The 2015 season for South African apples and pears has begun and lasts until October. Varieties such as flavourful Granny Smith apples, smooth Bon Chretien and creamy Packham’s pears will be widely available in supermarkets throughout the UK summer.
Well known food blogger Kerstin Rodgers (aka MsMarmiteLover) has created a selection of fresh summer recipes featuring these juicy and delicious fruits. We’ve added some South African ideas of our own as well.
12 servings
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 20-25 minutes
250g jumbo porridge oats
50g pumpkin seeds
50g sunflower seeds
50g sesame seeds
50g poppy seeds
50g soft brown sugar
2 tbsp groundnut oil
100g hazelnuts or almonds, roughly chopped
100g dried apricots, chopped
100g sultanas or raisins South African apple and pear, to serve
Natural yogurt or milk
Clear honey, to drizzle
1. Preheat the oven to 200oC, fan oven 180°C, Gas Mark 6
2. Mix together the porridge oats, seeds, sugar, oil and nuts. Spread out onto a large baking tray and bake for 20-25 minutes, turning the mixture twice during the cooking time. Cool completely.
3. Stir the apricots and sultanas or raisins into the mixture, then transfer to an airtight container and store for up to 1 month.
4. To serve, spoon some granola into a bowl and top with chopped South African apple and pear. Serve with natural yogurt and/or milk, and drizzle with a little clear honey.
*Cook’s tip: Vary the granola as you like – try adding dried cranberries, cherries or blueberries to the mixture instead of sultanas or raisins; or as well as! Bought granola can be surprisingly high in sugar and fat – and it’s so easy to make your own.