JournalNow.com: Veggin' Out

Contrary to a popular stereotype, vegetarians are not all champions of self-denial, pathetically munching a sprout on the sidelines while watching the omnivores have all the culinary fun. Instead, the vegetarians we know love good food and know where to get it. They aren't about to settle for a bland meal, either at home or at a restaurant.

Muesli Musings

“What is the difference between granola and muesli?” I wondered one day over a hastily packed lunch of one or the other.

“Granola is for hippies and muesli is for Euro-trash,” answered a quick-witted friend.

And it turns out he was right, mostly. Both are basically a mix of grains such as rolled oats, with fresh and/or dried fruit, nuts, and seeds. Moistened with milk or yogurt - vegans can of course use non-dairy versions - either one makes a quick, tasty, filling and nutritious breakfast (or other meal). The main difference I’ve found, other than the hippie/Euro-trash divide, is that granola is usually baked and crispy, while muesli is raw.

Pre-packaged granola and muesli can be found in grocery and health-food stores everywhere. But it’s also very easy and fun to mix up your own. The Meatout Mondays e-mail recently had a recipe for Very Berry Muesli. With the local strawberry crop starting to come in, this is a great opportunity to put them to use. Here is the recipe from the newsletter:

Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups nondairy milk (soy, rice, or almond milk)
1 peach or nectarine, diced
2 apricots or plums, diced
1 cup berries (raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, etc.)
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup wheat germ (optional)

Directions:
Mix oats and nondairy milk together in large bowl.
Set aside the mixture while you prepare fruit (you can also save in refrigerator overnight).
Combine all ingredients.
Eat immediately or refrigerate for later (will keep for several days).

And, now that the granola vs. muesli question is settled, I’m looking for an answer to a pressing question that another friend and I have been discussing: What is the difference between a highball and a cocktail?

Back to the main page.

By Julie Harris on 05/02/2007 (5:17 pm)

Comments

i don’t think your definition goes far enough to distinguish clearly between granola and muesli. from what i see on grocery store shelves, granola typically has sugar or some other sweetener (honey, agave syrup, etc) as the second ingredient. one function of the sweetener is to bind the various grains and nuts together when the mass is baked. the resulting granola has a crunchiness to it.

muesli typically has no sweetener added, nor is it baked or toasted. i guess you could say that muesli is the less processed food; it’s certainly less crunchy.

each serves its function. it’s easier to snack on crunchy granola than dry muesli, for example, if that’s of interest to you.

ryan rudnicki