Food is a universal language that brings people together. It’s one of the things I love most about it. In my world, it’s the glue which connects us.
Taking advantage of their network, Sarah and Amanda called out to Food & Lifestyle bloggers, asking them to participate in a country wide charity event.
With the help of Child Fund Australia, the goal for #thesweetswap 2014 is to raise a mere $390 which would provide every preschooler in Vietnam with clean drinking water by contributing filtering equipment, tanks and child-safe taps. It’s incredible what a difference $390 can make.
Upon registration, bloggers are asked to make a donation then await their three matches. Three other bloggers to whom they have to whip up some sweets for and send in the post, in return, receiving 3 sweets themselves.
I have to admit, the days I came home & found a parcel waiting for me, the joy I had opening them up & finding homemade sweets, really made my day. It reminded me how powerful food can be, helping to create new connections & simply putting a smile on ones face.
The hardest part of this event was deciding what to make for my three matches, something that wouldn’t perish in the post. After much deliberation, I made a sweeter version of my traditional homemade granola.
Today the #thesweetswap participants unite to spread the word & share recipes with everyone.
- Wholegrain Rolled Oats 2 1/2 cups
- Puffed Kamut or Rice 1 cup
- Coconut Flakes 50g
- Hazelnuts 1 cup
- Dried Banana Chips 1/2 cup
- Cocoa Powder 1/2 cup
- Coconut Oil 100ml (approx 2 heaped TB of solidified oil)
- Maple Syrup 100 ml
- Honey 3 TB
- Vanilla Extract 1 tsp
- Sea Salt pinch
Preheat oven to 150 degrees celsius. Line a medium sized baking tray with baking paper.
In a small saucepan over a medium heat, gently heat the coconut oil until its in a runny consistency. Add the cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, honey & sea salt and whisk until well combined. Remove from heat & set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the oats, puffed kamat, coconut flakes, hazelnuts & banana chips. Gradually pour in the warm cocoa mixture and stir until everything is coated well.
Spread the granola over the baking tray, using the backof a spoon or spatula to pat down & compact it together.
Bake in the oven for approx 15mins. Remove, gently flip/turn over the pieces of granola and put back in the oven for a further 15 mins (keep a close eye on it as some pieces may start to burn, if that’s the case just give it a stir/toss again).
