Dear Breakfast,
Why did I ever skip you and deem myself unworthy to enjoy you?
You really light up my day.
You make morning workouts more enjoyable.
You challenge me to make you quick, but still delicious.
You sometimes taste like cake. Awesome.
Sometimes you taste like pie. Yes.
You complete me.
Never shall we part again,
Your breakfast fan for life.
Ok, that was a bit weird, but 3 cups of tea before 8am will do that to a girl.
I used to be a chronic breakfast skipper for most of my life and I felt like crap.
After a while, I had to ask myself if I really wanted to live my life this way and I knew the answer, but it took a long time to break the habit.
Now, I can’t imagine my life without a healthy breakfast to start my day. My workouts are stronger, I have more concentration, and I’m a much nicer person to be around. Trust me, you don’t want to be around me when I’m hungry all the time. It ain’t pretty.
If you saw my post several weeks back on Raw Buckwheat Breakfast Porridge you may know that I’ve been stuffing my face with this stuff each morning. I went on a 3 week daily feast and then I ran out of buckwheat groats.
Total mood kill.
But now it’s back and it’s like it was never gone…
Carrot Cake, anyone? I made an extra few for you… :)
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Carrot Cake Raw Buckwheat Porridge (Gluten-free & Raw)
Adapted from my first version & my Carrot Cake Oatmeal
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 2 cups raw Buckwheat Groats, (note: this is not the same as Kasha or toasted buckwheat) soaked in water for minimum of 1 hour or overnight
- 1 cup finely grated carrot (~ 2 medium)
- 1-1.25 cups non-dairy milk (I use vanilla almond milk), or more to achieve desired consistency
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 4-5 tbsp liquid sweetener (use Agave if you want it raw. I used maple syrup), adjust to taste
- 1-2 tsp pure vanilla extract (I used 2)
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup – 1/3 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup – 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
- Shredded coconut, to garnish
Note: I like to make this at night and then it’s ready for me when I come down for breakfast!
1. In a bowl, pour 2 cups of raw buckwheat groats (not Kasha, but RAW groats) and 4-5 cups of water. Soak for at least 1 hour or overnight. After soaking, rinse well in a strainer several times. Grate carrot and set aside.
2. Place buckwheat groats (reserving 1 cup) in food processor or blender, along with the almond milk, chia seeds, and vanilla. Process until combined and slightly smooth. Now add in the sweetener and spices to taste (I found 1/4 cup of sweetener was enough, but others might like a bit more or less than that). Transfer to a bowl and stir in the grated cup of carrots and the reserved buckwheat. Adjust sweetness to taste.
3. Scoop into bowls or parfait glasses and add your desired toppings & mix-ins. Serve immediately cold. Place leftovers into fridge and enjoy for the next few days. Makes 3.5-4 cups depending on how much milk you use.
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For step-by-step photos, see this post.
I process only half of the buckwheat and then I stir in the rest at the end. This results in a nice chewy texture that I love.
I really can’t be left alone with this stuff. It calls out to me from the fridge.
Add a dollop of maple syrup on top if you really want to take it over the edge. Incredible!
and good to the last drop.
I’m feeling in a 2 for 1 kinda mood this week, so here is another fun little snack that I enjoy. And by enjoy, I mean obsess over and eat daily. I’ve been eating this so much, I figured it was silly for me to keep it a secret from you.
Just don’t buy all my Kamut Puffs though. We’re already nearing a shortage in my grocery store! Special thanks to Angela for introducing me to this stuff.
Instant Sugar-Free ‘Carob Puff’ Cereal
Just like Cocoa Puffs, only without the crap.
- 1.5-2 cups Kamut Puff cereal (or other puffed cereal)
- 2-2.5 tbsp carob powder (depending on how much you like it, for me lots is key!), to taste
- Almond Milk
Pour a bowl of your favourite puffed cereal. I’m in love with Nature’s Path Kamut Puff cereal.
Add 2-3 tbsp carob powder on top. I buy it at Bulk Barn. I’ve also seen it called Carob Flour too, in case you see that somewhere.
Stir to combine.
Pour on non-dairy milk (I use Vanilla Almond Milk) and mix well until clumps are gone!
Voila!
A knock-off of Cocoa Puff cereal, without a boatload of sugar and processed ingredients. Carob Power is naturally sweet, but only has 15-20 calories per tablespoon and it’s filled with fibre. Now take note, it’s about as filling as eating puffed air, but it’s awesome for those times when I crave something sweet or chocolaty and don’t want a ton of sugar. PMS, I’m looking at you.
