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Recipe: Lazy eggs benny
Lazy eggs benny is one of my go-to favourite brunches. It’s the no-fuss quick and easy version of proper eggs Benedict, hence the name “lazy”. Below are my guidelines to make eggs benny lazy: use soft-boiled eggs instead of poached ones use smoked salmon or ham, which don’t need to be cooked, instead of bacon use mayonnaise instead of hollandaise (it’s easier to make and keeps longer in the fridge) use whatever bread you have in hand, no need to go out of your way to buy English muffins while spinach is the most common vegetable used in eggs Benedict, you can use whatever greens or other vegetables you have…
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Recipe: Pan con chicharrón (Peruvian pork roll)
Pan con chicharrón is one of the most iconic sandwiches of my home country. This is the Peruvian version of pork roll commonly eaten for breakfast or lonche (afternoon tea). Chicharrón commonly refers to fried pork in many former Spanish colonies. In Peru, however, you can also find chicharrón de pollo (chicken), pescado (fish), mariscos (seafood), etc. But back to pork! Peruvian chicharrón is cooked similarly to Mexican carnitas: boiled until the water is evaporated and then fried, traditionally in lard but these days usually in oil. Then it’s served in a French-style bread roll with slices of camote frito (fried sweet potato) and salsa criolla (lime-marinated onions). My version…
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Product review: Uncle Toby’s Super Blends
Uncle Toby’s Super Blends are a tasty upgrade to plain breakfast porridge. They are a convenient and fibre-rich way of starting your day. Uncle Toby’s Super Blends The current flavours are Prebiotic Fibre, Protein Almond and Protein Cranberry. They come in boxes containing 8 individual serve pouches. They can be made by simply mixing with 2/3 cup milk (don’t worry if you don’t have a measuring cup, you can fill the empty sachet up to a line) and microwaving for a couple of minutes. You can also use them in a variety of recipes that you can get on the website. They recommend using skim milk but any milk (or…
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Recipe: Kefir banana smoothie
This kefir banana smoothie is a great way to incorporate fermented milk drinks into your diet. It is great for breakfast or as a post-workout drink. You can use any kind of dairy or non-dairy unsweetened kefir or other fermented milk drinks, such as filmjölk or drinking yoghurt. The protein powder is optional, depending on your needs. For example, you can add it if you’re having this smoothie as a post-workout drink or it’s all you’re having for breakfast. I prefer unflavoured protein powder, such as natural whey protein isolate (WPI) from either True Protein or 180 Nutrition. You can also use your favourite unflavoured plant-based protein.
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Recipe: Sweet potato frittata with kale and feta
This sweet potato frittata with kale and feta is perfect for make-ahead breakfasts or as a light meal any time of the day. It keeps well for 4-5 days in the fridge and can be frozen for later consumption, too. I used goat’s feta, which pairs great with the sweetness of sweet potato. Traditional feta made from sheep and goat’s milk would work great, too, as would regular cow’s milk feta. This recipe is gluten-free and vegetarian. It has a decent amount of protein (22.9g per serve) and the 28.4g of carbs from the sweet potato are lower GI and come packed with micronutrients (see potatoes vs sweet potatoes for…
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Recipe: Shakshuka with feta
As I’m still having food withdrawals from my trip to Israel earlier this year, I have been trying to replicate some dishes in my kitchen. Shakshuka is perhaps the most popular breakfast dish in Israeli cuisine. It’s basically eggs poached in a rich tomato-based sauce, served with bread, optional toppings and a few sides. Shakshuka with feta is one of my favourite variations. This dish is gluten-free if served with gluten-free bread. I used Nonie’s Food gluten-free pita, which like all their breads is outstanding. This is a vegetarian breakfast but you can omit the cheese for a dairy-free/vegan version.
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Recipe: Peanut butter protein banana bread
This peanut butter protein banana bread is great for breakfast, morning tea or afternoon tea. Because it’s high in protein, it also qualifies as a great post-workout snack. This treat is gluten-free and can be dairy-free. In addition, it does not contain added sugar. Notes on ingredients: I think this is common knowledge by now, but in case you didn’t know: super ripe bananas make the best banana bread You can use either smooth or crunchy peanut butter, as it will be ground further in the food processor anyway I used natural whey protein isolate from True Protein but you can use any type of whey or plant-based protein powder…
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Recipe: Morcilla and eggs with broccolini and braised fennel
Morcilla is a type of blood sausage that is popular in Spain and its former colonies. In Perú, it is mostly enjoyed in a bread roll, but I like to pair it more interesting accompaniments. Hence, I created this brunch recipe: morcilla and eggs with broccolini and braised fennel. A couple of good morcilla brands in Australia are Rodriguez Bros and La Boqueria. The recipe calls for a few different steps just because I wanted to choose the best cooking method for each element to achieve the desired end result: tender fennel, bright crunchy broccolini, brown morcilla slices and gooey eggs. However, there is no reason for you not to…
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Recipe: Asparagus and feta frittata
This asparagus and feta frittata is a quick breakfast you can make on the weekend and refrigerate to eat during the week. It’s a great way of consuming quality protein, calcium and vegetables in the morning. Of course, you can also pair it with a salad to have it for lunch or dinner. You can use this same basic recipe as a template and substitute your favourite vegetable and cheese. Feel free to add your favourite herbs and spices, too.
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Recipe: Banana pancakes
Banana pancakes are the perhaps the easiest pancakes you’ll ever make. This recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free. The basic recipe has only 2 ingredients: banana and eggs. That’s 1 serve of fruit and 1 serve of protein foods ticked off for the day. I add cinnamon because I love its taste and it helps control blood sugar. Ripe bananas work best for this recipe, as they are easier to mash. Smaller pancakes are easier to flip. If you are like me and the sweetness of the banana is enough, you can use unsweetened yoghurt (e.g. YoPro or Rokeby Farms) or peanut butter (e.g. Mayver’s) as toppings. These will also…
