Chia, Quinoa + Tahini: 3 Quick Breakfast Ideas We Love

We love a good breakfast idea. In fact, we often go to sleep dreaming of our first bites of it the following morning. That’s totally normal. Right?

We start nearly every day with something pretty and good for us – it’s basically the Chalkboard creed and we won’t settle for less. Since we’re not exactly the grab a banana and go types, that means we’re always on the hunt for new, healthy breakfast ideas we can make the night before or in a flash early in the A.M. Our gal Heather of Eat Real Food has offered up these three beautiful ideas and we’re ready to try them! There are so many variations of the superfood-packed smoothies, chia puddings, granolas and toasts we love, that there’s hardly time to get bored with breakfast. Try Heather’s versions for something new…

CITRUS CASHEW CHIA PUDDING
Serves 2

Ingredients:

1 cup cashews, soaked overnight
1/2 cup chia seeds
juice of 2 large oranges
zest of 1 orange
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1 Tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp sweetener, honey or maple syrup – optional

Directions:

Soak the chia seeds in a little water until gelatinous and “jelly like” (about 5 minutes). Transfer to a bowl.

Drain the cashews and transfer to a high-speed blender, add the orange and zest and blend well.

Add to the chia mixture and stir in the coconut, coconut oil and sweetener.

Serve with your favorite homemade crunchy granola (this hazelnut, cacao and orange recipe would be perfect!) or fresh fruit.

Optional: Add spices like ginger or cinnamon. Fruit like cranberries or persimmons – or go crazy and add a little fresh basil! Go on, do it!

APPLE, CINNAMON AND VANILLA QUINOA PORRIDGE
Serves 2

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa
2 apples, grated
1 vanilla bean (or a dash of vanilla extract if you can’t find this)
1 cinnamon stick (or 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon)
1 tsp honey – optional
1 cup homemade cashew milk (1 cup cashews to 3 parts water) OR full-fat coconut milk
walnuts or hazelnuts, crushed to serve

Directions:

Throw the quinoa, 1/2 the grated apple, the vanilla, cinnamon, honey, 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup of the milk into a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to make sure the bottom doesn’t burn.

Cover, turn off the heat and let steam for about 10 minutes

When ready, add the remaining 1/2 cup of milk and, over low heat, stir through until thick. Taste test and adjust flavors to suit your taste buds.

Remove the vanilla and cinnamon.

Serve with remaining grated apple, your favorite nuts and perhaps a drizzle of honey or pinch of cinnamon.

Optional: Add some cardamom or ginger for a spicy twist!