Plus, it’s basically air which means you can eat approximately eighty-five bowls in a day. Ninety-five if you are PMSing.
Yes.
I may need an intervention.
Both look ammmaaazz-ing! I made the buckwheat cereal the first week you wrote about it (I can’t find Buckwheat Groats (i tried bulk barn but no luck-where do you find yours as I think we live somewhat close-me, in Mississauga/Brampton area) so I jused plain buckwheat to great success. One of my fav breakfasts so now I must try this. Thanks again and again and again Angela!
Hey Rhona! I buy it online: http://www.upayanaturals.com/Buckwheat_Groats_Sold_in_various_quantities_Raw_p/nfl-0655.htm
Yay! You and these altered cocoa puffs are awesome. You so do not need an intervention.
Eric would disagree! heh
I am SO trying this tomorrow morning! You rock with your recipe ideas Angela!
Oooooh love the carob puff cereal thing! I just want to drink the milk out of that bowl!
Yummm! I really want to try buckwheat groats. This recipe is on the top of the list! I love breakfast and cannot go without it!
I love it when breakfast looks like dessert! And it has carrots in it. I’m sold.
Angela, I love your blog so much! :-) Both recipes look delicious! Do you think I could do the buckwheat groats recipe with regular oatmeal? Maybe do the overnight oats thing and just add the same toppings? I def want to branch out and try more grains, etc., but I need a spare second to run to the co-op for supplies! :-) THANKS!!
I can’t see why not. I’ve made vegan overnight oats carrot cake before. You might need more liquid if using 2 cups of oats as it will soak up quite a bit. Let me know if you try it out!
You eat like a queen! I wish I had the creative mind that you do before 9am to put together something so pleasing to the eye and palate. My breakfasts just don’t match up…
My secret is that I make it at night before bed…and it’s ready in the AM. :) Fool-proof!
Yes, and leave enough Kamut Puffs for me too! You weren’t kidding when you said you were working on a new flavour – these 2 recipes appeal to me a LOT (and that’s no wonder, because you know I love carrots and kamut puffs!! :) Have a wonderful day, Ange!
It’s a good thing we dont live in the same city…imagine the shortage… ;)
Yum Carrot Cake for breakfast! Sounds fabulous to me! I just love your site and how open you are about discussing your past. You truly are an inspiration! Thank You!
I love your ode to breakfast. Plain and simply breakfast rules and it makes my morning too. Cheers to oats and parfaits! ;)
your carrot cake buckwheat porridge looks UN-believably scrumptious. i’m in awe right now.
Haha! I loved your Breakfast poem, Angela. My parents have always made me eat breakfast but I remember back when I would eat a little packet of super-sweet oatmeal for breakfast and that’s it. Ew. I can’t even think about it without cringing. ;-)
This Carrot Cake Porridge is more like it! I looooove carrot cake!
This might be pushing you into dangerous territory, but you can buy a 12 pack of the Nature’s Path Organic Kamut Puffs Cereal on Amazon…..
http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Path-Organic-Cereal-6-Ounce/dp/B000E4C2PS
Now we’re talking!
I am nearing end of my buckwheat groats too…waaaaah. This looks amaze, I wonder if you can make a cake batter flavor with vanilla protein and sunflower seed butter!
Are you a mind-reader? I was just thinking about cake batter yesterday :) Yummm
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day! I can’t imagine NOT eating breakfast :-)
I loved your original buckwheat porridge recipe and considering carrot cake is my fav dessert I can’t wait to try this one!
omgggg breakfast is seriously my favorite meal of the day… I love the maple syrup dripping down the sides it looks to die for!
Gorgeous photos!
Ahahahah I LOVED the ode to breakfast – and this is certainly one that is worthy of an ode :)
Girl you are the queen of fancy breakfast and I think I love you more for today’s breakfast delight :) This looks FAB!! Thank you again for another wonderful recipe!! Keep inspiring dollface!
xxoo
I can’t believe I used to skip breakfast either! Now I look forward to it every morning… I just love the quietness and peace of a morning and sitting down with a delicious and healthy meal is such a pleasure!
Your buckwheat groats sound so good! I need to find raw buckwheat groats though… I may just try making an oat version until I can track those down!
I can’t imagine skipping breakfast! But I used to do the same thing. I would eat just sugar free jello and then go work out. I didn’t feel well at all. UGH!
I second what Kris said… only I’d add: “You are the queen of fancy” [but still super fast!] “breakfast”! I’ve never been a carrot cake fan, although I l-o-v-e carrots… But if it’s a recipe by you, it’s definitely worth a try. Everything else has turned out delicious… And besides, I’ve loved buckwheat since discovering it a year ago, and the buckwheat porridge idea is genius!
