Baked Goodies

Healthy Start - Granola & Berry Parfait

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!!

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:

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.