Food Friday: Bircher Muesli

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I don't know about you, but I sometimes get sick of the same rotation of foods for breakfast. I also do not like to have too many smoothies in the colder months, so coming across this new recipe from sisters Hemsley and Hemsley was a delicious change. Their cookbook, The Art of Eating Well, would make a great christmas gift to anyone looking for real, unprocessed and nourishing recipes. 

This is a surprisingly easy recipe, with an added bonus of being gluten free. Buckwheat, despite its misleading name, is not a wheat. It is sold either raw or roasted, the latter known as "kasha." It is a very nutrient dense food, rich in magnesium and flavonoids, and can be used for such things as buckwheat porridge, pancakes and bread. You can find organic buckwheat groats at bulk barn, or Pete's. The instant blueberry jam, really is made in an instant, but needs to set for an hour at least, and resembles blackberry jam. It can be used to top the muesli, mixed with yogurt or smeared over toast. It lasts about a week in the fridge. 

Buckwheat Groat Bircher Muesli

(Serves 2)

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup buckwheat groats (soaked overnight)
  • 2-3 tbsp seeds (try pumpkin or sunflower seeds)
  • 1/2 cup full-fat natural yogurt
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, plus extra to serve
  • 1 tsp raw honey
  • 1 large apple, grated with skin on (honeycrisp are great now)
  • handful of toasted shredded coconut, to serve

Recipe:

  1. In the morning, place the drained and rinsed groats in a bowl. Mix in the rest of the ingredients. 
  2. Sprinkle over the extra cinnamon, toasted shredded coconut, and/or your favourite berries, or jam, to serve. 

Instant Blueberry Chia Jam

Ingredients:

  • Just under a cup of fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 2 1/2 tbsp chia seeds (I get a big bag from Costco)
  • 1-2 1/2 tsp raw honey (depending on your sweet tooth)
  • Optional - 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract and a squeeze of lemon juice

Recipe:

  1. Mash the blueberries or blend them in a food processor (I just use a fork).
  2. Mix in the chia seeds, 1 tbsp warm water and 1 tsp of the honey. Stir well to stop clumps forming or make it straight in the jar and shake to mix. 
  3. Keep the chia jam sealed in a jar in the fridge to set for a least an hour or until needed.
  4. Taste and stir in a little more honey, if needed. 

Enjoy!

In health & happiness,

Dr. Karen