In The Kitchen With Kanta : Breakfast fit for a King……..or Queen

 

Before we get started on today’s awesome recipes, I just wanted to say a big thank you to the readers that gave their various Nshima suggestions, on my previous article.  I was quite inspired by them and I will be sure to feature some in my future columns. Whilst we are on the subject of inspiration, one of the suggestions was nshima porridge or mealie meal porridge; admittedly mealie meal porridge is not something that I ever ate as a child; however it is something that I have enjoyed before.  Anyway, one reader mentioned how they never enjoyed nshima porridge when they were younger, so that inspired me to share a recipe with you that might change your mind.  I would imagine that nshima porridge is something that you can eat for breakfast and this inspired me to write about…yes, you guessed it…breakfast.

The weekend is fast approaching and for some of us Saturday will be our first day off of the week.  What better way to enjoy your day off than with a beautiful breakfast served in bed, the birds are singing, sun is beaming, the beautiful smell of bacon and eggs is wafting through the air.  The sensational aroma hits your nose and puts a wide smile on your face….you get where I’m going with this.  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day; and as my aunt would say “Eat Breakfast like a King, Lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper”.  So take a look at some of these fun and delicious ways to make your breakfast more interesting.  Whether you are making this for ‘his or hers’ Birthday, an Anniversary or for Valentine’s Day, this is a great way to show some love to your other half.  These recipes are not only mouth watering and delicious; but they are also healthy and the perfect way to start your day.  Eggs are full of protein and just what you need to build up those muscles; nshima porridge is equally nutritious, and mixing it with peanut butter, honey or fruits takes the nutrition content even higher. So enjoy and try out one or two of these recipes to impress your special someone.

Preparation & cooking time: 30 mins

Serves: 4 people

Ingredients

For the mealie meal porridge

• 1 ½ cups (180g) of mealie meal
• 60ml of cold water
• 470 ml of boiling water
• A pinch of salt
• Peanut butter/ Sugar/ Honey (optional)
• Sliced banana/Berries to top it off (optional)

 

For the French toast

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 eggs
• 59ml milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
• 8 slices white bread or brioche, halved
• 118ml maple syrup or honey, warmed
• Berries and Strawberries or other fresh fruit, chopped or sliced (optional)

For the poached eggs and bacon/ham

• 1 or 2 eggs per person, at room temperature
• 1 tbsp of vinegar (optional)
• Slices of wholemeal bread (1 or 2 per person)
• Butter for spreading (or any other low fat spread that you want)
• 2 rashers (slices) of bacon/ham per person
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

 

Method

First prepare your mealie meal porridge. Boil your water. In a pot mix your mealie meal and cold water together to make a paste; add your boiling water, whilst stirring simultaneously and bring it to the boil.  As soon as it starts to boil, cover the pot and reduce the heat; let it simmer for 15 minutes.  If it is too thick add more water to get the consistency you would like.  After 15 minutes add a pinch of salt and stir. If you are using peanut butter only add it at the end, just before serving, because this will ensure that you get the most nutrition from the nuts. Pour your porridge into a bowl and add sugar or honey to taste, or sliced banana or berries.

Whilst the porridge simmers, prepare everything else as follow;

French toast; in a pan, melt the butter over medium – high heat. In a small bowl, combine, cinnamon, and sugar and set aside.   Whisk together the cinnamon mixture, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract and pour into a shallow container; dip bread into the egg mixture. Fry slices until golden brown on both sides.  Once cooked, place them on paper towel to drain any excess butter.  Pour your warm honey or syrup over them and add your desired fruit.

Eggs and bacon – preheat the oven to 200 ? C and cook the bacon for 6-8 minutes.  Once the bacon has been cooking for about 2 minutes toast your bread and start poaching your eggs.  In a kettle boil enough water to fully submerge your eggs.  Add your water to a pot and turn the stove to high heat to simmer the water.  Add your vinegar and mix with a spoon – the vinegar helps to keep your egg together in the water.  Crack your egg into the water and poach it for about 2 minutes. You can cook more than one egg at a time, and if you want your eggs to be firmer cook them for up to 4 minutes.   Place your toast on a plate, with the bacon on top; remove the eggs from the pot using a spoon, and drain any excess water, place them on top of your bacon and toast. Sprinkle some salt and pepper over them to taste.

Serving

Your breakfast is perfect and ready to be devoured – serve your porridge with sliced banana or berries for extra flavour and decoration.  Tuck into your thick, crunchy French toast, drizzled with warm syrup/honey and sliced fruit.  And to finish off, wolf down your healthy wholemeal toast, layered with crispy bacon and topped with your soft poached eggs; garnish with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.  Don’t forget to wash down this amazing meal with a glass of freshly squeezed orange or sweet mango juice, or a lovely glass of milk.

Enjoy!!

Kanta Temba is a cake maker and decorator. She is also the owner and founder of Kanta Kakes – cake shop.

You can find her work on www.kantakakes.com.  Follow her on twitter @KantaKakes and Instagram @KantaTemba.