Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and the one most overlooked. For a happy and energy-filled day, pay special attention to your breakfast.
Whether you’re in a hurry and want to grab and go to work or want to have a leisurely breakfast before a morning jog, try these recipes for a nutritious and healthy meal.
1. Almond butter granola
This homemade granola is going to be your next favorite thing. It’s nutritious, simple to make, and cheaper than store-bought granola. And you can store it in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
For this delightful homemade granola, gather your ingredients: old-fashioned oats (3 cups), raw almonds (1 cup), shredded coconut (⅓ cup), ground cinnamon (¾ teaspoon), ground nutmeg (¼ teaspoon), kosher salt (½ teaspoon), creamy almond butter (⅓ cup), honey (⅓ cup), unsalted butter (6 tablespoons), and vanilla extract (1 teaspoon).
Here’s how to make it: Preheat your oven to 300°F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside. In a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, coconut, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then season it with salt.
In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the almond butter, honey, and butter, stirring until the mixture becomes smooth. Remove it from the heat and add the vanilla extract. Now, add the previously prepared oat mixture to the pan and stir everything together.
Spread this mixture onto the baking pan and bake for about 35 minutes or until it turns a delightful golden brown. Remember to stir the mixture halfway through baking for even cooking. Once it’s done, take it out of the oven and allow it to cool before serving.
2. Waffles
Making waffles from scratch is really easy. You can make this easy waffle recipe for golden and crispy waffles that will be soft and fluffy inside. You can serve them with butter, cut-up fruits, jam, or anything you like.
To whip up some delicious waffles, you’ll need the following ingredients: all-purpose flour (2¼ cups or 270g), granulated sugar (¼ cup or 50g), baking powder (1 tablespoon), salt (¾ teaspoon), milk (2 cups or 480ml), melted unsalted butter (½ cup or 113g), large eggs (2), and vanilla extract (2 teaspoons).
First, set your waffle iron to preheat. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt, and whisk everything together.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is thoroughly combined. Now, give the hot waffle iron a quick spray of butter or cooking spray, and pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto it for each waffle (adjust the amount to match your waffle iron’s size). Close the lid and cook until the waffles are a delightful golden brown.
Serve them while they’re hot, and you can top them with your favorite treats like chocolate sauce, maple syrup, or any other toppings of your choice.
3. Salsa poached eggs
If you crave something savory in the morning, this Shakshuka-inspired recipe is something you should have in your pocket. You can add so many other ingredients to the sauce, like jalapenos, corn, or chipotle powder for an extra spicy kick. Also, you can try different toppings like cheese, siracha sauce, or guacamole to create your own variation.
To make this savory and flavorful dish, gather your ingredients: a yellow onion, garlic cloves (2), olive oil (2 tablespoons), a can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes (15oz.), a can of diced green chiles (4oz.), tomato paste (2 tablespoons), cumin (1/2 teaspoon), cayenne (1/8 teaspoon), salt (1/2 teaspoon), freshly cracked black pepper (1/4 teaspoon), water (1/2 cup), large eggs (4), green onions (2, sliced), and chopped cilantro (2 tablespoons, optional).
In a deep skillet, heat some olive oil. Dice the onions into small cubes and mince the garlic, then add them to the skillet. Sauté over medium heat until the onions soften. Next, introduce the tomato paste, diced tomatoes with their juices, green chiles with their juices, cumin, cayenne, salt, pepper, and water to the skillet. Stir to combine and bring the salsa to a simmer. Allow the salsa to simmer slowly for about ten minutes or until it thickens, stirring occasionally. Use the back of a spatula to create four indentations in the salsa, then crack an egg into each one.
Place a lid on the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and let the eggs simmer in the salsa for 7–10 minutes, adjusting the time according to your desired yolk consistency (less time for runny yolks, more for solid ones). When the eggs are done, top them with sliced green onions and chopped cilantro (if using). Serve this delightful dish with tortilla chips or a bowl of grits.
4. Beans and cheese on toast
This is a novel take on a classic recipe that’s known by many. Enjoy making this elevated version with spices that will tantalize your taste buds.
To prepare this hearty and satisfying dish, you’ll need the following ingredients: vegetable oil (2 tablespoons), a large onion (finely chopped), garlic cloves (4, finely chopped), smoked paprika (1 teaspoon, plus extra for sprinkling), ground cumin (1 teaspoon), chipotle chili paste (to taste) or chili flakes (optional), a can of chopped tomatoes or passata (200g), and two cans of beans of your choice (400g each, kidney and cannellini work well), drained and rinsed. You’ll also need 4-8 slices of crusty bread and grated cheddar (150g).
Here’s how to make it: In a heavy-based frying pan, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté them until they soften and develop a slight caramelization. Next, add the garlic, paprika, cumin, chipotle chili paste, or chili flakes if using, and season with salt to taste. Fry the mixture for a few minutes until it becomes fragrant. Then, add the tomatoes and 100 ml of water. Simmer the mixture until it thickens. Using a hand blender, blitz the mixture into a sauce, and check the seasoning, adjusting if necessary.
Add the drained beans to the mixture and stir everything together. Place it back on the stove and warm over medium heat until it’s piping hot. While the beans are warming, toast some slices of bread until they turn golden and crispy. Arrange them on a plate and top with the beans and grated cheese. Heat the grill and place the toast under it to melt the cheese.
Finally, sprinkle the dish with paprika and serve your delicious meal.
5. Brioche breakfast sandwich
This delicious breakfast sandwich can be a quick grab-and-go meal in the morning. It requires minimal prep; you can prep-cook the spinach. In the morning, cook the egg and assemble it.
You’ll need the following ingredients: brioche buns (2), baby spinach (100g), olive oil (1 tablespoon), eggs (2), a pack of smoked salmon (120 grams), hollandaise sauce (100g), finely chopped dill (3g), and a pinch of paprika.
First, cut the brioche buns in half and toast them until they turn golden.
In a nonstick frying pan, stir-fry the baby spinach with 1 tablespoon of water until it wilts. Transfer the wilted spinach to a plate and season it to your liking. Next, in the same pan, wipe away any leftover residue, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil, crack two eggs, and fry them for 4-5 minutes until the egg whites are fully cooked.
Now, place your brioche buns on a plate. Add the smoked salmon to the base bun, and top it with the spinach and egg. Drizzle hollandaise sauce generously on top. To finish, garnish with dill and a pinch of paprika. Place the bun lids on top, and serve the dish while it’s hot and fresh. Enjoy your delicious meal!
The Last Word
Hopefully, these delicious and easy-to-make recipes have inspired you to whip up something to give yourself a great start to the day. Try to make an effort to start your day with delicious and nutritious food to boost your energy levels and give yourself a nice little treat.