Rise & Shine

Struggle to do life in the mornings? Or do you think brunch is the best part of the weekend? From breakfast in bed to breakfast on the run, here are four ways of dishing it up—no matter how you’re feeling!

Croissants + Coffee in Bed

Ingredients

1 freshly-baked croissant, preferably still warm

A few slices of very good quality salted butter at room temperature

A few tablespoons of strawberry jam1 espresso coffee or pot of tea

Method

On a serving tray or wooden board, plate up the croissant and pop the jam and butter in small serving dishes. If you have an espresso machine at home, brew your coffee of choice. If not, put the kettle on and pour your favourite pot of tea. Hop back in bed with a good book and enjoy.

Serves 1

Roasted Chocolate, Almond + Hazelnut Muesli

Ingredients

½ cup warm water

½ cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

¼ cup good quality maple syrup

100 grams good quality dark chocolate, chopped

1 cup puffed rice

5 cups rolled oats

½ cup whole almonds

½ cup hazelnuts

¾ cup coconut flakes

2 tablespoons dark cocoa

⅓ cup malt powder

Method

Turn the oven to 170 degrees. In a small saucepan, heat the water and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Bring to the boil and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and add the chocolate, oil and maple syrup and stir until the chocolate has dissolved.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, coconut, puffed rice, cocoa, malt powder, almonds and hazelnuts. Stir to combine. Pour over the chocolate mixture and mix well. Try not to lick the spoon as you go!

Divide the mixture over two baking trays lined with baking paper. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the edges from over cooking. Remove from the oven and cool completely on the trays.

To serve, divide the muesli amongst bowls and top with ice-cold milk and slices of banana and strawberries.

Recipe adapted from Donna Hay Magazine

Makes 8 Cups

Banana Oat Smoothie

Ingredients

¼ cup rolled oats

1 banana

1 teaspoon honey

½ cup ice

½ cup plain low-fat yogurt

½ cup milk of choice

¼ teaspoon cinnamon and a little extra for dusting

Method

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until everything is mixed well— about 45 seconds should do the trick.

Add some extra ice to a glass jar and pour the smoothie over the ice.

Sprinkle a little extra cinnamon over the top, complete with a paper straw and you are good to go!

Toasted Bagels with Cream Cheese, Avocado + Egg

Ingredients

2 sesame seed bagels, local is best

1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped

2 tablespoons spreadable cream cheese

1 medium ripe avocado, sliced

2 eggs

Salt and pepper to taste

Method

In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese and dill until smooth. Add a dash of pepper.

Heat a frypan over medium heat and fry the eggs. Sunny side up, of course!

Lightly toast the bagels and spread the bottom halves with the cream cheese mixture. Top with the avocado slices and finish with the fried eggs. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and top with a few sprigs of extra dill. •