It was dark, it was cold and we were all snuggled in our comfy, ok somewhat comfortable, bunk beds on grade nine camp when the horn blew.
It was 5am and apparently that was an acceptable waking time on school camp.
Our camp just happened to be on a macadamia farm.
I think there was some sort of con that exploited we young workers but early that morning we were set off to the farm to pick macadamias.
Little did I know that we were also picking Australia's only native food (that's commercially produced).
Today I'd welcome picking my own produce but as a 14 year old I wasn't so keen although I did love macadamias even then.
There's something about their creamy texture that is so addictive.
Until recently I didn't know that eating them was actually good for me.
I knew they had the good fats that all nuts do but did you know they've also got a bunch of heart-protective nutrients and they're a good source of antioxidants (to make us look young and pretty) and they're rich in fibre and protein so they make a great snack.
You know what else they're great in?
Muesli!
I always make my own but as I was getting ready to make a new batch a few weeks ago, I took one look at the kilogram of macadamias in the fridge and decided they had to be in my muesli. What a great decision.
I also tried a new technique thanks to my friend Kristin.
When I first started making muesli I used to add oil and honey and sugar and all sorts of things to try and make it crunchy and sweet.
Then I realised it didn't really need all this just a touch of sweetness and a bit of water.
Kristin let me in on her trick that she saw in a Bill Granger book - apple juice. It provides just enough liquid and sweetness to give the muesli the perfect crunch and flavour.
The toasted macadamias just tip it over the edge of deliciousness.
It is so scrumptious I have had it for breakfast nearly every morning since I made the first batch and yesterday whipped up a second one.
I don't put fruit in my muesli because I'm not a fan of dried fruit but you could swap out some of the nuts and seeds for dried fruit if you wish.
Once you've made your own muesli you will wonder why you ever bought it.
It is so very simple and super tasty (well this version is!).
Measure out all the dry ingredients and then stir them all together.
I nearly forgot second most important ingredient - cinnamon.
Oh how I love cinnamon.
Don't forget to add it to the dry ingredients too!
Ok so I actually forgot to add the cinnamon before the apple juice that's why the photos are out of order but I'm sure you'll catch on.
Once you've mixed up all the dry ingredients, pour in the apple juice.
It needs to be stirred through until all the oats are coated.
Spread the muesli onto a lined baking tray. I use super-size baking paper and extend it over the edge.
It means no cleaning up and makes it much easier to transfer it to a container when it's ready.
Bake the muesli for one hour at 120C fan-forced or until it is golden.
Every 15 minutes or so, give it a stir with a fork to make sure the bottom bits get a turn on the top.
Leave the toasted muesli to cool completely on the tray.
Then you can play with it and take photos and make a big mess.
Or you can bottle it up like a normal person.
It makes a very cute gift.
If you're not going to share, store it in an air-tight container in the fridge. Enjoy!
What about you? What's the worst thing you had to do on school camp?
Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats
- ¼ cup dessicated coconut
- ½ cup mixed seeds and nuts
- ¼ cup chopped macadamia nuts
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup apple juice
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 120C(250F) fan-forced.
- Line a large baking tray or large baking dish with baking paper.
- Combine all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Stir in the apple juice until all the oats are coated.
- Spread the muesli onto the baking sheet so it is evenly spread.
- Bake for one hour or until golden. Run a fork through it every 15 minutes to make sure it cooks evenly.
- Leave to cool completely on the tray.
- Store in an air-tight container in the fridge.
Thank you to Australian Macadamias for my delicious macadamia nuts.
Bec says
Yum! So making this tonight!! I have leftover macadamised from my Christmas shortbread (I know, leftover macadamias?? I hid them!) my summer camp story is pretty extreme - the camp had a pet calf. The boys along with some prank-happy staff put socks on Moo-Moo (original name) and put him in one of the girls cabins. They got a very rude and noisy wake up call a few hours later!
Karen says
Found your recipe for Macadamia muesli the other day and today is the day when my last batch of muesli has just run out. Have jotted down the ingredients and am off to the shop to gather them and give this delicious sounding recipe a go. It should be alright in my pantry, shouldn't it? - I don't think it will last long enough in our house for the nuts to go rancid!
Claire says
Karen I actually keep mine in the pantry and haven't had a problem. I just recommend keeping it in the fridge just in case. Hope you like it!
Melissa Loh says
Thanks for sharing this recipe! I've been using it to make muesli at home, though with almonds or walnuts instead of macadamias (they just don't last long enough in our home for me to put it into muesli), and it is downright delicious every time.
Claire says
I know what you mean about the nuts not lasting long enough! Glad you like it Melissa!
Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef says
I love this muesli! It looks wonderful. I'm going to make this and surprise my husband who tells me if we had some muesli he'd eat it but "You never buy any."
Claire, I tried to subscribe by email but your thingo said I needed to enter a proper email address. Maybe it doesn't like the word orgasmic LOL.
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I entered the same email address that I put on this form and I've been using this address for ages.
Claire says
Haha that must be a universal husband excuse. I hope he likes it!
I have subscribed you and sent you an email. I don't know what it's problem is. It rejected someone else yesterday and then let me do it. It has issues!
Glamorous Glutton says
Great muesli. I've bought all the ingredients to make my first ever batch of muesli. GG
Claire says
Good luck GG! I'm sure you'll love it!
Lorraine Not Quite Nigella says
Lovely looking muesli! Nigella has a similar recipe but uses apple sauce but I never have apple sauce and uses apple juice and itworks beautifully! Yours also has much less sugar and honey so it is healthier :)
Claire says
Yes I think apple juice is probably much easier to use as well.
The Café Sucré Farine says
This looks wonderful Claire, love your photos too. I didn't know how healthy these delicious nuts were, Now I feel much more justified, even impelled to eat them more often!
I have the ultimate "camp" story - we were too lazy to walk up to the dining hall for water at night. We asked the "cafeteria ladies" for a big jar. They gave us one of the huge pickle jars which we filled up with water from what we thought was a crystal-clear stream near our cabin. We had no lights in the cabin but, like normal campers, we stayed up half the night, laughing, talking and drinking our water when we were thirsty. In the morning, most of the water was gone, maybe just an inch or two left - when we looked at the remaining water we saw teeny ween fish swimming around in it! We weren't sure whether we should go to the infirmary or just eat some fish-food! :) I did live to tell the tale! :)
Claire says
Yes me too it's much easier to justify. Oh dear! I would say someone could bottle it up and market that as a product today. It would probably sell for a fortune!
Karen says
oops, I was so surprised at the fridge bit - I even spelt it wrong !
Claire says
Well I actually don't but you should keep nuts in the fridge so they don't go rancid. Having said that, I've never made myself sick from my muesli!
Karen says
....and then you keep it in the fidge?
Hotly Spiced says
You don't like dried fruit? I'm addicted to dried fruit and when I was pregnant I couldn't stop eating it. But I love macadamias too and I didn't know that's our only native food. How did the Aborigines survive! I make a bircher muesli from a Bill Granger recipe and it calls for pear juice. The pear juice is wonderful but be warned, it is hard to source. I can only find it in health food shops where it's very expensive. Beautiful images Claire xx
Claire says
I should probably re-phrase that. I don't like sultanas or any of those varieties of dried fruit but I don't mind dried mango, pineapple and apple. The mango pieces are like lollies! I think we have a lot of other native things that are edible but nothing that has actually been produced and sold.
My grandma suggested you could use any type of fruit juice you like. I'm thinking cranberry might be interesting?