Summer serendipity

SNEHA SINGH writes about some of the amazing summer breakfast recipes, which are definitely not like your ‘oh so boring’ morning meals

It ’s that time of the year when you feel low and your energy gets drained quickly, all thanks to the merciless sun and its unpleasant scorching heat. And to beat that heat you need the right amount of nutrition to get through the day, and to kickstart the day you require a healthy breakfast that keeps you full and energised, until you have your lunch, at least. Breakfast, the first meal of the day, should be light and healthy as per nutritionists and health experts, but for Indians, it’s a different case. When we talk about breakfast, it’s always either poha, upma, dosa and oily parathas or a typical western breakfast, which is a bowl of milk and cereals with a glass of orange juice if you’re ‘too’ weight conscious. Take heart, because it’s time to ditch your all time favourite unhealthy desi breakfasts loaded with oil, masala, ghee and say yes to deliciously yummy, easy-peasy dishes ideal for summer

Mango Pineapple Smoothie Bowl

mornings, which are quick, tasty and healthy. Blended with fruits, nuts and cream with a pinch of goodness, here are some amazing breakfast options, which will surely make your summer mornings happier.

Overnight Blueberry Oats

A bowl full of oats a day can keep heart problems at bay. Oats are rich in soluble fibre, which helps in decreasing high cholesterol levels. For overnight oats all you need is oats, milk, nuts or almonds along with berries. This amazing breakfast is best for those who are always on their toes or who just hate cooking. If you have left-over oats, then well enough or else prepare them at night and pour Highly recommended for summer, this tropical-style smoothie can detox you inside out. You just require four ingredients: Banana, mango, pineapple and coconut milk, you can add fresh cream if you like thick smoothies. Add the ingredients altogether in a blender and blend it till it gets the smooth finishing look. Remember the mixture should be thick and for the toppings, mango and pineapple dices with coconut granola or grated coconuts. If you like experimenting with recipes then you are free to add any fresh fruits as per your to taste and preferences. some milk and mix well. Now you need a mason jar or a bowl to keep it in the fridge. Next morning, chop almonds and cut some small berries (blueberries can do wonders), top your chilled oats with nuts, almonds and sweet berries. Add some whipped cream at the top or vanilla ice-cream if you want to enhance the sweetness.

Tropical Papaya Boats

Not just it sounds interesting, but it also looks incredibly colourful and tasty. You just need one fresh papaya, cut it from the middle, the two slices of papaya will be used as a boat. Remove the seeds with the help of a spoon or spatula. Now blend icre-cream, banana and flavoured yogurt untill the mixture becomes smooth. You can use almond milk to blend the mixture properly. Now fill your papaya boat with the mixture and top use cherries and chia seeds as toppings. These ingredients can be changed, you can use your choice of toppings like nuts in place of cherries and chia seeds.

Avocado Toast with Egg

Avocado with egg! This may sound strange, but the combination of these two is a perfect package of healthy, creamy and tasty morning. This is the best option to kill your hunger pangs, because the whole wheat bread with avocado and egg is a true blend of protein, healthy fats and calcium, which will indeed keep your tummy full. Take a whole wheat bread and spread mashed avocado mixed with cottage cheese and for egg, crack the egg into a pan, cook for 2 minutes and don’t flip it. Place the egg on top of your toast with its sunny side up. For final touch, add black pepper or oregano for little spiciness. And voila! Your healthy toast with loads of goodness is ready to eat!

Slow Cooker Raspberry French Toast

If you are bored with same old French toast, then now it’s time to replace it with sweet sumptuous Raspberry French Toast, loaded with choco chips ideal for Sunday morning delights. With minimum ingredients the preparation can be done in a jiffy, but it takes a minimum of two hours to make them, so patience may help you here. Whisk four eggs, two tbsp sugar, some vanilla together in a bowl. For soft and fluffy base, we need challah bread, a special bread in Jewish cuisine so that we get a nice sweet and spongy taste. Place all the challah cubes in the crackpot slow cooker then pour the whisked mixture above the challah cubes. Then sprinkle berries and choco chips. Again, for the formation of layers repeat the same. Pour milk on the top and cook for two hours until it turns puffy.