Tuesday 15 July 2014

Favourite snacks for the outdoors

Ever sat down for a break and looked enviously at your walking companion's food? It seems I've been the subject of food envy, with so many people asking me for the recipe to my homemade muesli bar that I've decided to add it to my blog. It's easy to make, tastes good and keeps my energy levels up.
Banana Tramping Bars 

Banana Tramping Bars

Preheat oven to 200 C
STEP 1  In a large bowl mix together:
photo 3.JPG1 tbsp vegetable oil
2-3 eggs
4 tbsp manuka honey (or golden syrup)
3 mashed bananas



STEP 2  Then add in  the following and mix well:


photo 4.JPG3 tbsp milk powder
1 cup wholemeal flour
1 cup ground almonds
½ cup each of sunflower and sesame seeds (or 1 cup chopped nuts)
1 cup each of sultanas and apricots (or 2 cups other dried fruit)
1 cup chopped dark chocolate (Whittakers’ Dark Ghana highly recommended)



STEP 3  Now stir in:
photo 3.JPG

5-6 cups soft rolled oats

Add enough oats to ensure that mixture is firm and not too wet.

STEP 4 Put into muffin tins or trays.  I use silicone ones which don't need greasing.


photo 4.JPG










STEP 5  Turn oven down to 150 C. 

Bake until only just starting to turning brown, about  40-45 minutes if in a tray, or about 25-30 mins in muffin cups.
Then turn oven off and leave in oven for another 10-15 mins until golden brown.
Take out of the oven and put on racks to cool.
Once cool cut the slice into bars. Freezes well.

Make it dairy free - leave out the milk powder and use cocoa nibs instead of chocolate
Make it vegan - as for dairy free and also replace the eggs with chia seeds and water (1 egg = 1tbsp chia seeds soaked in 3tbsp water)

Acknowledgements: This recipe is based on Sue Hely’s Muesli Bars, Canterbury Tramping Club website www.ctc.org.nz and has been adapted to be made without butter - and with chocolate!