Make time for your Mum

WHEN I was a student, I worked in a florist's.

Getting ready for the rush of Valentine’s Day, I remarked to the florist that this must be her busiest day.

“Oh no," she said, "it’s Mother’s Day - because everyone has a mother.”

And of course, it’s always good to spoil all the lovely mums.

Much has been said about the commercialisation of Mothering Sunday.

So why not do something different and make your mum a gift, instead of wafting your credit card about?

Nothing says “I love you” like a home-made gift.

I’ve come up with something novel: how about home-made granola? Maybe served in bed, on a tray with a single rose?

It’s delicious, and so easy to make that anyone can do it.

All you need is an attractive jar (try the pound shop or the supermarkets), store cupboard ingredients, and half an hour of your precious time.

To all the mothers out there – well done! I hope you enjoy your day.

Marvellous Mothering

Sunday granola

Makes 2 large (1.5 Litre) Kilner jars of granola

Ingredients:

Jumbo Porridge Oats – 6 Cups

Seeds – e.g. sunflower, pumpkin – ¼ Cup

Nuts – coarsely chopped –almonds, pistachios, walnuts, Brazils – 1 ¼ Cups

Wheatgerm – ¼ Cup - optional

Flaxseeds – ¼ Cup- optional

Favourite spice e.g. cinnamon, mixed spice - ¾ tsp

Sweetener – e.g. honey, agave nectar – ¾ Cup

Extra virgin olive oil – 1/3 Cup

Vanilla - 1 tsp

Egg whites-3 free range, large Dried fruit e.g. sour cherries, cranberries, raisons, apricots, pears, dates – coarsely chopped - 1 cup

Here’s what you do:

Preheat the oven to 190 C, fan180C, Gas Mark 5

Spray 1 or 2 rimmed large baking sheets with oil of your choice, and spread out the granola mixture evenly between the 2 sheets.

Put all dry ingredients, apart from the dried fruits, into the tray/s.

Whisk in the sweetener, vanilla and the olive oil.

With a fork, whisk the egg whites until slightly frothy.

Add this to all the other dry ingredients in the tray/s.

Stir until the oats are evenly coated.

Bake for 20 minutes and stir 2 or 3 times, moving the outer edges to the centre of the baking sheet so everything cooks evenly. Oven temperatures vary, so don’t go out!

Keep an eye on it and if it browns too much at the edges, gently stir those parts into the middle.

Remove from the oven and add the dried fruits of your choice. Stir until well combined.

Cool completely in the trays. Then store in airtight containers.