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Every athlete knows eating right is almost as important as training right. But sometimes grilled chicken and a few leafy florets of broccoli don't quite cut the mustard.

Don't worry, help is at hand. Every week in the Training Zone, Fairmont Southampton pastry chef and regular marathon runner Rolf Runkel will be coming up with some interesting, healthy recipes to help fuel your training.

Power Breakfast Granola

One of my favorites for a hearty breakfast, I also nibble on it when watching TV or as a snack during the day.

I always wanted a good tasting and yet very nutritious granola, but trying to find just the right product seemed impossible, so I decided to make my own and have since come up with all kinds of versions.

The fruits can all be varied and you can give the granola it's own distinct flavor or theme; for example, a tropical granola using mostly tropical dried fruits or a harvest granola using mainly traditional dried fruits like apricots, apples, prunes and raisins. You can change up the nuts and seeds as you like or increase or decrease them. Once you made the first batch you won't even need a recipe anymore and just do it by feel.

Ingredients

2 cups old fashioned rolled oats (do not use quick oats)

1/2 cup chopped nuts, walnuts or pecan

2 Tbsp lax seeds

2 Tbsp sunflower seeds raw or roasted

Place on cookie sheet and roast in oven at 350.F for 15-minute stir up twice to prevent burning

1/2 cup raisin

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup dried blueberries

1/2 cup of either dates, prunes, apricots apples, chopped

1/2 cup dried banana chips

Mix all chopped fruits in a large mixing bowl

3 Tbsp honey

1/4 tsp cinnamon powder

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Pinch sea salt

In microwave oven heat up honey and vanilla, add cinnamon and salt

Add the hot roasted oats and nuts to the dried fruits, mix it all up then pour in the warm honey mixed with vanilla and cinnamon, mix every thing until the oats and fruits are slightly sticking. If you prefer a sweeter granola, just add more honey or a touch of brown sugar. Keep granola in tight container and it will last you 10- 14 Days in a cool place, do not refrigerate.

This Granola is soft and chewy, if you prefer a crunchy granola, spread it back out onto a cookie sheet and dry it in a 300 F oven for 15 minutes, turning the granola every 5 minutes, let cool and store in tight container.[[In-content Ad]]

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