Edit: I’ve found a method to improve this, I’ll edit the post below. Photo attached!

I made a mistake, and bought a bag of muesli thinking it was cereal clusters. There is nobody else to blame other than my stupidity.

I don’t think I know how to eat this thing. It’s practically rolled oats with bits of fruit and nuts and all bran kind of cereals added in the mix but hardly noticeable.

I tried eating it like cereal, adding it to yoghurt or milk. It tastes like insipid cardboard flakes sprinkled with fruit. I tried cooking porridge with it, that was an improvement but I still find it boring.

Perhaps you have some suggestions on how to actually enjoy eating what’s left of it? Bonus points if you know how to make it crunchy.

Thanks

Edit: I don’t typically add sugar to things or even buy sugary cereal. My problem with this thing is the texture first and foremost. Thanks for your concern on how much processed foods I don’t buy or like are harming my life.

Edit 2: Tried the overnight method, it’s better than porridge as the consistency is much firmer and less slimey. Plus, it’s cold already.

Toasting or baking on a tray makes it so much better and crispy, it doesn’t feel chewing cardboard anymore.

Finally I tried making clusters and this is the best method for me. Just let the muesli soak a few hours in water until it takes a semisolid consistency. I spread the paste in blotches on a tray, and baked for around an hour at low heat. These clusters are very crunchy!

Photo shows the round container with the muesli straight out of the bag vs the toasted and clustered versions I made in the other container.

  • @[email protected]
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    2 years ago

    Coming from the Land of Muesli, it’s really quite simple and it’s really the same way we eat any cereal over here:

    • put Muesli in a small bowl
    • add fresh (ideally cold) cow milk
    • eat it all with a spoon (quickly, before it loses most texture and becomes a soggy pulp / porridge-like)

    If you like it a bit sweeter, mix a fruit yoghurt into it. Personally, I add the yoghurt after the Muesli and stir/mix it a bit before adding the milk.

    Of course you can also add fresh sweet fruits (bananas, apples, strawberries, peaches, etc.) cut into slices/cubes.

    If you prefer vegan milk alternatives, oat milk works great. Honestly, I think a good oat milk complements the Muesli (which usually contains oats) better than cow milk and I would suggest everyone try it.

    • ℕ𝕖𝕞𝕠
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      42 years ago

      This is how I’ve always eaten it; though you can also mix it with some flour, egg, baking powder, and yoghurt and bake bars.

    • @[email protected]
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      72 years ago

      Lmao why even specify cow milk, any milk is fine. You even mention how you prefer oat milk afterwards 🤯

      • @[email protected]
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        182 years ago

        I was talking about the traditional way of eating it and that’s with cow milk. I specified it precisely because I’m making a contrasting recommendation later on.

    • @[email protected]OP
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      132 years ago

      Today I learned there are two types of muesli and I got the non toasted one apparently and unfortunately. Do you also have this distinction wherever you are from?

      • @[email protected]
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        52 years ago

        Try toasting it, maybe you’ll like it better. Spread some out on a sheet pan and stick it in the oven… Alternately toss it around in a frying pan. Doing so with a little butter might enhance the taste as well.

        • @[email protected]OP
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          52 years ago

          I did this morning, and you’re not wrong! Toasting on a pan actually made it much crispier. I’m still hoping to bake clusters with it, once I’m done experimenting I’ll update the post. Cheers

      • @[email protected]
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        92 years ago

        It’s Switzerland. While I don’t know the answer to your question, having grown up there and in the states, I wanted to compare the cereal industries and how they tried to promote a healthier lifestyle. Then this happened: (from Wikipedia)

        An early proponent of the germ theory of disease, Kellogg was well ahead of his time in relating intestinal flora and the presence of bacteria in the intestines to health and disease. The sanitarium approached treatment in a holistic manner, actively promoting vegetarianism, nutrition, the use of enemas to clear “intestinal flora”, exercise, sun-bathing, and hydrotherapy, as well as the abstention from smoking tobacco, drinking alcoholic beverages, and sexual activity. Kellogg dedicated the last 30 years of his life to promoting eugenics and segregation.

        😳

        • @[email protected]OP
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          92 years ago

          Yes… That and the corn flakes backstory about not masturbating iirc? Not surprising but still interesting, thanks for sharing

      • @[email protected]
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        32 years ago

        Not sure what toasted means exactly in this context, but I guess traditionally we have non-toasted Muesli.

        But nowadays we have many variations, some that would probably be more to your tasting (with corn flakes and crisp clusters) and some (even) less so.

