Granola jars with fruit compote

Granola is wonderfully crunchy mix of seeds and cereals toasted with a light coating of either maple syrup or honey. It is nutritious because it contains a mixture of whole grain oats, nuts and seeds. Granola is high in fibre and contains lots of energy which if eaten at breakfast is released slowly into the bloodstream helping to keep hunger at bay until lunchtime. This recipe makes a lovely snack too. Perfect for after a workout or an exercise class.

Ingredients

Makes about 8 servings

200 g rolled oats

60 g almond nibs or flakes

60 g walnuts

60 g pumpkin seeds

30 g tbsp flax seeds

30 g desiccated coconut

4 tbsp maple syrup or Golden syrup

2 tbsp mild flavoured vegetable oil such as rapeseed oil

1 tsp vanilla essence

4 tbsp raisins

Strawberry compote

200 g strawberries

1 tsp sugar (optional)

1 tbsp water

1 tsp lemon juice

To serve: Oat Drink, yogurt; blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and Kiwi fruit.

Method

Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6.

Place the dry ingredients (rolled oats, nuts, seeds and desiccated coconut) in one bowl.

In another bowl whisk together the wet ingredients (maple syrup or golden syrup, vegetable oil and vanilla essence).

Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and combine, making sure the oats and seeds are well coated.

Spread the mixture out loosely on a baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Half way through the cooking time open the oven door, stir the granola and check it is not scorching around the edge. Continue cooking the granola until it is just turning golden brown. Do not be tempted to cook the granola for too long. When the granola is removed from the oven it is soft but it hardens as it cools. Stir the raisins into the granola when it has cooled and store in an air tight container.

For the compote: remove the green stalk from the strawberries and roughly chop the flesh. Place the chopped strawberries in a saucepan with the sugar, if using, water and a little lemon juice and cook gently for about 10 minutes. The strawberries should be soft but still retain some shape. Allow the strawberries to cool a little before tasting. Add a little more sugar or lemon juice if required.

To assemble the granola pots: place a tablespoon of strawberry compote in the bottom of a glass serving dish, followed by a sprinkling of granola. Serve with Outdrink, yogurt and a selection of chopped fruit.