breaking the fast

I don't know about you but I'm a bit of a creature of habit in the breakfast department. Funnily enough this is not the case when I travel but when we're at home there's about three basic breakfast options on constant rotation in our kitchen: porridge, weetbix or vegemite toast. Occasionally a bit of marmalade or a piece of fruit sneaks in there but otherwise it's pretty much the standard fare. Lack of time is usually the excuse but since starting my new job I actually have more time in the morning.

So I've decided, especially during these winter months when mornings can be a dark, bleary and unappreciated time, I'm going to start jazzing up breakfast, introduce some different options: an egg or two, a fruit loaf, some hot bread rolls, even perhaps a scone or a frittata. I'm going to make the joy of breakfast signal the start of an adventurous day.

First up the challenging Monday breakfast. Here goes...

Banana, Honey and Seed Loaf
Adapted from here and here.

1 Tbs toasted sesame seeds
1 Tbs poppy seeds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup pepitas
1/2 cup extra-light olive oil
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
2 eggs, beaten lightly
1/2 cup mashed banana
1/2 cup buttermillk, or an equal combination of yoghurt and milk
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup sultanas
1 1/4 cup self raising flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp mixed spice

Preheat the oven to 160 degrees C fan forced. Grease and line the base and sides of a loaf tin.

Combine the seeds and spices in a small bowl and then place the oil, sugar, honey, eggs, banana, buttermilk, oats, raisins, sifted flour and 2/3 seed mixture in a large bowl and stir until just combined. The mixture should be fairly runny and lumpy. Pour mixture into the prepared pan and sprinkle the remaining seeds on top.

Bake for about 1 hour or until a skewer comes out clean. Turn the loaf onto a wire rack and brush the top with some extra warmed honey if you like.

I made this on Sunday, which was a wonderful way to warm up whilst I had the sniffles. This morning it was just a matter of slicing a nice wedge, toasting it under the grill, then buttering and consuming, whilst reading my book and enjoying a steaming hot cup of tea. A great way to kick off the working week. Stay tuned for more adventures in the land of breakfast.

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