The Whole Bowl

SAVORY OATMEAL BREAKFAST BOWL

Most people top their oatmeal with fruit and spices, maybe granola and yogurt, or just good old cinnamon and butter. But have you ever tried oatmeal as a savory dish? It’s just as delicious served savory and it pairs beautifully with veggies, cheese, meat, poultry, and eggs. In addition to this lovely savory oatmeal bowl recipe, I often serve savory oatmeal with wilted spinach and feta, ham and cheese, maple sausages and eggs, and steamed broccoli with cheese. Just a few more examples of the versatility of savory oatmeal.

Makes 1 bowl

• 1 cup prepared unsweetened oatmeal, warm (I like using steel-cut oats, but quick oats work just as well)
• 2 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
• ¼ cup fresh spinach leaves
• 1 to 2 tablespoons diced tomatoes
• ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped chives
• 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, or flax seeds
• 1 poached or fried egg

Place the warm oatmeal in a bowl and top with crumbled bacon, fresh spinach leaves, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar, chopped chives, and seeds.

Top with a poached or fried egg and serve.

ACAI SMOOTHIE BOWL WITH BLUEBERRIES, GRANOLA, HEMP SEEDS, AND STAR FRUIT

Smoothies rule in my house, and a new trend that hit my kitchen recently is smoothie bowls. Putting a smoothie in a bowl allows for more toppings and creativity along with making the meal (or snack) a bit heartier and more satisfying. This acai smoothie bowl is a bit thicker in texture than a regular smoothie and it’s filled with fresh flavors; it’s a refreshing and delicious way to begin the day. Additional (yet optional) ingredients I often include on top of my smoothie bowl are sunflower seeds, flax seeds, fresh bananas, fresh raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, fresh mango, papaya, pineapple, diced pears, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut.

There are many ways to top an oatmeal, ancient-grain, or smoothie breakfast bowl. Try adding some of the following fresh and delicious ingredients to the top of your next breakfast bowl. There are endless tasty options, but here are just a few to get you started.

Makes 1 bowl

• 1 to 1½ cups frozen assorted berries (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries)
• 1 frozen banana, peeled (I slightly thaw my banana so I can easily peel it)
• 1½ tablespoons acai powder (found in most markets)
• 1 cup almond or coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons raw honey to taste
• ½ cup dairy-free yogurt (optional)
• ¼ cup granola
• ¼ cup fresh blueberries
• 2 tablespoons hemp seeds
• 1 star fruit, sliced (pineapple would also be delicious)

In a Vitamix or smoothie blender, add the frozen berries, frozen banana, acai powder, coconut milk, and raw honey. Add the yogurt if using. Place the lid on top of the blender and pulse until ingredients are nicely pureed into a smoothie. If the smoothie is too thick, add a little more milk. If the smoothie is too thin, add some more frozen berries.

Place the smoothie in a bowl and top with granola, fresh blueberries, hemp seeds, star fruit, and any other optional toppings. Serve immediately.