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Bircher muesli a la Lizzy

19/1/2014

 
Bircher muesli a la Lizzy by Liz Posmyk, Good Things
Breakfast out on the town isn't always all that it's cracked up to be, as a recent experience of ours showed. 'How are your scrambled eggs?,' I asked. 'Honestly? I thought they'd be fantastic, but they're disappointing,' Peter replied. 'How's the bircher muesli?,' he asked. 'Well, it's fresh enough and the apple on top is crisp, but it's completely lacking taste and is more like pulped cardboard than good bircher muesli,' I responded. 'Disappointing too, considering the $12.50 price tag!.'

When Peter and I first met, we'd always dine out for breakfast on the weekend. We made it into our regular Saturday and Sunday 'date' and had found a city café that served a particularly good breakfast of bacon and eggs with sautéed mushrooms, grilled tomatoes and toasted sour dough. Once we moved in together, cooked-at-home breakfasts were eaten on the deck overlooking the park-like garden of the house we were renting. And then as time passed, the daily grind of getting to work on time took precedence and breakfast came in the form of cereal from a box or a quick slice of toast. 

Peter still enjoys eating breakfast in cafés from time to time, especially if we're on holiday or travelling interstate, per our recent two-day stay in Sydney. It was there that we took the opportunity to visit a well-known eatery that had long been on our must-try list. While the venue ticked boxes in terms of having great vibe and style, and genuinely friendly staff—the food was a let-down in terms of both value for money and flavour.

Of course, the first thing I did when we arrived home was raid the pantry and pull out all the ingredients so that I could make bircher muesli a la Lizzy. I'm sure you're familiar with the history of Birchmüesli, which was developed by Doctor Maximillian Bircher-Benner (1867-1939), a Swiss physician who served it to his patients as part of his holistic therapy. Research indicates that the original recipe comprised more fruit than grain, and was mixed with honey and sweetened condensed milk. 

Modern recipes call for the oats to be soaked in milk, water or yoghurt—I prefer to use pure apple juice mixed with low fat vanilla yoghurt, and then I add a hint of flavour with cassia, toasted coconut and fresh apple. Sometimes I grate apple through the mixture and also like to serve it with my stewed prunes.
Granny Smith apples by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

Pure cloudy apple juice by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

The recipe...

BIRCHER MUESLI A LA LIZZY
2/3 cup rolled oats
2/3 cup pure apple juice
1/2 cup low fat vanilla yoghurt
1/2 teaspoon cassia powder+

To serve:
1 heaped tablespoon toasted coconut flakes
1/2 Granny Smith apple, cut into matchsticks*
lemon juice

Combine the rolled oats, apple juice, yoghurt and cassia in a small bowl and stir well. Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Spoon into serving dishes, top with coconut flakes and apple slices. Serves 2.

*Sprinkle the apple pieces with lemon juice to keep them crisp and white.  +Use cinnamon if you prefer. Cassia should be used sparingly, otherwise it can taste bitter.
Making bircher muesli by Liz Posmyk, Good Things
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Birchmüesli was developed by Dr Maximillian Bircher-Benner...

A fresh bircher muesli by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

Cassia, toasted coconut and fresh apple add flavour...

Bircher for breakfast by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

A starfish, for no particular reason...

Starfish by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

Breakfast recipes...

If you enjoyed this post, you might like to investigate my other breakfast recipes. Bon appetit.

Tell me, do you enjoy dining out for breakfast? Have you ever felt disappointed after eating at a well-known venue? What's your favourite breakfast dish?
Lisa link
16/1/2014 02:02:19 pm

YUMMO! One of my all time fav breakfasts!

Lizzy
16/1/2014 04:05:23 pm

Thank you, Lisa. : )

Krista Bjorn link
16/1/2014 02:34:24 pm

This reminds me of breakfast in Germany. :-) So nourishing and hearty. I love going out for breakfast but it sure is disappointing when the breakfast is bleh. I'd eat this any day. :-)

Lizzy
16/1/2014 04:06:28 pm

Krista, thank you kindly... I've eaten Bircher muesli in Germany too... delicious!

Maureen link
16/1/2014 05:37:56 pm

This would be wonderful for breakfast tomorrow. I'm going to give it a try!

