NO BAKE SPELT CEREAL & NUT GRANOLA, Indulgence, oat-free, Easy, Vegan & spelt-free option

Memorable Sweet Granola staves off hunger pangs after intense activity...

More recipes & the Meat-Eaters View of Vegans below...

Memorable easy-peasy Sweet Granola globs: ultra yummy, ultra marvellous. 
'Wow; it makes me not care that it's sweeter than usual.' 'Great juicy mix with sudden unexpected chocolate.'

This delicious, sweet high protein granola was originally going to be post-workout cereal bars for gym sessions too early for breakfast beforehand.

However the recipe* 67 adapted didn't work as expected - the Blogger was recovering from a nasty cold.  It did produce, however, utterly memorable sweet clumpy nutty granola instead.  It was divided into portions and packed into sealable sandwich bags.   

The granola is a bit sticky to eat but takes the edge off hunger pangs.  It also makes great treats for elevenses or the commute home.  

67 hesitated before posting this because the ingredients will cost, especially if using lower-gluten higher-protein spelt products.  Even if the cupboard's already stocked with dried fruit, nuts and seeds, and extra purchases aren't necessary,  the bars really are a financial Indulgence.

Still, the granola is a-ma-zing: very tasty and full of nutrition.  And - with the inclusion of puffed cereal - it brings back good childhood memories.  

To keep the sugar content as low as possible, 67 used unsweetened spelt puffs, kept dried fruit to a minimum and concentrated on coconut, seeds and nuts.  Despite that, the the mix is still sweeter than is probably good for you and it's recommended only after a good work-out or for a special occassional brunch.  

Cost: from scratch, a lot; otherwise depends on what's in the cupboard
Makes:  25 decent portions but recipe halves nicely

Ingredients:
    4 cups unsweetened puffed spelt or other mixed cereals 
    1 cup spelt flakes
    1 1/2 cups mixed nuts, seeds, unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut and/or dried fruit and chocolate chips  

    56gm/2oz butter or vegan butter substitute, coarsely chopped
    1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
    1/3 cup packed light brown sugar 
    1/2 tsp salt

    1/3 cup sugar-free nut butter, smooth for choice but crunchy is ok
    1 tsp vanilla

Method

1. Line an 8"x12"/20x30cm pan with greaseproof paper
2. Mix dry ingred (not incl chocolate chips) in a large bowl, distributing elements evenly
3. Heat fat, honey, sugar & salt in a small saucepan over high heat; bring to a boil; bubble 1 min
4. Take off heat; whisk in peanut butter & vanilla till blended
5. While stirring the dry ingredients, drizzle liquid over; mix thoroughly
6. If using chocolate chips, allow mix to cool 5 minutes before adding
7. Scrape into a pan, press down to form an even layer; cool 1 hour  
8. If you can cut them into bars which hold together, all well and good; otherwise, break it up and turn it into speciality granola 
9. Store in an air-tight container up to 10 days

Comments:

'Just been to the gym and the mix is great.  It's juicy with my favourite yum food, peanut butter, and there are sudden hits of chocolate amidst seeds & fruit. It's set me up for my ride home.'  Middle-aged politico cyclist

'67 is usually fairly restrained where sweetness is concerned; this mix is unashamedly sweet but perfectly calibrated.  I did not care that the sugars might be counteracting the benefits of everything else - though I won't be having any sugar in my coffee when eating this!' Retired writer

*adapted from BA magazine

Tips:

• Frugal Option: replace spelt with unsweetened puffed cereal and oats 
• If you're going all out, drizzle with melted 70% chocolate

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  This recipe has been developed by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises.  They may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.
  
  
  

SOFT LETTUCE SALAD WITH GREEN HERB DRESSING, Frugal, Vegan Option, Easy-peasy

English lettuces dipped in creamy herb dressing is welcome in any season...

updated June 2020; photos 21.jan.16

Lettuce Salad with Green Herb Dressing - so welcome even if it's still raining! 

Round English lettuces are back in most supermarkets at very reasonable prices: well under a pound.  The leaves are crisp, juicy, crunchy and extremely more-ish when the body's been starved of salad during sub-zero temperatures.

Dressed with Green Herb Dressing, the salad makes a satisfying side dish. The dressing blends strained zero-fat yoghurt with mayonnaise and at least two of: parsley, chives, basil, spring onions.

A bonus?  Kids will love watching you deal with the lettuce and it might spur them into a love of cooking.

The lovely low-cal, low-cholesterol treat should set you back no more than a pound and feed a family of 3-4.  


Ingredients: 

    1 round English lettuce 

   6 tbsp Greek or Icelandic strained 0-fat yoghurt
   2 tbsp mayonnaise
   3-4 tsp mixed herbs: parsley, chives, basil, spring onions

Method:

1. Remove scruffy, limp outer leaves from lettuce but leave the lettuce whole.  Run cold water over the leaves and shake thoroughly.  Wrap the lettuce in paper towels or a clean tea towel. 
2. Have a good sized plate ready.  Sharply bang the knob on the bottom of the lettuce on a hard surface, then hold the lettuce over the plate, leaves facing upwards.  Twist the knob and remove.  The leaves will fall - flower-like- onto the plate.
3. Blitz the yoghurt, mayo and chosen herbs until the mix takes on a pale green colour and is flecked with herbs. Season.  Pour into a small bowl and place in the middle of the lettuce leaves.

Vegan Option: use vegan mayo & yoghurt

Vegetarianism & Essential Amino Acids plus Cooking Clever with Pulses: How to..on NavBar    

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 :

This recipe has been developed by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.