Coconut Bircher Müesli

I have fond memories of our mum making Bircher müesli when we were kids.  We came from a meat and 3-veg. type of family, so this was very daring of her.  And dessert was usually just tinned fruit and bought vanilla ice cream.  She also bought orange juice (with pulp!), and made chow mein (beef mince and lots of cabbage) in her electric frypan.  What a kitchen whizz! Or is that wiz? - short for wizard ...

This is another recipe from Donna Hay's cookbook Sunshine, lemons and sea salt.  It took me quite a few years to enjoy Donna's books and recipes; not sure why, but I think due to using them for Cookbook Clubs, I have started to really get with the program, so to speak.  

I often make bircher müesli, usually in Summer, but this one with coconut milk is a first for me.  And delicious it is!  Of course, Bircher should be said with a hard 'c' sound, rather than the 'ch' sound we have all been saying for years.  It's kind of fun rolling the 'r', and the 'ch', I have to say :=)  Go with your fave kind of milk, my friends, though.  And whatever fruits, and so on you prefer.  

Day 1 - looking fabulous

Serves 4:

ingredients:

2 cups (180g.) rolled oats (not instant)

2 Tbs (or less!) of white chia seeds

1.5 cups (375 mL) coconut milk

1.5 cups (375 mL) coconut water

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 Tbs maple syrup

1/2 cup (125g.) coconut yoghurt

Serve with: toasted coconut flakes (see Notes), more coconut yoghurt, fruit of your choice and honey (I think honey is optional)

Method:

Place the oats, chia seeds, coconut milk and water, vanilla and maple syrup into a large bowl, and give it a good stir

Then pour this into an airtight container, and into the fridge it goes overnight (or for a few hours if you are very hungry)

The next morning, you open it up and gaze on the chia-ed thickness with wonder, before you toast the coconut flakes by placing them into a small, cast-iron frypan and swirling them around for a few minutes till they go golden-brown and fragrant

Then fold the yoghurt through the müesli, and top with the coconut flakes, fruit and honey (if using)

Will last for several days in the fridge!

coconut!

Notes:

I had to use some almond milk too, as I couldn't find coconut water at the supermarket (I added a teensy amount of coconut essence to bump up the flavour)

And slightly less chia seeds for me - just not a fan of that mmm kinda slimy texture

yep, oats!

and maple syrup

ingredients gathered

that's the vanilla!

give it a stir

ready for an overnight stay in the fridge

toast your flakes, friends!

I think this might be pretty AND good for you :=)

this is Day 3! (Hubby doesn't eat it)

Day 5!  Nearly done; one more day to go