Choc chip, coconut and cranberry flapjacks - and random covid videos

Lockdown 6 has given me a craving for milk chocolate.  But my doctor was suggesting I should eat more oats.  And before lockdown began I bought a giant bag of sweet ginger flavoured coconut chips that just needs to be used.  Add cranberries and you have some delicious choc chip, coconut and cranberry flapjacks.  Actually I used dark chocolate choc chips because they are usually so sweet compared to proper dark chocolate.

These flapjacks were so easy and so good.  I made them twice during lockdown because I liked them so much.  I stopped making them because they are very easy to eat.  But lockdown is over, covid normal is starting and I can see times when I can make these for sharing with more people.  The bag of coconut chips is so big I don't think I will ever finish it, but if I do I would be happy to make these with regular coconut chips or shredded coconut and some spice.  

They would be a nice Christmas flapjack with the ginger spiced coconut flakes.  Unfortunately I have less opportunity for Christmas baking this year because lockdown robbed me of my annual Christmas in July.  But maybe I need to start on Christmas baking now to make up for that loss!

Other combinations of add-ins would work.  The recipe is based on a Jamie Oliver flapjack recipe that just directs to use dried fruit and nuts.  He used a food processor which I found quite unnecessary and I also liked that when I baked the second batch that I baked them longer and higher for 25 minutes at 190 C to make them dark golden brown.  They still softened up the next day.  And they last well (she says, as though she didn't scoff them all too quickly because they made working from home that little better).

Finally, here are some fun videos relating to government and covid:

A message to NSW from Victoria: Hookturnistan invades - I love Sammy J's Hookturnistan videos, and this one comparing NSW to Victoria is hilarious.

Extra chewing gum post lockdown advert - one of the best advertisements full of such tentativeness and joie de vivre of the freedom.

Clarke and Dawe - Does Australia need a government - this is an old video from 2015 but still relevant enough to be shared recently with regard to some our of government decisions.

Gladys Bereijiklian takes over the world - this mash up of the NSW premier's lockdown press conferences was clever, disturbing and sadly did not predict that she would lose her job before everyone could get out of lockdown.

2020 vs 2021 vs 2022 part 1 by Jimmy Rees - a humourous look at how our lives have changed with Covid and the anxiety at how they might change if Covid is over in 2022 (I will believe that when I see it).  If you like part 1, there is also a Part 2.

You ought to be vaccinated commercial - another feel good commercial, this one encouraging vaccinations using the jingle from the Meadow Lea margarine advert ("you ought to be congratulated").

More oaty slices on Green Gourmet Giraffe:
Choc chip muesli slice 
Fruit, nut and tahini slice (v)
Glo bars (gf, v)
Muesli slice (v)
No bake chocolate oat slice (v)
Rustic muesli squares

Choc chip, coconut and cranberry flapjacks
Adapted from Jamie Oliver

100 g unsalted butter or margarine (at room temperature)
100 g rolled oats
100 g self-raising flour
100 g golden syrup 

100 g choc chips
50 g coconut flakes
50 g dried cranberries

 

Preheat oven to 180 C and line a 20cm square tin with baking paper.

Mix butter, oats and flour.  (I did this by hand because I used margarine and I like to minimise washing up, but Jamie suggests the food processor.)  Mix in golden syrup and then add choc chips, coconut flakes and cranberries.  

Scrape mixture into tin and smooth on top.  Bake for 15-25 minutes or until golden brown.  Roughly cut into 25 squares.  Cool in the tin for 5 minutes.  Remove from tin carefully onto a wire rack to cool to room temperature.  Cut along lines that were cut earlier when straight out of oven.

NOTES: the second time I made this I baked it for 25 minutes at 190 C until golden brown all over and cut it into 25 slices and much preferred it.  However my oven often bakes slower than other ovens!  My coconut flakes were toasted with a sweet ginger flavour but you can add in what dried coconut you have and some spices if you like that sort of thing.  You can also substitute other dried fruits and nuts for the choc chips and cranberries.  If you want these to be vegan, use vegan margarine and vegan choc chips or chopped chocolate.

On the stereo:
Chansons d'Ennui Tip-Top - Jarvis Cocker