I just bought some special nougat the other day (I say ‘special’ because of the price!) and it got me wondering about how it’s actually made.  I love the colours, textures and of course the sweet taste!  After researching recipes on the internet, I came across these amazing images of some almond nougat on deliciousdays.com and just had to share their recipe with you! 

What do you think of nougat… is it a bit like Marmite in the way that you either love it or hate it?   

You will need:

• 100g almonds, peeled
• 200g whole hazelnuts
• 100g unsalted pistachios, peeled
• 2 large egg whites
• 250g Acacia honey
• 1 vanilla bean (scraped out seeds)
• 200g fine sugar
• 3 tbsp syrup (sugar/water mix 50:50)
• optionally: wafer papers for baking

Click here for the recipe

Images via deliciousdays.com

Posted by Emily

You might also like:

Granola bars might look healthy but the reality is, most shop-bought ones are packed full of sugar and other nasty things that sneakily cause our waistlines to expand!  But fear not, as not all granola bars are unhealthy.  I’ve found this yummy recipe that will have you ditching those chocolate bars in no time!

You will need:

- 2 cups oats
- 3/4 cup wheat germ
- 3/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 cup peanuts, crushed
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 4 Tbsp butter
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
- approximately 8 oz. dried fruit

Method:

- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C.

- Crush the peanuts

- Mix the peanuts, oats, wheat germ, and sunflower seeds in a baking dish.

- Toast the mixture in the oven for 10-12 minutes, stirring every few minutes so that they don’t get burned.

- Prepare a glass baking dish (about 11 x 13 inches) for your granola by lining it with waxed paper lightly sprayed with a nonstick spray.

- Put the brown sugar, honey, butter, vanilla, and salt into a saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly.

- Once the grains and nuts are toasted, mix everything together in a large bowl.

- Mix well and then place granola mixture into your prepared baking dish

- Fold over the sides of the waxed paper or add a sheet on top, and press all over the granola. You want to compact it together so that your bars won’t fall apart when you cut them.

- Wait 2-3 hours or until the granola has totally cooled.  Cut and enjoy!

Tip: Try leaving out the peanuts next time, making the granola ’nutless’ at first, then during the pressing-down part, press almonds into the top of the bars.  Other options are macadamia nuts, dried pineapple, and coconut flakes, dried cranberries, walnuts, white chocolate chips… the list is endless!!

Images and recipe via joyfulabode.com.

Posted by Emily

You might also like:

If I don’t start the day off with a ‘proper’ breakfast, you can almost guarantee that come lunchtime, I’ll be nibbling on a chocolate bar.  This is exactly what I want to avoid, so a healthy, substantial breakfast is what’s needed.  It’s easy to get sick of the same old thing, so I’m always looking for fresh ideas.  I found this yummy Nutty Breakfast Parfait recipe on the California Walnuts website… perfect!

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats   
1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped  
1/3 cup pure maple syrup, divided
2 tsp butter   
2 cups sliced hulled strawberries 
2 cups thinly sliced, peeled peaches  
1 cup blueberries
1 cup cubed peeled kiwifruit (about 3) 
2 cups non-fat plain yoghurt

Method:

Mix oats and walnuts in 13 x 9 x 2-inch (33 x 23 x 5 cm) baking tray.

Combine 1/4 cup (50 ml) of the maple syrup and butter in small saucepan. Bring to boil. Pour maple syrup mixture over oat mixture; stir to blend well.

Bake for around 10 minutes at 375°F (190°C) oven, stirring occasionally, until mixture is golden and crisp. Cool granola completely in pan.

Gently toss strawberries, peaches, blueberries, kiwifruit and remaining maple syrup in large bowl to blend. Divide half of the fruit mixture among 6 parfait or wine glasses. Sprinkle each parfait with half the granola mixture, dividing equally.  Top each with half of the yoghurt. Repeat layers. Serve immediately.

Makes 6 servings.

Posted by Emily

You might also like: