Instant oatmeal provides a quick, fiber-rich breakfast that's easy to eat on the train on the way to work, or at your desk. It's easy to up the antioxidant power of your porridge by stirring in chia seeds, ground flaxseed, wheat germ, fresh or dried fruits and nuts.
But, if the same old instant oatmeal leaves you uninspired, don't skip breakfast and certainly don't head for the drive through—make one of the following oatmeal-replacement breakfast ideas below when you have a little more time over the weekend. Each of the following recipes provides a similar heart-healthy boost of whole grains that a bowl of oatmeal does, as well as some of the flavors found in the standard instant oatmeal variety pack, such as maple syrup, cinnamon, apples and berries.
More: No-Sweat Recipes for Athletes: Oatmeal 3 Ways
Farro Berry Bowl Recipe
Ingredients
3 cups cooked farro
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
2 cups frozen or fresh mixed berries of your choice (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
juice and zest of 1 small orange
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1 cinnamon stick or 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons maple syrup
1 cup chopped toasted walnuts
1 cup homemade yogurt
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, bring mixed berries, vanilla, juice and zest of an orange, ginger, cinnamon stick or ground cinnamon and 3 tablespoons maple syrup to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until berries start to split open and a slightly thickened sauce is created.
More: What Is Farro and How to Cook It
Remove from heat and scatter in the cooked farro and flaxseed. Stir to combine. Portion farro berry mix into four bowls.
In a small bowl, mix yogurt with three tablespoons maple syrup. Dollop a generous spoonful of yogurt on top of each farro bowl, and serve with extra yogurt.
