Breakfast is undoubtedly the most important meal of the day. Give us a choice, and we would love to be fumbling around the kitchen, whipping up the most fluffy and delicious scrambled eggs whilst preparing a nice warm cuppa. Sadly, we often succumb to the temptation of snoozing in bed instead—only to have just enough time to wash up and rush out of the house.

We all love the sight of a scrumptious feast in the morning—all laid out on the dining table waiting for us to dig in.  However, we are often caught with a time constraint which limits our options when it comes to breakfast.

If you have always wanted to prepare a wholesome breakfast that does not take much time to prepare, here are 7 Easy Breakfast Recipes To Try At Home. Now, you can indulge in both extra sleep and a hearty breakfast at the same time.

#1 BANANA PANCAKES

When one thinks of banana pancakes, they would often attribute it to a messy kitchen with tons of ingredients strewn over the kitchen counter. If you were envisioning that, we are here to prove you wrong. This easy two-ingredient banana pancakes will be the easiest recipe you will ever encounter, and yes, they taste amazing too!

Ingredients
1 sliced banana
2 eggs
1 tablespoon of self-raising flour (optional)
Honey/maple syrup

Instructions:
Mash the sliced bananas with eggs until they amalgamate to a starchy texture. Add in a dash of self-raising flour for the pancakes to become fluffier. Oil the pan and add the batter in while keeping it at low heat. Garnish it with sliced bananas and maple syrup before serving.

#2 CEREAL MARSHMALLOW EGGS

These Cereal Marshmallow Eggs will be the perfect morning treat for your little ones. Best part? You can even adorn it with craft paper and add a pretty ribbon to make these babies look extra fanciful. Or how about surprising your loved ones in the morning with this wonderful creation that will bring a smile to their faces? You can thank us later!

Ingredients:
A bowl of cornflakes
5 or 6 marshmallows

Instructions:
Pop the bowl of cereal and marshmallows into the microwave oven for around 1 minute. Mix the melted marshmallows with cornflakes and knead it into your desired shape. Add in craft paper and ribbon for the final touches!

#3 EGG AND CHEESE SANDWICH

We all love a good old egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast. All you have to do is fry up a sexy sunny-side up (or any form of eggs will do, really), slap on a slice of cheese between the bread slices and, voila! It is simple and bound to hit all the right spots when you sink your teeth into the running yolk coupled with a creamy slice of cheese—we know you want it now.

Ingredients:
2 slices of bread
1 egg
1 slice of cheese

Instructions:
Gently slide the sunny-side up into the frying pan and sprinkle some pepper on the egg. Once the egg yolk is almost set, scoop it up and sandwich both the cheese and sunny-side up between two slices of bread. This is so simple that you can just run to the kitchen and whip up a plate now.

#4 FRUIT KEBABS

Fruit Kebabs are not only easy to consume but are also healthy at the same time; start your day with the right amount of nutrients that your body requires. These kebabs are easy to prepare, best done the night before. For those who often face the problem of oversleeping, you would be heartened to know that it makes a great grab and go breakfast too!

Ingredients:
An assortment of fruits
Disposable satay sticks

Instructions:
Choose your favourite fruits and chop them up into little cubes. After which, string them together on a disposable satay stick—the brighter the better to give your mornings a little sparkle!

#5 MICROWAVABLE OATMEAL MUFFINS

If you think that this will be the most tricky dish, we assure you that it is not. Ironically, it is possibly the easiest recipe out of the entire lot! Oatmeal is one of the power food items around, linked to countless of health benefits that make you appreciate and love them more. Serve it with fruits, or eat it straight out of a cup.

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons of oatmeal
1 egg
Any fruit of your choice
1 teaspoon of sugar
A dash of self-raising flour (optional)

Instructions:
First, add in 3 tablespoons of oatmeal into a coffee cup and beat the egg in after. Throw in your preferred choice of fruits (we feel that blueberries or bananas work best with this recipe) before garnishing it with a sweetener of your choice and a dash of self-raising flour. Mix well before popping it into the microwave oven for 2 minutes. Slide it out of the cup and garnish it with your favourite fruits before serving.