How funny that you like Kamut Puffs too! I’ve been using them to replace rice puffs in recipes that call for them. :D I think they either have a little more protein or a little bit more fibre than rice puffs?! Can’t remember. I wish there were a way to puff Kamut groats or millet at home!
I have been drooling over this since you posted the picture on FB yesterday!!
The texture of the buckwheat porridge totally looks pudding like…which begs for a chocolaty, cocoa, almond version. I know what I’m eating tomorrow morning!
You’re breakfasts are always so pretty!
I just read your breakfast post, and I totally used to do the same thing with half a packet of oatmeal!
I am freaking out. Gorgeous!
Breakfast is my most absolutely fave meal of the day….always have looked forward to it :-)
Just love your pictures and will be making this buckwheat breakfast soon!
You had me drooling with the first Buckwheat porridge photo and then you went and threw cocoa puffs into the mix . . . Work needs to be over like now :)
haha those 2 for 1’s get ya eh?
Angela, you should open a restaurant. I would move to Canada so that I can pay for you to plate your beautiful food! i need to get my hands on some carob powder…
You are too kind!
I could totally go for 95 bowls of Carob Puff Cereal right now. :)
You need your own cooking show, this stuff is amazing!
I’m so glad you showcased kamut puffs! I actually bought some on a whim the other day! I can’t eat it yet since I’m on a gluten-free/soy-free/dairy-free/corn-free elimination diet, but I plan to make it part of my “light gluten” introduction day!
I am so angry that I used the last of the almond milk yesterday! I want the carob puffs NOW! I’ve got my almonds soaking as we speak for my first attempt at homemade almond milk though. So excited!
Wow, this page with those beautiful photos made me very hungry!
I have bought the kamut puff cereal, but never thought to add carob powder. Good idea, as the cereal is a little bland on it’s own.
I totally had not read your post before posting mine. I have a 2 for 1 breakfast this morning too! :D
Um…I want breakfast at your house. lol That looks absolutely amazing!!
Come on over!
Amazingly I HAVE kamut puff cereal in my cabinet right now! I thought about making a similar version (with dark cocoa powder instead of carob) last night for “dessert” but made some beet cookies instead..
That buckwheat porridge looks fab, too!
I love your carrot cake oatmeal so I bet this is yum!
http://somethingtochewover.blog.com/carrot-cake-porridge/
OMG this carob puff cereal is genius! I am totally making that for brekkie! Gonna use millet puffs instead and see how that works. I need to re-up on buckwheat groats so I can try your other recipe too. It looks ridonc. Thanks Ange!
I’m glad Live Writer finally let you post this beauty :)
Woot woot! I’ve recently found raw buckwheat groats at Ambrosia just north of Toronto (where I also used to buy your Glo Bars!!), so I’m psyyyyched to try this fantasmagorical (real word) breakfast delight! PLUS, I have a bag of puffed-something (rice? millet? kamut??) in my cupboard that I just don’t care for plain and some (Bulk Barn :D) carob, so I’ll be thefting both your recipes this time around :D
I love reading about your changes in food philosophy following your battle with an ED. It’s really inspiring for those of us still fighting the battle :)
izzyy
Good to know they sell it too!!
See this is why I love you, you make it ok to have chocolate (well carob but it tastes and looks like chocolate to me) for breakfast. I used to skip breakfast and wonder why I wasn’t very productive in the mornings. Ever since I started having breakfast, I’ve found that I am in fact a morning person, I just need fuel to get started. Funny that!
I also discovered that Im a morning person since re-introducing breakfast :) Funny how that works, eh?
WOW Angela! Both meals look INCREDIBLE! You just sparked* up my taste buds! Can’t wait to try them BOTH out!!! XOXOX Awesome photos as well ;) Thank you for sharing! XX
Please let the next hour go by quickly as I wait for my buckwheat to soak.
:)
Veggies for breakast in a delicious way! I love breakast too… It’s no fun seeing me hungry either ;)
I’m such a breakfast person, too! It’s my absolute *favorite* meal – and those look super, super yummy!
Also, I just discovered kamut ( http://livinglearningeating.wordpress.com/2011/08/08/flaky-fantastic/ ) but in tasty flake form. Could the puffs possibly be as tasty…?
I could never skip breakfast. It’s not only my favorite meal of the day, but I am HUNGRY in the morning. I also can’t fathom working out without eating first. How does one have the energy? But everyone’s different, so I guess it works for some people. But I much prefer your amazing breakfasts to anything else :)