Wow, it’s November and it’s been a loooong time since I posted. Partly it’s because I have been saving up ideas for Vegan MoFo (woo woo) and partly it’s because I’ve been busy. But I’m really going to try to commit to this MoFo business again this year because it was so fun last year, and I got a lot out of it.
So, I’m kicking it off with my favorite breakfast cereal. Go go, Muesli!
There are a lot of reasons that I (heart) muesli. It’s really versatile, but it has less fat than granola and no added sugar. Oats are the base, which are super high in fiber and nutrients (including iron and thiamin). Best of all, you can customize the flavors of your muesli any way you like. I have listed an autumn version here, but in the spring time I might do berries and almonds and cardamom or in summer I might do pineapple and cashews and lime. You can sub in barley flakes* for some of the oats, use any kind of dried fruit or nut or seed you like. Sometimes I mix it up just because I’m trying to clean out the pantry, rather than go with a seasonal variation. These basic proportions will get you started, but mix it up however you like.
And let me know: what variations did you try?? What was successful? Or NOT??
* If using barley flakes, just note that they are not gluten-free.
Autumn Fruit Musesli
Ingredients
- 6 cups rolled oats (make sure to look for gluten-free oats if that is a concern to you)
- 1 1/2 cups pecan pieces
- 1 1/2 cups chopped dried apples
- 1 1/2 cups chopped dried banana
- 1/2 cup sunflower seed kernels
- 1/4 cup flax seeds
- 1 tbsp cinnamon (optional)
- several dashes fresh grated nutmeg (optional)
Method
Preheat oven to 350F.
If your pecan pieces are big, give them a rough chop. Spread oats and pecans over the base of a roasting pan or a few cookie sheets (I have a big tin roasting pan that I bought at the grocery store for about $1, specifically for this purpose). Cook for about 30 minutes, stirring or shaking every 10 min or so. Your nose will tell you when it’s about ready, the oats and the nuts will smell fragrant and…well, nutty. Let the mixture cool slightly.
Meanwhile, mix all remaining ingredients in a large bowl. When oat mixture is cool enough to handle, add to the bowl and toss to combine. I like to use clean hands for this.
Store in an airtight container (I use a two-quart mason jar with a lid). Serve with almond milk, non-dairy yogurt, and some seasonal fresh fruit.
Makes about 10 cups of muesli.
kat-food.com 
Ah! I believe that I finally understand what muesli is now. So, no sugar to stick it all together like granola…so it probably tastes more nutty? Mmm, your muesli really look appetizing–I’ll have to try making muesli one day. Hopefully I won’t eat it solely dry like I usually do with the rest of my cereals.
It’s nutty but the fruit and cinnamon really round it out. (The spices are completely optional by the way, I’ve made this plenty of times without adding any ground spices and it’s still good.) I definitely recommend having this with a little non-dairy milk, at least the first time you try it. I have to admit that I have eaten it dry but I think it really benefits from a little milk.
Let me know if you try it! :)