Breakfast ideas for the whānau

We’ve all heard it before, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It sets you and your family up with all the nutrients you need for a motivated start to your day. To help make those early mornings a breeze, we’ve put together three quick and easy breakfast ideas for you and your whānau.

Sua Fa’i/Banana Sago Pudding

This delicious breakfast takes between 15-30 minutes to prepare. 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 5 ripe bananas
• 2 cups of cold water
• 3 tablespoons sago
• 1/3 cup of coconut cream
• Lemon or lime juice (optional)

Method:

1. Peel and mash the bananas using a fork, leaving some lumpy bits.
2. Add enough cold water to cover the bananas.
3. Add sago and stir through.
4. Place banana mixture in a medium pot and bring to a boil over medium heat.
5. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes stirring occasionally until sago goes transparent.
6. Stir in coconut cream just before serving.
7. Serve warm with a squeeze of lime or lemon juice.

Tips:

• For a runnier pudding, add a little more water.
• To serve cold, pour into individual bowls and refrigerate. This way you can prepare it the night before to take some stress off your morning routine.

Otai/Watermelon Smoothie

The fastest and freshest breakfast, prepped and ready in less than 15 minutes.

10 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 watermelon
• 1 mango (or ½ cup of frozen mango)
• 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple (or frozen pineapple)
• ½ cup coconut cream
• 2 cups cold water

Method

1. Cut the watermelon in half. Using a spoon, scrape the watermelon flesh into a large bowl. Throwaway the rind and use a spoon to remove the seeds.
2. Finely chop or grate the mango and add to the watermelon.
3. Add the pineapple, coconut cream and water, and blend for around 30 seconds.
4. Serve over ice cubes in a tall glass and garnish with mint leaves.

Tips

• Watermelon should be firm and heavy, and it should sound hollow when tapped.
• If you don’t have fresh or frozen pineapple, use canned pineapple in juice.

Homemade Muesli

This delicious homemade muesli recipe only takes 15-30 minutes to prepare. 25 servings

Ingredients:

• 4 cups rolled oats (jumbo or porridge)
• 4 cups puffed wheat, rice, millet or cornflakes
• 1 cup desiccated coconut
• 2 cups chopped nuts and/or seeds
• 1 ½ cups chopped dried fruit

Method:

Mix all the ingredients together and keep in a sealed container for up to 3 months.

Tips:

• Use any combination of nuts, seeds or dried fruit.
• Likewise, if you have other grains or ingredients you like in muesli, add them too.
• If you prefer toasted muesli, toast the oats in the oven at 180°C for about 20 minutes or until golden brown, then add all the other ingredients when they have cooled.

Interested in finding out more about the Healthy Babies, Healthy Futures programme?

If you are:

• of Pacific descent
• pregnant or the main caregiver of a child under 4 years old
• and live in the Waitemata District, West Auckland or North Shore

you could be eligible to join the free Healthy Babies, Healthy Futures Programme.