Saturday, October 27, 2012

Bircher Muesli

Not the most attractive food photo, but it is yummy, trust me!

I was a late comer to the muesli bandwagon.  As I've written previously there are some things that I rashly decided as a child I didn't like.  Pesto, parmesan, beetroot and muesli were all on that list.  Luckily I've worked out how wrong I was on each of those fronts, but the turning point for me on muesli was the first time I had bircher muesli.

It was the kind of experience that could go very, very wrong.  To start with it was very early in the morning and I was in an airport.  Hardly the location one expects for a tastebud changing experience.  But there I was, in need of breakfast.  I wanted something healthy but it also needed to be hearty, I had a long day ahead of me.  That is right healthy and hearty in an airport.  I scanned menus and finally chose the bircher muesli despite my muesli prejudice because it was served with a warm rhubarb and raspberry compote and it was by far the healthiest thing there.  Oh what a revelation.  Since then I've been happily on the muesli bandwagon, these days I even make my own.

Generally I just enjoy my muesli quickly mixed through some yogurt in the morning, but if I think ahead the night before, I like to treat myself to some bircher muesli.  Bircher muesli is how muesli was designed to be eaten.  Rather than a cruchy, chewy breakfast, the long soaking time softens all the ingredients and actually releases a lot of the natural goodness of the oats.  Traditionally the oats are soaked in a mix of fruit juice and yogurt with the apple mixed in just before serving, however I prefer to omit the juice and mix in the apple from the start.  There are many recipes out there, but this is mine:

Bircher Muesli
1/2 apple grated
4-5 tablespoons untoasted muesli
3ish tablespoons natural yogurt

Mix everything together, refrigerate overnight, serve with stewed fruit if you have some to hand and eat with gusto! 

P.S. The quantities are a bit vague because it really depends how much you like to eat for breakfast. You just want a decent balance between the apple and muesli and for everything to be nicely covered in yogurt.

8 comments:

  1. I so need to get myself organised to try this. I am quite sure that I could like it in a way that I can't like regular muesli, and if only I could push myself to move through the prejudice I could have a life changing experience of my very own!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is very different to regular muesli Kari, you should give it a go!

      Delete
  2. It looks delicious, but I'm never that diligent. I'm lucky if I can scrabble together a piece of buttered toast first thing in the morning.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The fact that you do all the work the night before is what makes this a winner. It actually takes me less time to have breakfast when I've thought ahead to make it.

      Delete
  3. Muesli with yoghurt is like my go-to breakfast! So simple and wholesome. I'm not much of a planner though so rarely get around to doing an overnight soak. :p

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me neither leaf! I am always a little excited on those mornings when I've remembered to prepare in advance.

      Delete
  4. And a dollop of almond butter on top! Don't forget the dollop of almond butter! :P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh that would be delish. I'm having blackberries at the moment, we still have some left from our monster harvest last summer. I just chuck a few in the microwave in the morning so they are all warm and juicy.

      Delete