We have arrived at the beginning of another school year. The pencils are sharpened, the mud has been scrapped off their good shoes and you've even gone all out and bought fancy new lunchboxes in Dunnes Stores. You are school ready!
Now it is time to focus our attention on jazzing up some of the more mundane meals throughout the day. Breakfast is the champion of champions in our house when it comes to mealtimes. It is as fast as it is furious. And I love it because it is the meal where we all end up sitting around the kitchen island, shoving and shouting demands and questions at eachother - in a nice way, I swear.
That's why we've put together five ultra-delicious breakfast recipes. But seriously, this porridge bread is to die for!
1. Porridge Bread
2. Overnight Oats
3. Avocado Toast with eggs
4. Mushroom Omelette
5. Granola Surprise
I love this recipe because it is as quick as it is delicious and there is nothing like freshly baked bread in the morning to make you feel like superwoman. Don't worry though, it only takes as long to cook as a quick shower and getting the children ready for their day or you could do it the night before because again, superwoman! The beauty of this is that it means you won't have to wait tapping the foot as they load cereal into their mouths at exactly 000.004 miles per hour.
What you'll need:
- 500ml carton low-fat natural yoghurt
- A large egg
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 375g porridge oats
- 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
What you'll do:
Hear the oven to 200°C. Next, mix the yoghurt into a bowl with the egg and the oil. Throw in the porridge oats and bicarbonate of soda. Oil a loaf tin and then pour in the oaty mixture. Make for 45 mins and there you have a delicious, healthy breakfast for the whole house.
There is nothing like saying the words 'overnight oats' or 'chia seeds' to make you feel like you need your own healthy Instagram account. This is a great way to make sure your littlies get a really hearty breakfast that will set them up for the day.
What you'll need:
- 25g traditional porridge oats
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 150ml milk
- 4 tsp pumpkin seeds
- 2 tbsp dried fruit berry mix with cranberries, blueberries and goji berries
- 50g fresh raspberries
- 1 tsp honey
What you'll do:
Divide the oats, chia seeds and milk into jars and shake. Leave in the fridge overnight, scatter over the rest of the seeds and dried berries, drizzle with honey and your breakfast is ready! This recipe is not only ridiculously easy but also tastes fantastic.
I often think that 'cooking' in the morning will take ages but these little beauties are a great way to shake up your wake up.
What you'll need
- 250g cherry tomatoes
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 4 medium eggs
- 4 slices of white sliced pan
- 2 firm ripe avocados
- Lemon to taste
What you'll do:
Preheat the oven to 200°C. Arrange the tomatoes in a baking tin with a little oil and season. Roast them in the oven for about 10 minutes. Next, fill a saucepan with water, add vinegar and a pinch of salt and bring to the boil. Crack in the eggs and cook them for two minutes. Drain them. Finally, mash the avocados in a bowl, squeeze in a little lemon and spread them on the toast. Pop the eggs and the tomatoes on top and you have just created a lovely, very attractive breakfast.
This is a great way to sneak in a little veg in the mornings while also giving your children a good boost of protein to start their day well. You can add in the ham or other ingredients depending on their likes and dislikes.
What you'll need:
- 2 tsp sunflower oil
- 150g Irish mushrooms
- 4 medium eggs
- butter
- 25g cheddar cheese grated
- snipped fresh chives to garnish
What you'll do:
Heat the oil in a pan, sauté the mushrooms for two minutes and tip into a bowl. Break the eggs into a bowl and lightly beat them with a pinch of salt. When the pan is hot, add the oil and butter. Pour in the egg mixture, stir gently. Once the eggs have almost set, scatter in the mushrooms and cheese. Flip to make sure the inside is cooked and once solid, flip onto your waiting plate.
My children don't get much of an opportunity to get as many nuts and seeds as I'd like. That's why this recipe is a winner for me. It is quick and balanced.
What you'll need:
- 350g Porridge Oats
- 4 tbsp Sunflower oil
- 4 tbsp honey
- 100g seed mix
- 100g trail mix
What you'll do:
Heat the oven to 160°C. Heat the oil and honey together into a small pot until they melt together. Pour over oats and seeds, mix to combine. Pour them out onto the baking sheet. Bake them for about 20 minutes and once golden, stir in a pack of trail mix. Leave to cool and then store your homemade granola in an airtight container. Serve with a dollop of natural yogurt and scatter with colourful berries.
Anything in my house that we describe as 'surprise' gets gobbled up immediately.
Let us know your suggestions for quick and easy breakfasts that will shake up your wake up this term!
