Bircher Muesli
August 29, 2009 at 6:09 pm | Posted in around sydney, breakfast things, cereals | 19 Comments
Despite my love of oats, muesli has always had bit of a negative connotation for me. Why would I ever want that dry, sawdusty stuff when I could have deliciously toasted granola instead? It wasn’t until we were living in Sydney, where it’s a café breakfast staple, that I finally discovered Bircher muesli. Oh, Bircher muesli…where had you been all my life? Better late than never, I guess.
With Bircher muesli, dry oats are soaked for at least a couple hours (overnight’s best), eliminating the whole sawdust thing. While you could use any number of liquids (such as OJ, milk or water) as your soaking medium, I prefer the light, neutral sweetness of apple juice. Next you add in lots of tasty bits…yogurt, fruit and nuts. Here I used grated red apple, along with strawberries, blackberries, sliced almonds, hazelnuts and unsweetened coconut flakes, but it’s really anything goes with the fruit and nuts. (Sliced peaches are incredible in this, as is rhubarb compote!) To me, the grated apple is the only really essential fruit, both for moisture and texture, so I would definitely not omit that. I’ve used all types of apples in the past, though, red or green..whatever you have…grate them skin-on.
This is such an easy and and satisfying breakfast, and a great way for oat lovers to get our fix when it’s hot outside. Thank you Maximilian Bircher-Benner!
Bircher Muesli– makes 2 large or 3 small servings
1 cup rolled oats (the “old-fashioned” kind)
½ cup + 2 T unsweetened apple juice
½ of a coarsely grated apple
5 oz plain yogurt
pinch of ground cinnamon
handful of toasted nuts and/or coconut flakes
handful of fresh berries and/or sliced stonefruit
honey or maple syrup for drizzling
-Put the oats and apple juice in a lidded container and leave in the refrigerator to soak overnight.
-The next morning, stir the grated apple, cinnamon, yogurt and half of the toasted nuts and/or coconut into the soaked oats. Spoon into bowls and top with fruit and remaining nuts. Drizzle with honey or maple syrup.
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I feel the same way about muesli; but if you like this recipe then I should try it! 😀
Comment by VeggieGirl— August 29, 2009 #
I love bircher muesli too, but unfortunately am never organised enough to do the required soaking the night before!
Comment by Y— August 29, 2009 #
I have never liked cooked oatmeal either. Much prefer my homemade granola. But your picture looks good enough to eat. I want to try it.
Comment by Romaine of www.salad-in-a-jar.com— August 29, 2009 #
I love bircher muesli too, its lovely and creamy. Sort of like an uncooked porridge
Comment by Katie— August 30, 2009 #
Looks delicious. I love bircher musli with grapes and peach on top! mmmmm
Comment by Roses R Red— August 30, 2009 #
This is certainly the prettiest muesli I think I’ve ever seen. If it tastes half as good as it looks, it’s got to be fantastic! I love that you have blackberries in it. When they’re plentiful in our region I’ll definitely remember this recipe and give it a try. Until then, I think I have some blueberries that I picked and froze which I’ll use. I also have some peaches on my counter right now that aren’t as sweet and juicy as I’d like. I think this will be a good way to use them up since there’s some sweetness in the muesli. Thanks for the great recipe!
Comment by Cooking Like Mom— August 30, 2009 #
Thanks so much for this! I adore oats but never get to eat them in the summer. I’ve never thought to make my own muesli, and now I can’t wait.
Comment by Kylie of Thin Crust, Deep Dish— August 31, 2009 #
I saw your blog on ‘Bake it Off’ Blog and the title of your post ‘Bircher Muesli’ I couldn’t believe it! My DH and I have been eating our muesli like this six days a week since 1979 and have never grown tired of it. We mix ours with natural yogurt and honey, we used to grate in an apple but about 10 years ago we stopped doing that. I even got my DH to bring my muesli into hospital when I was having my babies and got the nurses to put it in the fridge for me. I still have the Bircher Benner book that we got the recipe from although I don’t think I have used any of the other recipes for 30 years lol!
Thanks for your great post and enjoy your breakfast.
Comment by Janice— August 31, 2009 #
I’ve never even heard of this but it sounds super delicious.
Comment by Eliana— August 31, 2009 #
I love bircher muesli. I used to work with a girl from Austria and she would eat it every single day. I loved the fact that you could switch out a few liquids and other ingredients to switch out the flavour. My favourite part is the grated apple, too!
Comment by Julia @ Mélanger— August 31, 2009 #
You know, I’ve never warmed up to muesli either – never could figure out how to make it / prepare it. Now that I know though, I think it’s time to haul out my frozen rhubarb to make a compote topping for some!
Comment by Caitlin— August 31, 2009 #
I LOVE muesli….but haven’t tried to make it myself. I’ve only had it for breakfast on Holland America cruise ships…when I’m lucky enough to be on one. Forget everything else on the buffet…..I just want the Muesli!
Thanks so much for posting on my blog this morning…that’s how I found your blog and the amazing array of recipes. Now I can try making muesli myself!
Susan
Comment by Susan— September 2, 2009 #
Yummy. I make my own muesli by the jar and then make this up a few times a week – great for the brekkie box. And superb for large family breakfasts. All you have to do is soak and serve. What could be easier… Great minds
Comment by Kitchen Butterfly— September 5, 2009 #
This is my favorite breakfast food! My mom used to make it when I was younger and I just re-discovered it about a year ago. Nice to see your take on soaking the oats in apple juice. Grated apple is ‘a must’ in my opinion and I change out my other fruits and nuts depending on the season. Your photo is great!
Comment by Jen— September 6, 2009 #
Fave brekkie ever.
Comment by Meghan Telpner— September 12, 2009 #
Delicious!!!!!
Comment by Suzanne— February 18, 2010 #
You can use “Quick Oats” if you did not soak overnight. By the time you are done preparing all the fixings your muesli will be nice and soft. I like to use Greek yogurt to add more protein as well as Agave Nectar which is a low glycemic sweetener. Pistachios are also fabulous in this recipe.
Comment by Giselle— November 14, 2010 #
Just returned from a stay at the Four Seasons, Sydney. I enjoyed Bircher Muesli every morning! Googling this evening for the recipe and found you…THANK YOU! Cannot wait for breakfast tomorrow morning!
Comment by Christine— November 14, 2010 #
I just had Bircher Meusli for the first time at brunch on Sunday and it was amazing – I was searching for a recipe to make it at home, and this looks so much like what I had. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Comment by Jessica— January 30, 2012 #