Pear, Hazelnut and Ginger Granola - by Kate Walsh

Ingredients

"Learning the simple art of making granola will wean you off supermarket breakfast cereals forever. And there is something so satisfying about the sweet smell of toasty granola fresh out of the oven. Making it is a regular ritual in my household, so there is always a huge jar of it in the pantry." - Kate Walsh.

1 free-range egg white
1 Tbs cold water
1 Tbs light-tasting vegetable oil
90 g (3¼ oz/¼ cup) honey
1 tsp natural vanilla extract
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
145 g (5 oz/1½ cups) rolled (porridge) oats (not the instant or quick-cooking variety)
100 g (3½ oz/½ cup) quinoa
40 g (1½ oz/¼ cup) pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
75 g (2½ oz/½ cup) hazelnuts, skins removed, roughly chopped
135 g (4¾ oz/¾ cup) dried pears, diced
110 g (3¾ oz/½ cup) unsugared crystallised ginger, cut into bite-sized pieces

Makes 1 litre (32 oz) jar.

Method

Preheat the oven to 160ºC (315ºF) and line a large baking tray with baking paper. It’s best to use a tray that has sides, so the granola doesn’t spill out everywhere.

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg white and water until slightly foamy. Add the oil, honey and vanilla extract and give it a good stir.

Add the rest of the ingredients, except the dried pear and ginger. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon, making sure all the ingredients are well coated.

Evenly spread the mixture over the lined baking tray, making sure the layer is no more than 1 cm (½ inch) thick, otherwise the granola won’t crisp up nicely.

Toast in the oven for 30 minutes, or until golden brown, stirring every 10 minutes.

Allow to cool to room temperature, then break into small pieces, into a large clean bowl. Mix the dried pears and ginger through.

Transfer to a large jar or airtight container and store in the pantry. The granola will keep for up to 1 month.

How to use:

Add melted butter and extra honey and press into a tin for granola bars.

Bake without the nuts and serve as a healthy snack for kids’ lunchboxes.

Increase the amount of dried fruit and use as a healthy trail mix.

Use the same process, omitting the grains and increasing the amounts and variety of nuts and seeds for a paleo granola.

Credits: Recipes and images from Real Food Projects by Kate Walsh (Murdoch Books) $39.99 available now in all good bookstores and online

Photo Credits: Recipes and images from Real Food Projects by Kate Walsh (Murdoch Books) $39.99 available now in all good bookstores and online