These are my own favourite winter breakfasts – recipes I have developed over time & I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

‘Evolved Porridge’ (Not just your average porridge!)

The recipe below will make a big batch, so you can reduce quantities to make a smaller amount.  It’s great for those whose morning schedules are hectic, as you can just heat up a batch each day to nourish and fuel you for the day.

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa (rinse with warm water)

2 cups oats

1 cup mixed nuts and seeds (hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts, cashews, sunflower, sesame seeds & chia seeds are all great)

1 cup raisins or other dried fruit (sulphur-free – dates, figs, goji berries are good!)

1 tin organic coconut cream (Check the ingredients list on the coconut milk tin. Many coconut milks, including some of the organic ones have a lot of additives. Try to find one that is just coconut and water)

Shredded coconut

Cardamon, cinnamon & nutmeg

2 tbsp tahini

1 litre rice milk (alternatively, you can use soy or almond milk,  I enjoy the lightness of rice milk)

4 finely sliced bananas

2 cups organic corn flakes (sweetened with apple or pear juice rather than sugared)

Directions:

It is best to cook the porridge the night before you plan to eat it. This allows the dried fruit to soak up enough water to make it more digestible.  You can omit or change the quantities of any ingredients, however I feel the coconut cream, tahini and cornflakes to be the key secret ingredients for deliciousness, and the quinoa for nutritional value.

• Pour the grains into a saucepan with a well sealing lid.
• Add the ground cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Add the raisins and dried fruit.
• Add 7 cups of boiling water (2 for each cup of grain + 1 for dried fruit)
• Add the tin of coconut cream.
• Bring to a boil stirring a couple of times and then turn down to simmer with a tightly sealing lid for 12 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and leave to sit for the night (or 20 minutes minimum)
• Heat the rice milk in a separate pot and add to the porridge mixture while stirring.  Be sure to stir right to the bottom of the pan to avoid sticking and burning.
• Stir in the banana, nuts and seeds, tahini, cornflakes and shredded coconut.
• Taste to test that it is warm enough to eat.
• Enjoy!

Stewed Fruit & Quinoa

Ingredients:

(Serves 2)

2 organic apples sliced

1 pear sliced

4 organic dates chopped

¼ cup sultanas

2 cups water

Dash pink salt

Directions

• Add dates & sultanas to salted water, then bring to the boil
• Add apples, simmer for 5 minutes
• Add pear & simmer for another 5 minutes

Serve over a bed of fresh quinoa (you can reheat yesterdays quinoa by pouring boiled water over it in a sieve), can add a dash of sheepsmilk or soy yoghurt or quark & sprinkle with chia seeds.

I love to sprinkle with cinnamon & nutmeg

Delicious!