Today is White Day, a Japanese FEMALE exclusive Valentine’s Day, if you will. So to celebrate myself, I took the time to assemble these fancy bananas for my breakfast. Self love 101!
All natural nut butter, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, slivered almonds, raisins and unsweetened dedicated coconut! Surprisingly filling ^.^
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This one’s dedicated to my homies back home who are freezing their butts off. Have you heard of amaranth? If you’re shaking your head, click here to find out more from this lady genius. In short, it’s a gluten-free, high protein superfood. It can either be cooked into an oatmeal/porridge or puffed and used as a granola. In Japan, I found amaranth next to the rice and quinoa in the supermarket but in New Zealand, amaranth was in the separate health isle. NOTE: amaranth is an unusual texture…I liked it but I can’t promise you will…
PS this recipe feeds one only so you’ll have to double it if you’re sharing or super hangry.
Porridge:
1/4 cup amaranth
1/2 cup almond milk
1 tsp cinnamon
Nanas:
2 baby bananas or 1 big
dash of pure maple syrup
squeeze of lemon
Soak the amaranth for at least 8 hours but for best results, 24! I know; “ain’t no body got time for that!” but it’s what’s needed if you’re after its precious nutrients.
Drain and rinse the amaranth.
Place all porridge ingredients in a small pot and bring to a boil.
Reduce to a simmer and close the lid.
Stir occasionally until a porridge-like consistency is formed – you may have to add more water/milk.
In the meantime, cut the bananas horizontally with skin on.
Lay on an oven tray and drizzle with maple syrup and a big squeeze of lemon juice.
Bake for 10-15 minutes on 160C in a toaster oven or if you don’t mind wasting electricity, an oven oven.
This list is inspired by the colossal box of nanas my dad brought home the other day.
My top 10 simple and healthy (not an oxymoron, surprisingly) ways to eat BANANAS (thanks Gwen for teaching 7 year old, non-english speaking me the correct spelling).
1. In smoothies
Tropical avocado and banana smoothie recipe, here.
Caramel nut smoothie recipe, here.
Breakfast smoothie recipe, here.
2. As CHOCOLATE MOUSSE (yep, you read right)
Simply blend 2 bananas, 3 tbsp raw cacao powder or good quality cocoa powder, 1 tbsp honey and 1 tbsp nut butter (my favourite is almond) until smooth then refrigerate to set. Serve with fresh berries- oh mama!
3. As ICECREAM
Slice bananas and freeze until solid. Place frozen bananas in a food processor and whizz until smooth and creamy. Eat immediately or refreeze if desired to use later. If using later, remove from freezer a few minutes before use to allow to soften.
For a little shizam: add the likes of cinnamon, peanut butter, cacao powder, honey and maple syrup OR just freeze the above mousse recipe. Trust me, it’s heavenly!
4. Baked
Slice 4 whole bananas lengthways then lay skin down in a large baking tray. Drizzle with 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup and juice of half a lemon then sprinkle with a little cinnamon. Bake at 180 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until caramelised and golden. Serve warm bananas with cream or yoghurt.
5. All natural dipped in melted chocolate – so really, not natural whatsoever.
Melt 150g of good quality dark chocolate (roughly chopped) and 1/2 cup coconut cream in a small saucepan over extremely low heat. Whisk continuously until melted together then remove from heat Immediately. Transfer melted deliciousness to a small bowl and dunkaroo to your heart’s content!
6.In the form of BREAD
Date and banana loaf recipe, here.
7. In the form of my favourite english word EVER: pancakes.
Simply blend 1 large banana, two free range eggs, and 1/4 cup of quick oats until smooth. Cook in a frying pan with a little coconut oil until golden on both sides. Serve with fresh berries, yoghurt and pure maple syrup.
8. In cookies
Banana cookie recipe, here.
9. [insert reader’s suggestion(s) here] – Please comment your favourite way(s) to enjoy nanas below!
10. Last but not least, raw!
Fun fact: In addition to their countless other health benefits, bananas can help overcome depression due to high levels of tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin (the happy-mood brain neurotransmitter).
iaccidentlyatethewholething 