    • @[email protected]OP
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      22 years ago

      Hmm yes this sounds enjoyable, although it requires a bit more effort and ingredients. Will keep in mind, thanks!

  • @[email protected]
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    22 years ago

    I like to lightly toast it in a pan then add milk (I use almond milk) to the pan and simmer. Stop simmering when it reaches a consistency you like.

    You can add anything to it: fruit, nuts, honey… If it comes out too thick just add more milk till you like it.

  • Arghblarg
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    252 years ago

    It’s great stirred into plain or vanilla yoghurt for breakfast. I think that’s in fact the “traditional European” way it’s eaten?

    Or at least at nearly every Bed & Breakfast in western Canada that tries to be “Victorian” :)

    • @[email protected]
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      62 years ago

      Coming from Germany, I don’t know if the traditional way to eat muesli is just adding yoghurt. Most people I know normally add fresh milk to it.

      Personally, I enjoy my daily Müsli with vanilla soy milk (but I tend to be the only one liking that), fruit skyr (or yogurt), some oatmeal and/or crunchy granola, and most importantly, at least two kinds of fresh fruit, like bananas, peaches, apples, pears, or grapes. Without fruit, it just tastes bland.

      • Arghblarg
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        32 years ago

        Oh yes, fruit! I should have included that of course. Some peaches or berries are so good with Muesli.

  • @[email protected]
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    142 years ago

    Mix it with frozen berries and plain (unsweetened) yoghurt, and let sit in the fridge over night. It’s delicious in the morning.

    • @[email protected]
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      22 years ago

      I tried overnight oats with yoghurt once and it failed miserably, the oats didn’t absorb anything. Tried it with some milk later and it was perfect.

      • @[email protected]
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        22 years ago

        That doesn’t sound like proper bircher muesli to me. Bircher is: soak oats in water, add grated apple, lemon juice, ground hazelnuts, “Kondensmilch” (like tubed, sweetened concentrated milk).

        I usually do it as follows (but it’s not “Bircher”): Mix oats with soymilk, sugar and cinnamon. Sometimes I add a little joghurt to get a denser consistency. Then some fruit. Berries, grated apple or banana (in slices) work well. Mix and soak overnight. Eat cold in the morning. I usually also prep 3 portions and eat them over the next 3 days.

        Throw in some chia seeds or ground flaxseed if you want to publish the recipe on a foodblog.

      • @[email protected]
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        92 years ago

        Yep, it takes a couple hours for the moisture of the yoghurt to fully seep into the muesli. If it’s too soggy for your taste afterwards, you can always stir some more back in to balance it out, but personally I like it very soggy. It becomes almost porridge-like. If it’s too sour, I’d add honey instead of sugar.

      • @[email protected]
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        22 years ago

        If you’re not overly concerned with sugar content, try some flavoured milk. I bought some banana flavoured soymilk (Alpro I think) a while ago and put it in the fridge overnight with the oats, was amazing, didn’t even need any added fruits or whatever, though I did add some walnuts I had laying around (after the soaking in the fridge).

  • Hyperreality
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    2 years ago

    Traditionally meusli was never meant to be eaten with milk (or yoghurt for that matter). You’re not alone in not liking it either.

    Try apple juice instead,perhaps throw in some berries or sliced apple.

  • @[email protected]
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    62 years ago

    dont use milk, use heavy cream

    dont add sugar, add honey

    granola is superior in every conceivable way though, so make this purchase a learning experience.

  • @[email protected]
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    22 years ago

    If you don’t like the texture, you can let it sit in the liquid for a bit to soften.

    Thicker liquids like (like Turkish or Greek style) yoghurt will take longer, for me about 5 minutes, but I’m guessing you like it mushier. Some have suggested overnight (an unforgivable sin IMHO), but you can easily try it at different intervals to see when is right for you.

    With milk it soaks faster, might be enough for you with 10 minutes.

    The flavors and textures do come from the grains and fruits being only lightly processed though, it might be that you need to transition yourself to it. Feel free to add stuff to get the right texture and flavors, and maybe work backwards from there?

    • @[email protected]OP
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      12 years ago

      Yeah, as I said making porridge with it ( adding water and cooking it) improved it slightly, but I want crunch, not mush. I’m not a fan of porridge because of the mushyness. It’s still better than chewing dry cardboard though. If this was like crushed bricks instead, I wouldn’t complain.

    • @[email protected]
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      122 years ago

      Lol seriously. I had the hardest time finding granola without added sugar and realized that muesli is what I’m looking for.

      It’s awesome in Greek yogurt and blueberries.