As the saying goes, breakfast is the most important meal of the day and, with approximately 89% of the UK enjoying it every morning, it's clear that the old adage is still as true as ever.
What has changed is what we're eating. Thanks to the rise of cafes serving healthy, vibrant breakfasts inspired by Australia and New Zealand, 'breakfast bowls' have become one of the most popular breakfast options, both outside the home and in our own kitchens.
Bursting with colour, breakfast bowls allow you to start your day with superfoods (nutrient-rich foods that benefit your health and wellbeing) such as kale, fresh fruit, berries, granola and quinoa. The idea is to deliver a meal that is both tasty and healthy, and that is quick to assemble. Here are some of our favourites for you to try at home.
Gluten free peanut butter and fruit quinoa
This delicious breakfast quinoa makes four servings of just 290 calories each that look amazing, taste even better and will keep you energised until lunchtime.
To make this recipe, you will need:
2 cups of water
1 cup of quinoa
¼ cup of apple juice
3 tablespoons reduced fat peanut butter
1 banana, chopped
1 small handful of strawberries or raspberries
4 teaspoons unsalted peanuts
Combine the quinoa and water in a saucepan, bring to the boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, then cook, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes until the water is absorbed. Remove from the heat, then stir in the apple juice and peanut butter until combined. Stir in the banana.
Next, divide the mixture among four bowls and top with some of the strawberries/raspberries and peanuts. And enjoy!
Tropical Smoothie Bowl
Bring some sunshine to your kitchen table with this sweet, tropical, vegan blend that's packed with vitamins and minerals.
To make this recipe, you will need:
1 small mango, cut into chunks
200g pineapple, cut into chunks
2 bananas
2 tbsp coconut yoghurt (not coconut-flavoured yoghurt)
150ml coconut drinking milk
2 passion fruits
handful of blueberries
2 tbsp coconut flakes
mint leaves
Put the mango, pineapple, bananas, yogurt and coconut milk in a blender, then blitz until smooth. Pour into two bowls and top with the passion fruit, blueberries, coconut flakes and mint leaves just before serving.
Vanilla-almond chia breakfast bowl
This bowl combines seeds, nuts, fruit and oats for a fibre-packed meal that will keep you fuller for longer.
To make this recipe, you will need:
50g jumbo porridge oats
200ml unsweetened almond milk
½ tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp low-fat natural yoghurt
25g chia seeds
150g of blueberries
25g flaked almonds
clear honey
Mix the oats, almond milk, vanilla extract, yoghurt and chia seeds in a bowl and set aside for 20 minutes or until the oats have softened. Stir through half the blueberries, divide the mixture between 2 bowls and top with the remaining berries, almonds and honey (to taste).
Partner your bowl with the right coffee
Whichever breakfast bowl you decide to try, a cup of nutrient-packed coffee makes the perfect accompaniment and will help raise your energy levels further still. Find your favourite coffee at your nearest Cafe2U van here.