My first paid job as a food stylist and photographer! Can you believe it? I remember the first time a food magazine approached me. It was nearly two years ago, a couple of months after I launched my blog. The editor liked what she saw and offered me to put together 14 pages of sweet and savory cookies – in two days I must add. When I asked her what the terms were, she said: “Ohh, we don’t pay. But we’ll make sure to mention your blog.” Isn’t it nice of her? Well anyways, those days are gone and I’ve finally found someone who is willing to compensate for my hard work.
The magazine I am talking about is BRAVACASA, one of Italy’s best interior design magazines. BRAVACASA recently launched in Turkey and they hired me to put together the food section for the first issue. I came up with four different recipes around a Chocolate & Hazelnut theme. Here’s one of those recipes: Chocolate and Hazelnut Granola.
More will follow!
A couple of tweaks in the old version turned out to be a very satisfying breakfast.
CHOCOLATE AND HAZELNUT GRANOLA RECIPE
Dry Ingredients
- 5 cups rolled oats
- 1 + 1/4 cups hazelnuts, chopped finely
- 1/2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 + 1/2 oz milk chocolate, chopped
- 3 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- 1/3 cup fruit puree (I’ve used a mixture of pineapple, peach and pear baby food)
Method
- Preheat your oven to 300F.
- Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine oats, hazelnuts, coconut and salt. Stir to mix well.
- In a small pan over medium heat, stir all of the wet ingredients until completely blended.
- Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ones, and mix until completely blended.
- Spread the mixture evenly on two rimmed baking sheets.
- Place the baking sheets on lower and upper thirds of your oven.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, rotating pans and stirring the mixture every 10 minutes.
- Remove the pans from the oven, give it a good stir and set aside to cool.
- Transfer to an airtight container, mix in both chocolates and store in your refrigerator.
Congratulations Cenk! Well deserved…I love this recipe…quite indulgent.
Congratulations!!! I’m happy for you, you do a great job here, on your blog. Chocolate and hazelnut is such a nice theme. I always have a bar of chocolate with whole hazelnuts at home, it’s one of my favorite combination of flavors. And, by the way, I’ve just posted a recipe using chocolate and hazelnuts on my blog too
Bravissimo! That’s so exciting, especially since the interest came from an external company to have you set up something there. Good job, Cenk!
How exciting! Your pictures are always so mouthwatering.
This looks fantastic! Hazelnuts and chocolate — one of my favorite combinations. I made Nigella’s recipe off Molly’s site this past weekend. I really liked it but was looking to improve it. This just might be the way!
Congrats Cenk! You must be so excited. Very well deserved!
Ah.. I just woke up and having my coffee, then I see your granola. I need my breakfast right now!
Peter G – Thank you!
Karolina – That banana bread looks delicious. I can’t wait to try it.
Sara – Thank you! It was an amazing experience for me.
Patsyk – Thanks.
Dana – I made my first granola recipe from Molly’s blog! Hope you like this one, too.
congratulations,Cenk! Hope to see more of the photos you took for them soon!
Beautiful, as always! I’m glad you got this opportunity, Cenk. Well deserved – you are so talented!
Hi Cenk….
Felicitations!! I think that’s great…. to be recognized AND paid for your obvious talent!! I wish you lots of success… and many more paid jobs… Your recipe looks wonderful, btw!! I must try it!
Merci beaucoup et bonne continuation…
Leesa
wow! congrats cenk!
Congratulations, Cenk! I made an association with Cafe Fernando and chocolate in my mind; whenever I need to know anything about it or a recipe related to it, I came here. And this proves, once again, why I do it. Btw, I love that white plate.
congratulations! i looooove it!
congratulations, Cenk! The photos look fantastic
definitely deserving of compensation and recognition!
wow that is awesome!! congrats! i’ve added the bravacasa link to my faves, it’s also a good excuse for me to continue practicing my Italian!
Congratulations!
Your photos are amazing
How cool is that?! Congratulations, the Chocolate granola sounds absolutely decadent!
Hi Cenk! Have been a quiet admirer of your photographs and of course your food! Thanks to you I am getting to enjoy photographing my food. http://www.flickr.com/photos/29669877@N08/page5/
Bravo! They recognized your talent and passion for great food.
Hi Cenk! Bravo! You clearly have the talent. And the chocolate granola looks amazing.
Wonderful news! And great recipe too!
This si awesome news Cenk! Hearty COngratulations!, and wish you tonnes of such “paid jobs” ahead:)D your food and photos are always inspiring!!:)
silently happy 4u
Looks beautiful and congratulations!
Your Granola recipe is wonderful…only terrible for my diet… Thanks for sharing this granola recipe…another 20 minutes on the tredmill..thanks
Andy
http://www.recipebuddys.com
Congratulations!!! Very well-deserved!
That recipe looks fantastic…I already love granola but with chocolate and hazelnuts??? I’m sold!!! Thanks for sharing the recipe 
Congratulations on such an exciting new job! And thank you for your recipe, I adore homemade granola.
Chocolate can help people are bad mood.
this is going to be my holiday gift this year..
:0)
I first made your granola three years ago, and it has been my breakfast staple ever since. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe!
Lisa – Glad to hear you liked it!