Lizzy
16/1/2014 05:39:08 pm

Thank you Maureen, best of all, it will be full of flavour and won't cost you $12.50!

joanna hodgson
16/1/2014 07:28:38 pm

I'm shopping this afternoon and all of the ingredients for this yummy sounding breakfast will definately be on my list! The hubby will love me in the morning!

Lizzy
16/1/2014 07:32:00 pm

Yay, Joanna, that's excellent! I do hope you both love it... it's a cracker and home made beats cafe prices too!

Celia link
16/1/2014 08:38:36 pm

What a bummer that it was so crap at the restaurant, Lizzy! I'm glad dinner made up for it! :D Your version looks divine, and your starfish is very cute! xx

Lizzy
17/1/2014 07:45:53 am

Hi Celia, dinner was wonderful! Thank you for your kind words... I love the little starfish!

SallyBR link
17/1/2014 02:49:31 am

Very nice... I heard a lot about this type of muesli and even saved a couple of recipes, but never tried it... I like the idea of apple juice to soak the oats, I wonder if apple cider would be too sweet...

beautiful photos....

Lizzy
17/1/2014 07:46:36 am

Hi Sally, with this you might just want a hint of flavour rather than a ka-boom, if you know what I mean. You could try it... thank you for your kind words : )

SallyBR link
17/1/2014 02:32:15 pm

No ka-boom! Understood… ;-)

have a wonderful weekend!

Lizzy
17/1/2014 02:36:36 pm

Sally : ) .... you can always try the cider and let me know xo

John @ Kitchen Riffs link
17/1/2014 10:03:34 am

I've had Bircher Muesli, but have never made it. And I'm sure what I've had isn't as good as what I could do. Yours looks fantastic! Both the pictures and the recipe. Thanks for this.

Lizzy
17/1/2014 12:37:07 pm

Ah, good, a recipe you haven't made at home yet John. YES, I bet yours would be better than anything you have eaten out. Thank you for your kind words : )

Joanne T Ferguson link
17/1/2014 01:00:57 pm

G'day! A very healthy brekkie indeed Lizzy!
LOVE the starfish too...have very fond childhood memories of too!
Cheers! Joanne

Lizzy
17/1/2014 02:18:36 pm

Joanne, thank you... I like the starfish too!

Liz link
17/1/2014 02:19:05 pm

Usually you can count on those breakfast spots to serve a decent meal...how disappointing for you both! But it sure looks like you can do much better at home...looks like a perfect way to start the day!

Lizzy
17/1/2014 02:21:16 pm

Thanks Liz, you know the venue we visited is renowned for great food! But, yes, it is much better made at home... and cheaper too!

Andrea link
17/1/2014 03:52:02 pm

Have found my breakfast for tomorrow, will use one of my apples off our column apple tree! Yum! Love the starfish!

Lizzy
17/1/2014 04:29:20 pm

Beautiful, Andrea... home grown apples! Wow. Thanks for this, I love the starfish too : )

Kaye Baillie link
17/1/2014 04:29:36 pm

Bircher museli makes my ears prick. I love it so much. Will be looking forward to trying this.

Lizzy
17/1/2014 04:31:19 pm

Oh me too, Kaye! And this is so good, I hope you like it too : )

ela@GrayApron link
17/1/2014 06:29:50 pm

I soak my musli (store-bought, but German) in almond milk (or water if I'm out). I'v tried making it my own, but it is never as good, so I gave up on the idea. As far as eating out in well-known venues - only pizza in Italy...and ice cream! :) ela

Lizzy
18/1/2014 09:28:32 am

Ela, almond milk sounds like a great option. Ice cream and pizza in Italy must surely be good!?

Janie link
17/1/2014 08:30:20 pm

Yikes, that looks good! I'm ashamed to admit I don't think I've ever heard of Bircher Muesli, but I sure want to try it now!
Really pretty photo's too Lizzy :)
Janie x

Lizzy
18/1/2014 09:29:12 am

Thanks Janie... nothing to be ashamed of, perhaps it's not so well known in the UK? Thanks for your very kind words, hope you will try this : )

Glenda link
18/1/2014 01:45:52 am

You know Liz, I have been meaning to make bircher muesli for ages but never have. Maybe I will get around to it one day. It is they fact that you have to do things the night before and the recipe I have serves 4 (I will probably be the only one who eats it). Yours btw sounds fab.

