We’ve all heard about how it’s the most important meal of the day. Most of us only have time to shower, wipe the sleep from our eyes and grab some coffee. Who has the time to cook up a gourmet meal that happens to be healthy as well? You do. Here are three recipes that may have you hitting the snooze button one less time.
Five Minutes: Bowl O’ Energy
This recipe is inspired by an article on www.fitsugar.com, which is a Web site devoted to healthy lifestyles. The article urges readers to upgrade their plain old cereal bowl to a powerhouse of fiber, fruit, protein and nuts for energy. Here’s one option that follows these rules and only takes minutes to pull together.
Ingredients
1 big handful of blueberries, rinsed
1/4 cup of diced pineapple, canned or fresh
1/4 cup of any fiber-rich cereal, such as Nature’s Path Organic Flax Plus Raisin Bran (or any kind with eight grams or higher)
3 heaping spoonfuls of nonfat Greek yogurt
1/4 cup of soymilk
1 handful of almonds
Sprinkle of flaxseed
Method
Mix all ingredients in a bowl, and let sit for a moment or so, letting the flavors mix together and allowing the cereal to soften a bit. Stir once more, and enjoy.
Seven Minutes: Oh-So-Creamy Smoothie
This recipe may not take seven minutes if you just throw the ingredients in the blender and press high. The Alton Brown method, which he recently described in his Good Eats episode “Live and Let Diet,” may take a little more time, but it’ll be well worth the wait.
Ingredients
1 frozen banana
1/2 cup of soymilk
1/4 cup of frozen peaches
1/4 cup of any mixed berries (strawberries are especially delicious)
1 heaping spoonful of Greek yogurt
1 spoonful of ice
Method
Put all frozen ingredients in a blender and let sit while you make a hot cup of green tea or coffee. This will allow the fruit to thaw a bit, causing them to blend better when the time comes.
Next, add the rest of the ingredients to the blender and place the lid over the top.
Put the power to low and blend for about 45 seconds, then kick it up to medium until the mixture begins to look creamy.
Lastly, blend the mixture on high for one minute until smoothie is at your desired consistency.
Pour in a glass with a straw, or a to-go cup.
Enjoy your liquid breakfast!
10 Minutes: Herbes de Provence Tofu Scramble With Peas
This breakfast takes the most time, but the savory and elegant flavors will transport you to a different place than your living room. This easy meal could also double as a quick dinner or lunch when paired with a side salad.
Ingredients
1 shallot
1 large chunk of extra-firm tofu
1/2 cup of frozen peas
1 tablespoon of Herbes de Provence
1 pinch of sea salt
Olive oil
Method
Remove papery layer from shallot and mince like you would a garlic clove.
Slice off desired amount of tofu from its block, and squeeze both sides to ensure there isn’t any extra moisture. Crumble between your fingers into small pieces.
Coat a skillet with a thin layer of oil, about one tablespoon. Turn the heat to medium-high.
Add shallot, and move around with a spatula until it has softened a bit, around a minute.
Turn the heat to high, add peas and salt, stirring until warmed through and peas are no longer frozen.
Add tofu crumbles and Herbes de Provence and mix the ingredients together, allowing the flavors to mingle.
Taste for seasoning, add more salt or Herbes de Provence if desired.
Enjoy with a piece of whole wheat toast or an English muffin.