Thursday, October 14, 2010

MOVE OVER COCOA POPS!!!





During the school/work week I normally prepare a hot breakfast for my darlings (!) but I feel weekends are about R&R and cooked breakfasts are not an option (other than the odd lazy brunch).  Son #2 has recently joined a new soccer team that can require quite early Sunday morning starts, and I wanted to have something nutritious and filling available (which would still allow me/us to milk every last second of lie-in time!!!).

Brownieville Boy (!?!) has a slight massive chocolate addiction, so I reckoned that if I sneaked some healthy ingredients in with some chocolate I'd be onto a winner!!  Then when I saw that this month's We Should Cocoa Challenge was to prepare something with both chocolate and hazelnuts, I clicked !  What would a cocoa and hazelnut granola taste like????  What about making a granola, chock full of healthy seeds and nuts, flavouring it with cocoa and then adding some small chocolate chunks? He'd have his chocolate hit, and also the slow release carbs to fuel his exploits on the pitch.  Would I create the next (much better looking!!) Wayne Rooney? Would it taste good?  Will Trappatoni (Irish Football Manager) come calling???

The granola is actually really good - I have made a couple of batches, and have discovered that if I make it minus chocolate chunks Brownieville Man (!) loves it too.  The cocoa gives a subtle background flavour that really works well at breakfast time - he actually prefers it to my more normal cinnamon version.  RESULT!!!




Cocoa and Hazelnut Granola


300g                      porridge oats
2 heaped tbsp        pumpkin seeds
2 heaped tbsp        sesame seeds
2 heaped tbsp        linseeds
2 heaped tbsp        sunflower seeds
1 heaped tbsp        cocoa (sifted)
2 heaped tbsp        soft brown sugar
100ml                    honey/maple syrup
150g                      toasted hazelnuts (or just plain if you don't mind the skin)
1 tbsp                    rapeseed/sunflower oil
75g                        good dark chocolate - chopped small (optional)

Preheat oven to 150 C

Pour all the ingredients (except chocolate) into a baking tray and bake for about 30 minutes, stirring regularly after 10 minutes.  Ovens vary greatly, it could be ready after 20 minutes (you'll know when the oats begin to colour and the nuts release their beautiful smell).
Allow to cool completely. 
Add chocolate pieces if using.
Store in a pretty jar (if you're into that type of thing!!)


I'll let you know about all offers for the sporting big time!

31 comments:

Unknown said...

you, young lady, are on a dangerous road to 'chocolate with everything'... and why not I say?... now where's my chocolate covered chicken nuggets?

Unknown said...

This looks fabulous, something I would love to try

Brownieville Girl said...

Dom - they are right beside your chocolate stuffed croquette potatoes!!

Thanks Jennifurla, I think it is worth a go - and the recipe is easily halved!!

Jayanthy Kumaran said...

thats fascinating...cant wait to try now...

Tasty Appetite

Unknown said...

hang on... chocolate stuffed croquettes... now it's just a thought but i'm seeing a cook-book, if not a TV show...

Susi's Kochen und Backen said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog :o)
This granola looks lovely! You really can't go wrong starting your day with a little bit of chocolate :o)

Chele said...

What a great idea! LOVE it and such a great way of combining chocolate and hazelnuts for this months challenge ;0)

Anonymous said...

That's a GREAT idea. Can't wait to try this!

Lucie said...

This is a wonderful idea. What a good Mummy you are too :) xx

Brownieville Girl said...

Not sure about good Mother bit, Lucie!!!

Thanks Chele and AB :-}

Thanks for stopping by Susi.

Dom - I'll credit you with the idea in the book's introduction!!!!! (and of course a guest spot on the show;-})

Maria♥ said...

I love granola, especially the home-made kind! This looks so good and a recipe I must try.

Maria
x

Rhyleysgranny said...

I am not generally a granola lover but like your son I might just change my mind...............:)

Zoe said...

Definitely more delicious than cocoa pops!

Sommer said...

I am laughing at a better looking Wayne Rooney!!! Hahaha!! That granola looks quite delicious! My husband and daughter would love this as they love chocolate an granola! Definitely trying this!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow.... what a great recipe. Thanks for sharing.

Kelly-Jane said...

Looks lovely, a nice change from normal!

Jacqueline Meldrum said...

Mmmmmmmm, that sounds delicious. I am going to give this a go :)

Lisa said...

This reminds me of the Ferrero Rocher chocolates I enjoy so much. Sounds like a winning combination.

Bigarade said...

it reminded me of ferrero rocher tooo!!
This sounds so delicious,i don't like milk though...id melt it,so the chocolate goes gooey and holds the cereal together and make a cereal bar...good thinking batman!

Julie said...

Sounds like a fabulous snack to me!

Chef Dennis Littley said...

I have never seen granola with cocoa in it, what a great idea! I can see why your son enjoys it1

Choclette said...

Way to go, excellent idea. What a wonderful mum you are. Making granola has been on my list for a long time now, but if I ever do get around to it, think I might be following your recipe.

freerangegirl said...

BG this looks so good - worth getting out of bed for! I'm saving this to make at half term x

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

The granola sounds easy and looks like it is good for you too. Thank you for visiting and commenting on my blog. I'm looking forward to many visits to your blog.

HanaĆ¢ said...

What a great combination! I'd probably stop skipping breakfast with granola that good :o)
I'm trying really hard NOT to click on the "we should cocoa" link because I'll be thinking about participating all day and not get anything done, haha.

Anonymous said...

what a perfect way to start your breakfast:) thanks for sharing.

Brownieville Girl said...

Thanks Guys!!

Bigarade - great idea, it would be nice mixed with heated condenced milk, and made into bars. Think I'll have to try it!

Hanaa - go ahead - you know you want to!!!!!!!

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog.

Your coco granola looks great, and I bet it would make a great mid-nite snack!

Yum!

Joy Tilton said...

So excited you paid me a visit today, I love your recipe and your blog...can't wait to look over all the goodies you have posted! Come visit me again, the Welcome Mat is always out!

Unknown said...

This is what I imagine Ferrero Rocher breakfast cereal would taste like (and I mean that as a big compliment, F.Rs are my drug of choice!) I don't think it would make it into the pretty jar - it's more of a 'eat handfuls out of the tray' affair!

Jutta said...

Oh that is my sort of granola! Will have to go onto my must make list. Chocolate and hazelnut...two of my favourite ingredients.