5 - minute breakfasts

'Grab and go' breakfast bar

Makes: 6 bars
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Calories per portion (1 bar): 300kcal (1,255kJ)

Ingredients

150g jumbo oats
2 very ripe medium bananas
60g melted butter
60g cherries
60g cranberries
40g sunflower seeds
40g pumpkin seeds

Mornings can sometimes be a bit of a rush. Make a batch of these no-added-sugar granola bars in advance for a healthy breakfast on the go.

Preheat the oven to 200C (fan 180C, gas mark 6). Mix the oats, cherries, cranberries, and seeds together in a bowl. Pour in the melted butter and mix in thoroughly to make sure the oats are well coated.

On a separate plate, mash the bananas into a pulp with a fork, then add to the oat mixture and mix well. Spread the mixture into a 30x20cm tin and bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Once cooked, transfer to a wire rack to cool, then cut into 6 bars.

Tips

  • Press the mixture into the baking tin well to help the binding process – but not too hard or it may affect the flavor
  • if your first batch is more crumbly than you'd like, try increasing the amount of mashed banana to moisten the mixture before baking

Or you could try

Banana bagel sandwich:  mash a ripe banana and serve it in a toasted (preferably wholemeal) bagel. Mashing instead of slicing the banana gives the filling a creamier texture, meaning you won't need a low-fat spread.

Quick porridge:  making porridge is easier than you think. Combine 50g of rolled or instant oats with 200ml (or more for runny porridge) of semi-skimmed milk in a bowl, and microwave on full power for 2 minutes. Top with dried fruit or nuts.

1-minute omelette:  combine 1 beaten egg, a few spinach leaves, and some chopped lean roast ham in a bowl. Microwave on full power for 1 minute or until the egg is set.

Weekend treats

English breakfast muffin

 



Serves: 1 adult
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Calories per portion: 309kcal (1,293kJ)

Ingredients

1 wholemeal English muffin, cut in half
1 poached egg
1 slice lean roast ham
20g reduced-fat or "light" medium-hard cheese
2 tsp low-fat spread
20g fresh spinach leaves
Pinch of ground black pepper

Oozing poached egg on a layer of cheese and roast ham – what's not to love about this lower-calorie version of the classic English breakfast muffin?

Preheat the grill and toast the muffins on the cut sides only. Poach the egg in gently simmering water for 3 to 4 minutes until the yolk is set but still runny in the middle.

Spread the toasted muffin sides with the low-fat spread, and layer the spinach leaves, ham and cheese on 1 half. Place the poached egg on top, season with black pepper, and top with the other half of the muffin.

Tips

  • if you prefer, you can scramble the egg with 4 tablespoons of semi-skimmed milk – pour the mixture into a heated pan, cook and stir until the eggs are just set

Or you could try

Overnight oats: combine oats with low-fat yogurt and let sit overnight in the fridge. Add fresh fruit, such as berries, in the morning.

Baked eggs: put an egg (with yolk unbroken) and some crème fraîche in a ramekin. Put the ramekin in a baking dish and fill the dish with hot tap water to 3/4 up the ramekin. Bake for 15 minutes or until the yolk is set to your liking.

Healthy full English breakfast:  for a healthier version of the king of the morning meal – combining eggs, bacon, mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, and baked beans 

 



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