#6 NUTELLA COATED BANANAS

Who does not love Nutella? Coupled with bananas, this is one of the most popular food pairings in the world. For parents who are looking at something to get your little ones scrambling out of bed, this would be your answer!

Ingredients:
3 sliced bananas
Nutella spread
Finely chopped almonds

Instructions:
Slice up 3 bananas and slather them with as much Nutella as you wish. After which, sprinkle the finely chopped almonds on the bananas for a wholesome finish. For those who prefer something crunchy, granolas are a great choice too!

#7 YOGURT POPSICLES

Another quick breakfast item which you can freeze the night before and take them out of the freezer before you leave home. As yogurt has softer consistencies, it is better to leave them overnight in the freezer to ensure that they harden the next morning. This dairy product is known to aid in digestion and boost the immune system too.

Ingredients:
Yogurt in cups
Popsicle sticks

Instructions:
Stick the popsicle sticks into the yogurt cups and let them freeze overnight before taking them out in the morning. Yes, it really is that simple!

Carbs often get a negative reputation, especially by the weight conscious due to the notion that overstuffing on carbs often lead to an unwanted belly. True as it may be, consuming the right types of carbs can actually reverse the effect and help you lose weight as well as maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The bad ones, better known as refined carbohydrates, are most commonly found in white bread, white rice, sugary cereals and in many of our favourite local hawker dishes. Besides being bad for your weight, consuming too much of these adulterated ingredients can also raise your risk of heart disease and diabetes.

The good news is that working the ‘right’ carbs into your diet can help prevent these health problems. They come in more natural forms such as whole grain wheat bread, fruits and vegetables. And with many healthier options readily available to us, you can even find healthier, wholegrain substitutes for cookies, wraps, and even pasta.

Sure, it ain’t easy; but baby steps. We substitute our carbs slowly but surely. Here are 4 easy recipes that incorporate wholegrain carbs into our everyday home-cooked dishes. We’ve tried them and hey, they actually taste pretty good!

LAKSA FRIED RICE

Fried rice is one of those stay-home dishes that literally anyone can whip up. Just grab whatever leftovers you have in your fridge, some cooked overnight rice and fry it all together. Our laksa fried rice that substitutes regular white rice with brown rice offers both a lip-smacking kick with a myriad of fresh and flavourful ingredients—minus the guilt.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cold brown rice
• 300g fresh prawns
• 1 piece fish cake, sliced
• 100g bean sprouts
• ½ cucumber, grated
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 bunch laksa leaves, chopped
• 2 tsp canola oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 50ml low-fat coconut milk
• 2 tsp dried prawns, washed and pat dried
• 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised
• 2 tbsp laksa paste
• Pepper to taste
• Green onions, thinly sliced

Method:

1. Heat canola oil in a wok. Lightly sauté onions until transparent.
2. Add dried prawns and fry for 2 – 3 minutes.
3. Add laksa paste, lemongrass and ½ of the laksa leaves, fry till fragrant.
4. Add low-fat coconut milk, mix well. Then add bean sprouts, cucumber, fishcake, and stir-fry with the paste.
5. When well incorporated, add prawns, the rest of the laksa leaves, and brown rice. Fry for about 3 minutes or until prawn is just cooked.
6. Pour in beaten egg and mix into rice. Cook until rice dries out.
7. Add pepper to taste.
8. Garnish with green onions.

CHICKEN WHOLEMEAL WRAPS WITH SALSA

Whether you are looking for a quick snack in between meal or simply a healthy lunch to take to work, our chicken wholemeal wraps with salsa will do just the trick!

Nothing beats a hearty grilled chicken and a zesty salsa to brighten it up. And wholemeal wrap has this earthy taste, making it so much nicer than regular wraps!