Lizzy
18/1/2014 09:29:59 am

Hi Glenda, halve my recipe... it honestly takes less than five minutes to mix the oats, apple juice, cassia and yoghurt, then just pop it into the fridge. Simple xo

Tandy | Lavender and Lime link
18/1/2014 03:22:40 am

I must try this sometime. That was an expensive breakfast out, even if it had been good!

Lizzy
18/1/2014 09:30:37 am

Tandy, I agree with you... that's why we stopped eating breakfast out on the weekends... we were saving to buy our home together. Hope you will try this xo

David link
18/1/2014 07:57:03 am

I have never heard of Dr. Bircher or his muesli - but it sounds fantastic! Love that you use apple juice to soften the oats - I can just taste the great flavor that imparts!

Lizzy
18/1/2014 09:30:58 am

Ah, David, that's interesting. Hope that you might try this sometime?

InTolerant Chef link
18/1/2014 10:36:46 am

I love a nice cafe breakfast, but the last time I ordered poached eggs they were so tainted with vinegar that I had to sp spit them out! A dish of your muesli sounds much yummier Lizzy :)

Lizzy
18/1/2014 12:49:14 pm

Gah, Bec, that sort of thing is annoying to a good cook, or chef, such as yourself. Thanks for stopping by.

Fiona @TIFFIN bite sized food adventures link
18/1/2014 12:37:05 pm

Great minds think alike Liz. I have been making breakfast smoothies this week to use up an over supply of mangoes and have been adding oats to the mix, for fibre. This week I'll be making a big batch of Bircher to store in the fridge at work so I can have some every day. Thanks for your recipe and, that amazing photo of the starfish.

Lizzy
18/1/2014 12:50:11 pm

We are on the one plane, Fiona, I just bought a few mangoes on special to make them into smoothies as a change from Bircher next week! I like the idea of adding oats, thanks for the tip! And thank you for liking my starfish xo

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella link
18/1/2014 04:34:36 pm

Isn't it interesting seeing how life changes habits. And sorry to hear that the cafe was a let down for food and value. I could hazard a guess as to where it was too! :)

Lizzy
18/1/2014 04:38:44 pm

Absolutely, Lorraine... and sometimes breakfast cooked in a cafe is really quite greasy etc, so that can play havoc with one's system. It's hard to appear elegant when your stomach is gurgling! And you would probably be quite correct with your guess! : )

Jesd link
19/1/2014 05:00:03 am

Love Bircher muesli! Will have to try your version :)

Lizzy
19/1/2014 09:31:14 am

Oh, please do! : )

Jerry E. Beuterbaugh link
20/1/2014 12:14:19 am

Lizzy
21/1/2014 06:32:34 am

Hello Jerry... were you wishing to leave a comment for me? The box was blank. Thank you for stopping by : )

Jane @ Shady Baker link
23/1/2014 12:48:37 pm

Hi Lizzy, this looks delicious. I love muesli in all forms although I detest plain milk so your idea of soaking the oats in apple juice and yoghurt suits me perfectly! Yum!

Breakfast is one of my favourite meals for dining out. This could be something to do with the difficulties of having dinner out with young children, for us breakfast is much more manageable. My favourite breakfast at home is muesli, my favourite to eat out is something naughty like French toast. Happy Friday!

Lizzy
23/1/2014 05:01:26 pm

French toast sounds wonderful, Jane, do you use your home baked bread? Happy Friday and happy long weekend xox

Adr link
3/4/2014 03:05:00 am

This sounds like breakfast in Switzerland! So healthy! I think my favorite meal to eat out is breakfast. I love someone else doing the frying and egg flipping. Asso it sort of get my day off - dressed,out of the house and fed, out and about. I'd say for an at home meal. this would be perfect.

Lizzy
8/4/2014 04:14:29 pm

Thanks Adri, it really is so good!


Comments are closed.

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    Photo of Liz Posmyk, Food Writer, Cook and Traveller

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Good Things is written and published by Liz Posmyk © 2011-2020.   All rights reserved.
Excerpts may be used provided that full and clear credit is given. Thank you.


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