I tend to describe most of the recipes I post on this blog with laudatory, glowing, effervescent words of deliciousness and grandeur. And why not? I create according to my tastes, and I like my tastes. That’s why they’re my tastes.
When you think about it, this has a strange kind of logic.
But unfortunately, this granola did not float my boat. It didn’t even rock the boat.
(And the devil will drag you under, by the sharp lapel of his checkered coat! Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down you’re rocking the boat!)
In fact, this lemon rosewater granola was more like a tiny origami boat (made of a piece of paper you scribbled on pointlessly whilst listening to your insurance company’s hold music for approximately sixty-bazillion hours) that starts to sink as soon as you gently place it in the water. The algae-infested man-made Lake Burley Griffin water.
I found the recipe on Anja’s Food 4 Thought and, though I did have my doubts about the ratio of liquid to oats as I stirred it together, I decided to trust in the woman who brought me (and you) the magnificent magical flourless three-ingredient maple almond cake.
Unfortunately for me (and for you), this recipe must be designed for those whose tastebuds are wired differently. My rendering of this granola recipe resulted in predominantly flavourless oats and the occasional faint kick of lemon. The faint kick did, at least, reinforced my belief that this granola could be wonderful with a bit of tinkering.
I do think that this recipe, or concept, has promise. I intend to make it again, but will next time double, if not triple, the amount of honey and lemon.
After all, there’s nothing wrong with instilling a little more sweetness in your life.
Pointless rosemary! Like the irrelevant lizard!
Lemon Rosewater Almond Granola
Slightly adapted from Anja’s Food 4 Thought
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon (1/4 cup) (will double or triple next time)
- 1/4 cup honey/vegan sweetener of choice (will double or triple next time)
- 1 tb rosewater
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup flax seeds (I used ground, as that’s all I had)
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 1 1/2 cups chopped prunes
- Preheat oven to 150°C (300°F). Line large baking sheet with baking paper.
- Combine zest, juice, rosewater, honey, and syrup in a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Take off the heat and let cool for just a little bit.
- In a large bowl, mix the oats, flax, and almonds together, then pour the syrup mixture over and stir until well combined.
- Spread onto baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, stirring once half way though. Stir in the prunes and bake for another 5-10 minutes, making sure nothing burns.
P.S. For a really, really awesome-spectacular granola, try my spiced fig, pepita, and molasses granola.
{ 55 comments… read them below or add one }
omgoodness that sounds so good!!! such a creative way to use rosewater. Good on you!
Thanks Emma, but if only it had tasted better!
Wat an interesting flavour combination
ps. in answer to your question about the pork gf sausages – you can get them direct from Balzanelli in Isa St, Fyshwick (they make them on site), but I have also seen some varities at Mr Chops in Weston, and also some IGAs!
Fyshwick is, I think, a bit too far for me to drive just for sausages
I’ll keep an eye out at IGAs though, thanks Lisa!
If you want granola, try the blog Apples Under My Bed (http://applesundermybed.blogspot.com/). Hedi is a nutritionist and has done a few blogs on granola from memory.
That cake sounds truly awesome though!
Oh Lisa, this comment of yours has made me laugh and laugh! Not only is Heidi one of my friends, but at least one of the granola recipes on her blog that you’re referring to is actually mine, which she tried making and loved!
What a pity! At least the photos look good
And I’m now wondering why my rosemary never gives me flowers. Hmm.
But surely it must, because that’s how it procreates? (Or whatever the term is for flowers reproducing…) It’s always slightly terrifying picking rosemary as it gets closer to spring, as I have to brave the hordes of bees to break a sprig off!
You know, I’m now really worried about my rosemary! I’m going to keep a close eye on it.
Don’t be worried! It’s so puuuurty when it flowers
but what about the rosewater – did you want more of that or was it enough? I personally would stay clear of too much lemon but I actually think that what I would need is some white choc chips in here (although maybe they are too dairy for you) for a bit of added sweetness
Dangnabbit, I was hoping no one would notice that
Here’s what I think I’ll do – if I triple the honey and lemon, I’ll probably double the rosewater. If I double the honey and lemon, I might only add 1-2tsp more rosewater. I’m scared of overdoing it and making a granola that tastes like grandmothers! 
Oooh, white chocolate, that’s a good idea! I could use the Sweet William dairy-free white choc
I feel you on the “eh” recipes. At least yours is edible. I fail not one but TWICE yesterday.
Oh no! Did you at least have a dog, dad, or boyfriend to feed the fails to?
But, isn’t my little bowl pretty?
Your bowl, table, rosemary, and prunes are all exceptionally exquisite
You didn’t have to give yourself away that much … they’ll start wondering if even the bowl contents are truly yours!
I eat therefore I own?
