Scrummy breakfast...and that's according to a sugar addict!

I have a friend who is a self confessed sugar addict. He does pay attention to what he eats, but man, there's a whole lot of sugar in there. Breakfast is usually a cup of coffee and maybe a gourmet breakfast roll from the local deli in the car on his way to work. I have given up berating him for eating while standing, dining on pizza and chips, consuming copious amounts of coffee...

For anyone trying to change their diet, starting the day well is always purported as being one of the most important first steps and it is! Usually, people are advised to eat porridge or homemade granola with a boiled egg, or maybe even an omlette. If you're new to eating breakfast, these options might not hold much appeal. I think I may have discovered a combination that works, even for the sweetest tooth. This is porridge like you've never known it. This is porridge from planet delicious. Try it, it will satisfy your sweet tooth, it doesn't taste like grandmother's gruel and with the addition of protein rich quinoa will keep you going for much longer than that breakfast roll, croissant or even a bowl of Special K. The cinnamon helps to balance blood sugar levels and the apple puree adds a lovely sweetness without any sugar neccessary, along with the benefits of pectin, creating a smooth creamy delight. The berries turn the whole concoction a beautiful pinky purple, definitely not grey and stodgy!

Ingredients per person:

• 1/3 cup of jumbo oatflakes
• Small handful of quinoa (I like to use seeds, but you can use flakes for faster cooking)
• 2/3 cup of water
• Small handful of sultanas
• Good pinch of cinnamon
• 2 dsp apple puree or stewed apple
• Handful of berries (fresh or frozen)

Get started:

I suggest you get this started pretty much as soon as you get out of bed. It will take about 20 minutes to cook, which gives enough time for morning ablutions.
First off, put the oatflakes, quinoa, sultanas, cinnamon & water in a saucepan.
Turn the heat on really low (my hob goes from 1-9 so I use 2)
Give it a stir and leave for approx 20 minutes.
Return from beautifying yourself for the day and add the apple puree & berries.
If the berries are frozen, you'll need to wait a few minutes for them to defrost.
Pour the lot into a bowl and enjoy, slowly...give yourself time to enjoy the feeling of virtue it bestows.
If you fancy a little more sweetness, drizzle some agave syrup over the top. Agave is much lower GI than sugar and so won't send you into a sugar rush. This got the double thumbs up from my sugar addict friend, and that's my litmus test for success.