Bananas are one of those fruits that almost always find a place in an Indian kitchen. They’re easy to consume, don’t need much preparation and work well in plenty of breakfast recipes. If you’ve grown up in South India, you might already be familiar with poovan bananas. They’re smaller than the regular yellow ones and have a mellow sweetness with a slight tang. You can eat them as they are, of course, but they’re also great for making porridge, pancakes and a few other breakfast favourites. Here are some ideas you can try at home.
A Warm Bowl of Banana Porridge
On mornings when you want something warm and filling, banana porridge is a good option. Take half a cup of rolled oats and cook them in one and a half cups of milk. Keep stirring until the oats soften. Meanwhile, mash two ripe bananas with a fork and add them to the porridge once it’s nearly done. Sprinkle in a little cardamom and, if you prefer it sweeter, add a teaspoon of jaggery. Let it cook for another couple of minutes. Before eating, throw in some chopped almonds and a few banana slices. The mashed fruit gives the oats plenty of sweetness, so you might not even need the jaggery.
Fluffy Banana Pancakes for Slow Weekends
Pancakes are always a nice change from the usual breakfast, especially when you’ve got a little extra time on a Sunday. Mash two bananas in a bowl, then mix in an egg, some milk and a teaspoon of vanilla. Add one cup of wholewheat flour and a teaspoon of baking powder. Stir everything together; don’t worry if the batter has a few lumps. Heat a lightly greased pan and pour small portions of the batter onto it. Once you see bubbles forming, flip the pancakes and cook the other side. You can serve them with honey, yoghurt or whatever nuts and berries you have at home.
Smoothies and Toast for Busy Mornings
Not every morning leaves you enough time to stand by the stove. On those days, a banana smoothie takes very little effort. Blend one ripe banana with a cup of cold milk or curd, some oats, a few soaked dates and ice. If you’d rather eat something, banana toast is just as easy. Toast a couple of slices of brown bread or sourdough, spread some peanut butter and arrange sliced bananas on top. A pinch of cinnamon or a few chia seeds adds a little extra flavour. You can pack the toast for later or pour the smoothie into a bottle if you’re heading out.
Stocking Your Kitchen Without the Market Run
Having a few basic ingredients at home makes breakfast preparation much easier. Bananas, oats, eggs, milk and nuts are useful for several recipes, so you don’t need to buy something different every morning. An online grocery app can help you put these items together in one order, especially when you’re planning meals for the week. You can also browse different pack sizes and check what else you need for your kitchen.
Start Your Morning the Delicious Way
You don’t have to make an elaborate breakfast every day. Some mornings call for a warm bowl of oats, while others are better suited to toast or a smoothie. Ripe bananas can work in all of them. Keep a few at home, try different toppings and see which combinations you enjoy most. Even a small change to your usual breakfast can make mornings a little more interesting.
