Here is the original Swiss müsli recipe that was developed around the turn of the century with my comments added. It's a very tasty combination when made this way, although our idea of what müsli is has changed over the years to be more grains and less fruit.
This breakfast is gluten free if made with certified gluten-free oats. Always check your labels.
Makes one serving of Bircher Müsli.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 T. rolled oats
- 2 T. water
- 1 T. sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tsp. lemon juice
- 2 small or 1 large apple, grated with the skin
- 6 hazelnuts or almonds, chopped
Preparation:
The original müsli recipe is a mixture of raw foods developed around the turn of the 20th century by a Swiss physician named Maximilian Oskar Bircher-Benner . Dr. Bircher went against accepted medical practice of thoroughly cooked food being the healthiest to introduce a small bowl full of rolled oats and raw apple before most meals. In modern times, this is now acceptable, but back then he had doctors walking out of his talks to show their disapproval.
Instructions
Mix the oats and water and let them soften overnight in the refrigerator.
I let them soften for a just few minutes. Oats do not need to be soaked for hours to make them digestible, although other grains do.
Add the sweetened condensed milk and the lemon juice to the oats and stir.
I don't always have sweetened condensed milk. Evaporated milk, cream or regular milk can be substituted but don't add the lemon juice directly to the oats and milk because it will curdle. Sprinkle it over the apple, instead. You can add 2 teaspoons of sugar to regular milk, or try honey, agave nectar or Stevia, if you would like to avoid sugar.
Add the grated apple, stir, sprinkle with raw chopped almonds or hazelnuts and serve.
People add many other things to this mixture and even serve mix-your-own müsli for breakfast with containers of seeds, grains and dried fruit set out on the table or buffet. This negates the idea of a low calorie, high energy pre-meal filler, but tastes good. Additions can be made as follows (or create your own):
- Add a grated carrot, a sliced banana and orange sections to your oats.
- Soften raisins with the oats.
- Add flax, sunflower seeds, dried fruit, other rolled grains, yogurt, Dickmilch, Quark or maple syrup to your bowl.
- Toast the grains before using in your milk.
- Make a granola mixture and serve with milk or yogurt and fruit
- Add flavorings such as cinnamon, nutmeg or vanilla sugar or powder.
