk or natural yoghurt.

My granola makes the perfect speedy breakfast or amazing post-uni snack!