The Gleaner Food November 2021

THE GLEANER, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2021 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | FOOD E3 G ROWING UP, we all heard the saying that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day!”Yup, the mantra of moms, grandmas, and parents worldwide, right? There are countless reasons to support their chanting and immeasurable benefits from eating a wholesome, balanced meal first thing in the morning. When we ‘break the fast’ first thing in the morning, we replenish our body’s supply of glucose to boost energy levels and alertness. As adults, we get complacent and just grab a cup of coffee sometimes. But if you have kids, that just isn’t going to cut it, so trying to add new breakfast recipes into your regular routine really helps in keeping your little ones healthy yet excited in that first meal of the day! So, when you’re looking for that special all- round product(s) to balance healthy and yummy, you must choose products from t he B l ue Diamond range of goodies to create an array of easy morning meals that are nutritious and delicious. The diverse line of Blue Diamond® products makes it effortless to incorporate all the healthy fats, fibre, and protein almonds have to offer, mixed with the great taste of calcium-rich almondmilk. Whether you need to whip up a batch of our banana pancake bites to start your day with the complex carbohydrates you need to stay energised, or a tasty cereal bowl packed with crunchy bites, fruit pieces and tasty cold almond vanilla milk, the varied assortment of products will provide a playful and yummy take on a few breakfast classics. As parents and guardians of the well-being of the future builders and thinkers in our generation, it is our duty to jump-start their day with a hearty breakfast that tastes great and delivers the nutrition they need to feel their best. Not to be left out, moms often dive into the delicious meals they prepare for their kids; or, if you’re on the go, youmay settle for a quick fruit and almond milk-blended smoothie to keep you filled, but that’s fantastic! Thanks to Blue Diamond Almond Breeze products, like Almond Breeze Original, Vanilla- or Chocolate-flavoured Almond Milk, or the Whole Natural or Toasted Coconut Almonds, your breakfast will be the well-balanced meal your body deserves! BLUE DIAMOND ALMOND BANANA PANCAKE BITES Easy • Yields 6 servings • Total time: 25 minutes • 3-5 bananas • 3 large eggs • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract • 2 tablespoons honey • 1 cup Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Original Milk • 1 1/2 cups almond flour • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon • Optional: maple syrup DIRECTIONS 1. Cut bananas into ½-inch-thick coins. 2. Whisk together flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon in a medium bowl. 3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, vanilla, honey and ½ cup Almond Breeze Milk. 4. Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until well combined. If the mixture is too thick, add more Almond Breeze Milk, a little at a time, up to ½ cup more if needed. The consistency should be thicker than normal pancake batter, but should still be easily spreadable. 5. Grease a non-stick skillet or griddle and place over medium- low heat. 6. With a fork, gently dip the banana slices individually into the batter, coating the entire slice. Allow excess batter to drip back into the bowl before placing the banana on the skillet. 7. Fill the skillet with the banana pancake slices, flipping after a couple of minutes. The pancakes are ready to flip when bubbles form on the bottom and pop. Repeat the process until you finish cooking the desired amount of banana pancake bites, or until the batter runs out. 8. Top banana pancake bites with maple syrup or dip them in syrup individually. Balancing breakfast with BLUE DIAMOND ALMOND BREEZE