Golden Granola (Healthy Recipes For Pregnant Mums)

This crunchy topping takes little time to prepare and makes a welcome change from plain muesli. It is delicious sprinkled over poached fruits, sliced bananas, strawberries or natural yogurt.

Serve 6

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons sunflower oil

2 tablespoons clear honey

2 tablespoons light muscovado sugar

25g (1 oz) butter

4 tablespoons sesame seeds

4 tablespoons sunflower seeds

4 tablespoons flaked almonds

100g (3 1/2 oz) porridge oats

2 tablespoons wheatgerm (optional)

Instruction:

Put the oil, honey, sugar and butter into a frying pan and heat until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved.  Stir in the seeds, almonds, oats and wheatgerm, if using. Mix well, then spread the oat mixture in a thin, even layer on a baking sheet.

Place the oat mixture in a preheated oven, 180 C (350 F), Gas Mark 4, for 8 minutes. Then stir well so that the paler mixture in the centre is moved to the outside edges of the baking sheet. Cook for a further 2-4 minutes until evenly browned, then leave to cool.

Break oak mixture into pieces, place in an airtight jar or plastic container and seal tightly. The oat mixture can be stored in a coot cupboard for up to 2 weeks.

Bonus Points

The soluble fibre in oats is believed to help lower blood cholesterol levels.

Wheatgerm is a healthy addition to this recipe as it is rich in B vitamins, iron, vitamin E and protein. Buy it plain or toasted from health food shops