Ingredients:

• Wholemeal wraps, 1 packet (8 pieces)
• Chicken breasts (skinless, deboned), 2 medium
• Eggs, 2 medium
• Lettuce, ½ head
• Red pepper (cored and sliced), 1 medium
• Tomato (sliced), 2 medium
• Carrots (cut into thin strips), 1 medium
• Cucumber (cut into thin strips), 1 medium
• Olive oil, 1 teaspoon
• Pepper, a dash
• Salt, a pinch

Salsa

• Tomato, cubed, 1 cup
• Red chilli, seeds removed, 1 medium
• Lemon juice, 2 tablespoons
• Coriander, chopped finely, ½ cup
• Marinade for chicken
• Sesame oil, 1 teaspoon
• Ginger juice, 2 tablespoons
• Soy sauce, 1 teaspoon
• Pepper, a dash

Method:

1. In a bowl, mix the chicken breasts with the marinade. Leave aside in the fridge for an hour.
2. In a container, mix together all the ingredients for the salsa. Cover the lid and leave aside in the fridge.
3. In another bowl, whisk the eggs together with a dash of pepper and a pinch of salt. Heat a non-stick pan with half a teaspoon of oil, and fry the omelette until golden brown. Let it cool and then slice thinly. Set aside.
4. Using the same non-stick pan, heat up the rest of the oil. Add the chicken breasts and cook over a low fire until cooked. Let it cool and then slice thinly. Set aside.
5. Warm up the wholemeal wraps one at a time in a microwave oven or grill, over low heat until warm.
6. Place one wrap on a large round plate. Spread out the sliced vegetables, sliced chicken and omelette, followed by a tablespoon of avocado mango salsa. Roll the wrap tightly from one end to the other, and tuck in one side. Repeat for the rest of the wraps. Serve immediately.

FRIED BEE HOON CHICKEN BOLOGNESE

East meets West in this oddly satisfying dish that comprises Asian-style fried bee hoon and an Italian-inspired chicken bolognese ladled over top. Believe us when we say, the combination works!

The cherry on top? It doesn’t cost much to prepare this dish!

Ingredients:

• 1pkt brown rice bee hoon
• 600g minced chicken
• 100g celery – chopped
• 100g carrot – chopped
• 100g onion – chopped
• 20g garlic
• 30ml olive oil
• 2tbsp HCS soya sauce
• 300g HCS tomato sauce
• 1litre chicken stock
• Cornstarch
• Salt, sugar and pepper to taste

Method:

1. Soak brown rice bee hoon till soft, drain and cut.
2. Heat pan with oil and fry bee hoon with soya sauce. Transfer to a serving plate.
3. Heat oil and fry garlic with minced chicken till dry.
4. Put in other chopped vegetables.
5. Add tomato sauce.
6. Pour in the chicken stock and bring to boil.
7. Simmer for 20mins and season to taste.
8. Thicken sauce with cornstarch.
9. Pour bolognese sauce over bee hoon.

MEE REBUS

A popular Malay breakfast item, mee rebus is something that we absolutely love to begin our mornings with. The only downside to it is that eating it too often is incredibly unhealthy.

With our healthier rendition that does not skimp on flavour, you can enjoy mee rebus as often as you like.

Ingredients:

• 150g onion, large, red
• 40g garlic
• 30g ginger
• 1.5cm lengkuas (galangal/blue ginger)
• 1.5cm Kunyit hidup (or ½ tsp turmeric powder)
• 20g dried chilli, pre-soaked
• 2 stalks lemongrass
• 40g dried shrimp
• 2-3 tbsp water (Grind all the above ingredients together)
• 3 tbsp briyani powder (or curry powder)
• 100g tau cheo (preserved soya bean paste), ground
• 2 tbsp peanuts, pounded
• 2-3 tbsp plain flour / sweet potato flour
• 1.2L water (Mix well)
• 3 tbsp healthier choice oil
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 2g salt
• 600g wholegrain yellow noodles
• 300g bean sprouts
• 3 eggs, hard-boiled

Garnishes

• 2 stalks Chinese celery leaf
• 2 stalks spring onion, diced
• 5 pieces green chilli, diced
• 6 limes, cut into half
• 3 cubes tau pok, cut into half
• 3 tsp fried onion (optional)

Method

1. Heat oil with medium fire in a wok. Add and stir-fry the grounded ingredients (1) till fragrant. Add in ingredients (2), and continue frying. Lastly, add in ingredients (3) to make gravy. Bring to boil.
2. Stir in the sugar and bring to boil. Taste and add salt if necessary.
3. Blanch yellow wholegrain noodles and bean sprouts in boiling water. Drain well.
4. Put noodles and bean sprouts in serving bowls.
5. Pour gravy on top of noodles, add garnishes, and serve hot.

This post is brought to you by Health Promotion Board.