Shame this didn’t rock your boat. Yeah, I’m not usually one for granola or cereal in general for that matter – part from the occasional breakfast trifle in summer. I like my breakfasts hot- hot like fire! LOL
Teehee! I do like my hot oatmeal in the morning, and must admit I almost never eat granola for breakfast, only as a snack. Maybe that’s why this tasted so boring to me – it wasn’t jazzy enough to qualify as a dessert treat at 10pm!
Rosewater sounds so exotic! I had a cardamom rose cupcake once and I loved it, but my friend thought it tasted like perfume. Actually, looking back on it, it kind of did…
I used to *hate* rosewater because I thought it tasted like soap and old ladies, but since trying a good quality version (and not horrible cheap nasty turkish delight) I’ve realised it can be lovely. But still, I get your friend’s point!
There’s that ‘tastes like old ladies’ thing again. If you have an itch for old ladies, no wonder granola isn’t working for you:)
I love my own grandma-ladies, but I don’t like eating them. So there.
hahhaha i think most healthy recipes, you have to add in your own salt, sugar, flavorings to fit your taste buds. for example, i can live without salt in my food, but most ppl can’t!
For some reason I don’t want lemon in my granola. Is that wrong? I love a bit of pointless rosemary, though! x
Not wrong at all! I’ll eat your lemon treats, if you promise to eat anything orange-flavoured that sneaks into my world
The name of the granola sounds good! pity it isn’t that great when made up. Hahahah re: “pointless Rosemary”…!
In future, I’ll know to trust my intuition. And I now have plans of making actual rosemary granola
Ahh.. bring back the irrelevant lizard I say. That was the best post
I HUGS YOU and pointless rosemary.. not that pointless because it did make the picture pretty 
AND WE LURVE PRUHTTYYY THANGS!
Pruhttyyy thangs like youuuuuuuu! HUGS!
P.S. I think it’s been too cold for the irrelevant lizard lately
Hopefully in spring, he’ll reappear!
Aw, they can’t all be winners, but at least you’re experimenting and trying things. Doesn’t sound like a huge flop either. Trust me, it could be much worse. I made an ice cream so entirely repulsive last week, I haven’t been able to use black pepper since. Yes, pepper… Don’t ask. It was a downright culinary sin.
But I can definitely see why you would’ve tried! I’ve had some fantastic lemon + pepper or salt + pepper chocolates, and strawberries with pepper and balsamic can work, so I have full faith in your ability to make pepper ice cream delicious, Hannah. If anyone can, it’s you
And if all else fails, douse it in that magical hot fudge sauce you’re working on, right?
I love rose flavored things. Sorry this recipe didn’t work out how you hoped, it’s certainly interesting though.
Definitely, and interesting enough to try again. If at once you don’t succeed, right?
Oh no, what a shame it didn’t rock your boat or even slightly shake it! And would adding peanut butter help?
You know it did
Aww, the flavours sound so lovely and promising too. Better luck next time!
Should’ve trusted my own granola intuition…
The mix of flavours does sound wonderful. I’m not sure about the lemon with the rose water though. There’s no oil in the recipe- maybe oil would work better than lemon juice? I love the sound of the rosewater, pistachio combo though. And I love the sound of pointless rosemary.
Hmm, oil would probably help with the texture, so perhaps I could increase the honey and add a bit of oil? But I do like the lemon with the rosewater
You do know I’m going to have to make a rosemary granola now!
It definitely sounds like it has all the requirements for a yummy breakfast, hopefully some tweaking can sort it out. I think I shall have to try it anyway.
I have to say that your posts are an absolute delight to read. You have a way with words that I really envy. Like Conor at Hold the Beef too, again, I so wish I had her way with words. Keep it up! Now I am back in blog land, I am looking forward to catching up on your posts and keeping up with new ones too.
Aw, shucks! Your comments today are making me beam all over the place
Thank you so very much for the support; it truly helps to think of people enjoying my writing during the times when I feel a bit lacklustre about everything 
Looks good to me!!! But yeah I get what you mean about the oats to liquid ratio, I like highly flavored granolas so I’ll be excited for you to post the tweaked version.
Thanks Maria! I’ll try to get onto it soon, but I have such a backlog of posts already!
I’m so sad this didn’t work out as well as hoped – because i LOVE it in theory!!
I love YOU in theory! And reality! Theoreality!
that’s too bad- it sure looks amazing!
Wonderful dessert! I love the idea of rosewater!
My most recent batch of granola involved orange, and orange blossom water. Now, if I recall correctly, you’re an orange hater, but I think it’s really yummy! I’ll have to try lemon next
Theresa, oh, how you taunt me with that most hell-beast of sweet flavours…
Sounds incredible! What a shame about the whole boat sinking thing, in that it did not rock it…makes me crave your tall dark handsome granola – someone hand me some cardamom!!
Heidi xo
That granola is still my absolute reigning favourite, and it makes me so happy that you like it too!
xo
I love the idea of rosewater in granola! Might just have to tinker around with that one. Thanks!
Please do! Then you can tell me your delicious version and I’ll make it