LUXURY MAPLE NUT SPELT GRANOLA: lower-sugar/gluten/cost; oatmeal option

Luxury Granola made with spelt...or more wallet-friendly oatmeal.

Easy on the digestive system, high fibre, healthy

'It's a really good breakfast blend!'  'Excellent mixture of nuts & seeds, quality flakes and a hint of maple syrup. Tried it dry (great for snacks), with cold milk and hot milk - all excellent. ' Tasters 

Judging by the number of spelt products available in the shops, the ancient grain is now a popular wheat substitute.  

Spelt's qualities are many: it contains some gluten but it's more digestible than wheat, making the body less prone to bloating. It is higher in protein than oatmeal but is equally rich in fibre and similarly cuts the risk of heart disease, speeds up the digestive process and eliminates toxins.  

Spelt's health bonus: half a cup provides 8% of daily iron needs.

You can buy spelt flour, pasta (doesn't swell up like wheat but won't leave you in a carb-coma), puffed cereal and porridge-like flakes.  You can even find breakfast cereal flakes*  - totally sugar free - which are as crisp and crunchy and satisfying as any Kellogs cereal!

What isn't great about spelt is that it tends to come as organic and, going through a different production process, is priced accordingly.  67goingon50 thinks it's worth it.

Especially in this week's recipe for a luxury version of Spelt Granola that's also a little less expensive than the outrageous prices some spelt granolas sell for.  This recipe is based on 67's very popular Sugar-Free Uber Granola (oatmeal and spelt). 

Unlike Uber Granola, however, Luxury Maple Nut Spelt Granola breaks 67's usual no/low-sugar guidance.  While still rich in seeds and nuts, the spelt granola  includes maple syrup (!!) for sweetness and for that slightly clumpy nugget-y texture.

Spelt granola does not have the crunchiness of usual granolas.  Spelt flakes are steamed, rolled and lightly toasted and don't need to spend as much time in the oven for granola.  Spelt porridge doesn't need as much liquid as oatmeal and tends not to be as creamy -- making it the perfect companion to plain Greek yoghurt.  

But whether eaten by the handful or cooked as porridge, Luxury Maple Nut Spelt Granola will have definite appeal.  

Cost: about £4

Makes: 400gm

Ingred:

400gm/14oz spelt flakes 

2oz/53g dried, unsweetened coconut

2 oz/53g sunflower seeds

2 oz/53g sesame seeds

2 oz/53g pumpkin seeds

2 oz/53g chopped walnuts or almonds 

2 tablespoons sunflower or other veg oil (not olive)

few drops of vanilla

          80-100ml maple syrup, to taste

Method:

1.  Heat oven to 190C/375F/gas mark 5

2.  Mix dry ingredients.  Add sunflower oil and vanilla; stir.

3.  Pour into a 9" x 11" low-sided pan.  Bake in centre of oven 10 mins; remove from oven; pour over maple syrup in an uneven stream; stir lightly to make clumps; return to oven a further 10mins or until toasty and smelling irresistible  

4.  Serve as is with raisins or fresh berries and yoghurt, cream or milk

5.  When cool pour into an air tight container OR if you're a singleton who likes VERY fresh granola, make up portions in sealable sandwich bags and freeze 

6. PORRIDGE: measure out 1/4 to 1/3 cup granola per person, stir in 2.5 times water or milk; bring to the boil.  Reduce heat to low; simmer 2-5 min or until soft 

*Pomona, Belsize Park

COMMENTS: 

'Excellent mixture of fresh nuts, toasted pumpkin seeds and quality jumbo spelt oats, with a hint of maple syrup.  Tried it dry (great for snacks), with cold milk and hot milk. In summary, excellent.' Ex-military officer

'It's a really good tasty breakfast blend.  A reason to buy the upcoming book alone!' Political Agent (67 says: unfortunately it won't be in the upcoming book which is about Frugal Fabulous Food and this recipe is not frugal!)

Tips:

• Replace spelt porridge flakes with oatmeal; bake at 375F/190C/gas mark 5 for 20-25 mins, following instruction 3,  or until brown and smelling lovely; add 3X the amount of water when cooking porridge
• Prices of spelt porridge flakes Oct 2021: 500g, £2.89'ish
• this recipe is not suitable for toddlers or the elderly 
• if feeling budget-conscious, reduce seeds & nuts by half; seeds keep well in an air-tight container

                                                                

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These recipes have been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced without the author's written permission