All the health magazines and articles tell us that ready to eat cereals aren’t really as healthy as they are touted to be. Most of them contain added sugar and flavoring, including the cereal that is universally considered healthy – muesli. So how does one combine the health of whole foods and the convenience of cereals, while making it appealing for kids? Easy, try out our Chocolate Muesli Recipe!

Chocolate Muesli

Ingredients

• 100 gms almonds, sliced
• 50 gms walnuts, chopped
• 30 gms flax seeds
• 50 gms dates, deseeded and chopped
• 50 gms black currants
• 600 gms rolled oats
• 250 ml honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 100 gms dark cocoa powder

Method

1. In a large pan, combine the sunflower seeds, the flax seeds and the almonds and toast over medium flame, until the flax seeds stop popping. Remove and set aside to cool.

2. Pour the oats into the pan and toast them over medium heat until light brown and nutty smelling.

3. Add the dates and the raisins into the oats, add the nut-seed mix as well. Mix to combine thoroughly.

4. Drizzle honey and add the vanilla. Mix until all the dry ingredients incorporate the honey in an even manner. The mixture should still be crumbly.

5. Turn off the heat and sprinkle cocoa powder all over the oats-honey-dry fruit mixture and turn it over to coat all the ingredients with cocoa.

6. Allow to cool, then store in airtight containers. Serve with cold milk.

Muesli makes for a great breakfast option on busy school mornings. It’s convenient, requires zero prep time, minimal wash up and will keep kids full till lunchtime! It’s also a great travel option  – just add milk!

Author

Dhvani Shah RD, ND, PG (Dietetics), BSc, C.D.E.
Ms. Dhvani Shah is a consulting dietician and naturopathic nutritionist. She has done extensive research in traditional diet therapies and naturopathy and its relevance in modern context and is pioneering drugless healing and well being through her unique approach – FIMS. She runs the “FIMS clinic” which supports a body-mind-spirit approach. Dhvani specialises in Woman and Child Nutritionist by developing specialized nutrition programs, conducting workshops, developing nutritious recipes and now – writing a series of books on Child Nutrition, Women Wellness & Scientific Jain diet.