Ahhhhh bananas. Love them. I can not fathom how anybody could not (banana haters, leave now!). Adam and I go through about 10 - 12 bananas a week and I often have to do a mid-week banana shop. They are my go to pre-workout snack and I always, always have a banana at breakfast, unless there are none left, which is depressing.
I don't really like the term 'superfood', but for me, if I had to pick a food that stands above the rest, bananas would be it. One banana contains a multitude of vitamins and minerals, making it the perfect go to snack, especially during that afternoon slump. It contains the highest amount of Vitamin B6 of any fruit, a huge amount of potassium and recent studies have shown that bananas can protect nerve cells and can assist with reducing the ability for LDL (bad cholesterol) to be as damaging to the arteries and heart. Plus, it's easy to carry around and you never have to worry about it going off (actually, I work in a school and I have seen bananas appear from underneath tables after about a week, maybe not a good idea to eat them then....).
SO with this in mind, I created my favourite breakfast of all time - Caramelised banana & quinoa porridge. My favourite foods - bananas, coconut and quinoa, all in one! Soooooo warm and filling, I save this for the weekends when I have a little extra time, as you need to fry the bananas for the topping (and then wash the pan!). Using quinoa flakes makes it gluten free as I still am unable to tolerate oats, but you could use oats if you wish. I have also melted peanut butter over the top at times, and added chocolate chips into the porridge while I'm letting it stand :-)
I don't really like the term 'superfood', but for me, if I had to pick a food that stands above the rest, bananas would be it. One banana contains a multitude of vitamins and minerals, making it the perfect go to snack, especially during that afternoon slump. It contains the highest amount of Vitamin B6 of any fruit, a huge amount of potassium and recent studies have shown that bananas can protect nerve cells and can assist with reducing the ability for LDL (bad cholesterol) to be as damaging to the arteries and heart. Plus, it's easy to carry around and you never have to worry about it going off (actually, I work in a school and I have seen bananas appear from underneath tables after about a week, maybe not a good idea to eat them then....).
SO with this in mind, I created my favourite breakfast of all time - Caramelised banana & quinoa porridge. My favourite foods - bananas, coconut and quinoa, all in one! Soooooo warm and filling, I save this for the weekends when I have a little extra time, as you need to fry the bananas for the topping (and then wash the pan!). Using quinoa flakes makes it gluten free as I still am unable to tolerate oats, but you could use oats if you wish. I have also melted peanut butter over the top at times, and added chocolate chips into the porridge while I'm letting it stand :-)
Quinoa porridge with caramelised bananas.
1/2 cup quinoa flakes
1/2 cup almond milk and a little water
Stevia & cinnamon to your liking
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1 banana
1 tsp coconut oil
1 tsp honey
Coconut chips
Porridge:
Cook the quinoa flakes in a pot with the almond milk, water, stevia and cinnamon.
When they are close to being done, add in 1/2 cup liquid egg whites.
Stir for a few minutes until fluffy and cooked (make sure you stir quickly as you don't want the egg whites to scramble).
Turn off and leave to cook.
Bananas:
Heat coconut oil and honey in a pan until melted.
Add sliced banana to pan and the banana will cook and caramelise! :-D
I have tried to flip the banana pieces before but they sometimes fall apart. If you want to cook both sides, make sure your banana slices are quite thick.
Serve with coconut chips and a drizzling of maple syrup.... drool!
1/2 cup almond milk and a little water
Stevia & cinnamon to your liking
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1 banana
1 tsp coconut oil
1 tsp honey
Coconut chips
Porridge:
Cook the quinoa flakes in a pot with the almond milk, water, stevia and cinnamon.
When they are close to being done, add in 1/2 cup liquid egg whites.
Stir for a few minutes until fluffy and cooked (make sure you stir quickly as you don't want the egg whites to scramble).
Turn off and leave to cook.
Bananas:
Heat coconut oil and honey in a pan until melted.
Add sliced banana to pan and the banana will cook and caramelise! :-D
I have tried to flip the banana pieces before but they sometimes fall apart. If you want to cook both sides, make sure your banana slices are quite thick.
Serve with coconut chips and a drizzling of maple syrup.... drool!