Coffee Peanut Butter Granola

 

Ever wish you could just press a button and instantly come down with a case of the heebie-jeebies (or whatever other ailment sounds plausible)? Perhaps you know you have to face someone the next day that you just can't bear to do, you might have an all-important test coming up or even a tough deadline at work. And sometimes you find yourself in such a surreal situation that you honestly don't know if you should run away or just laugh.

You see, while you're reading this, I'm trying to override my nervous cough and thanking my lucky stars that my trembling knees will remain hidden behind the kitchen counter. Just what am I doing? You'll never believe this. Heck, I don't even believe it yet as I'm typing this a mere 24 hours beforehand. And yet, it's happening. Wait - wha??? Yep, you can just call me Migella, because I'm going to be steaming up your television screens on the 13th of April in Pasella's Easter episode. Or at the very least stumbling through the bloopers reel. ;-) 

I'm sure you understand that I have to pull out all the stops for this occasion. No, not for the show (although, yeah, that too); the number one priority here is to distract myself from the events of the next 24 hours. I could dive straight into a never-ending vat of tequila, but I get the feeling the lovely producer lady would clobber me over the head. And so I opt for my drug of choice on this nerve-wrecking morning - coffee

Now don't you feel better already? The images are calming me down, as is the memory of my caffeine packed breakfast of champions. I think it's going to work. And if not, at least I've had a damn good breakfast!

Coffee Peanut Butter Granola

A Creative Pot original

750g raw oats

1/2 cup coffee beans, ground

1/3 cup peanut butter

3/4 cup golden syrup (or honey)

150g oven baked dates*, cut into small pieces

1. Spread oats and ground coffee onto the base of a large baking tray.
2. Melt peanut butter and syrup together and pour over the oats mixture, stirring to combine evenly (it's okay if there are clumps).
3. Place in the oven at 150C for 45 minutes, stirring every two or three times to ensure even browning.
4. Stir dates through and pour into an airtight container, where it should last for several weeks.

*These are sold in health stores as "Jerusalem toffees. If you can't find them in your area, substitute with dried dates and bake along with the oats in the oven.