These taste super yummy. I used a nutty granola which really complemented the banana and coconut flavours. You could substitute the granola with desiccated coconut or oats or a mix of all three. I thought the baking might make the granola really hard on the teeth but it actually helped to soften it a little. 

These muffins are great for lunchboxes or as a breakfast on the go. 


Makes 12

• 200g plain flour
  
• 80g ganola
• 100g caster sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1 egg
  

• 175ml milk
• 75ml coconut oil
• 250g mashed bananas

1. Heat the oven to 180C and line a 12 hole muffin case with muffin cases
2. Mix together the dry ingredients
3. In a separate bowl mash the bananas and add the wet ingredients
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and spoon into the paper cases
5. Add some extra granola clusters to the top of the muffins
6. Bake for 20 minutes or until cooked

NB I was kindly sent the granola and bananas in a breakfast hamper to enjoy for Breakfast Week.

Christmas and New Year are all about catching up with friends. I really enjoy having people round and always try to bake some nibbles to accompany the drinks.

Aldi kindly sent me a bottle of Limestone Coast Chardonnay from their Exquisite Collection along with their Extra Mature Cheddar.

I decided to make some cracked pepper and cheese straws with the cheddar to accompany the wine.

To make the cheese straws you will need:

Ground or cracked pepper

Mature cheddar cheese

Ready made puff pastry

1. Roll out the pastry

2. Grate the cheese on top of the pastry and press into the pastry

3. Add the cracked pepper

4. Cut the pastry into strips

5. Twist the strips and place on a baking sheet.

6. Bake according to the puff pastry packet instructions - about 20 minutes and 200c

These cheese straws went really well with the Chardonnay which had hints of white peach and pineapple.

Thank you to Aldi for sending me a sample of the cheese and wine.