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CHAPTER 1

Breakfast

Breakfast tends to be polarizing. No one's ever hating on dinner, but when it comes to breakfast, there are two camps: The "Too Much Work, Can't Be Bothered" camp that waits until lunch, and the "Best Way to Start Your Day" camp. As you may have guessed, I am a love-it-can't-live-without-it breakfast fan.

If you're with me, then you don't need to be convinced of why it's worth it to take some time before work or school starts. (Or even setting aside a weekend afternoon to prep a big batch breakfast.)

For you other guys, if you're even reading this chapter, hear me out. These ideas for breakfast are simply meals. I've eaten muesli and granola for dinner many times — it answers a childlike dessert-for-dinner craving without being too decadent. The morning grain bowls and toasts can be lunch or dinner, and the smoothies and banana bread both easily stand in as an afternoon stack.

Smoothies

There are very few rules to making a great smoothie. In fact, whole books and websites are devoted to them. So, why do you need some new recipes? Well, the truth is, blending a banana with a scoop of fruit and a pour of milk tastes delicious. But, will it keep you full until lunch? Probably not.

THE KEYS TO A GREAT SMOOTHIE ARE:

• Doesn't take a lot of work in the morning

• Has fiber and protein to keep you full

• Has rich flavors — which is why you'll see spices, vanilla, and other potentially "unusual ingredients." These are always optional, but I think make the difference between fine and delicious.

• Sweetness is secondary (not too much fruit, unsweetened nut milks)

• Add the liquid last so that the chunky bits blend first and the smoothie doesn't warm up too much.

The recipes have my suggested liquids and sweetener, but feel free to use whatever you like best or have on hand. Agave, maple syrup, and honey can all be swapped out. Same goes for almond, rice, hemp, and oat milk.

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Smoothie with a Kick

MAKES 1 SMOOTHIE

Who wants to drink a chocolate milkshake for breakfast? [Raises hand.] Unfortunately, that just doesn't fly on a regular basis. Cocoa powder adds a chocolatey flavor with very few calories and no sugar, and peanut butter adds richness and depth. Sometimes, I add % cup quick-cooking oats to this smoothie for extra bulk and fiber. Rolled oats will work, too, if you have a super powerful blender.

INGREDIENTS
HOW TO MAKE IT

Combine all the ingredients in your blender, adding the almond milk last. Blend until smooth, and drink right away!

Dairy-Free Tahini, Mango, and Coconut Water "Lassi"

MAKES 1 SMOOTHIE

I love mango lassi, a sweet yogurt drink popular in India. But, since I use dairy as an accent, a yogurt-based smoothie is out of the question. Instead, coconut water acts as a base and plays well with tropical mango.

1 INGREDIENTS
HOW TO MAKE IT Combine all the ingredients in your blender, adding the coconut water last. Blend until smooth, and drink right away!

Super-Green Pineapple and Spinach Smoothie

MAKES 1 SMOOTHIE

This smoothie packs a cup of spinach into a well-balanced breakfast. Plus, the pineapple is sweet enough so you don't need any maple syrup.

INGREDIENTS
HOW TO MAKE IT

Combine all the ingredients in your blender, adding the almond milk last. Blend until smooth, and drink right away!

Banana-Avocado Chai Shake

MAKES 1 SMOOTHIE

Given avocado's superstar status in the food world, you'd think that it would be in more smoothies. Not only does it add body and protein, but it also gives smoothies a milkshake-like richness. I first tasted an avocado shake in Morocco, but the multifaceted flavors of Indian chai spice fit even better here. Of course, you can use just cinnamon or a pinch of ground cardamom for a quick fix.

INGREDIENTS
HOW TO MAKE IT

Combine all the ingredients in your blender, adding the almond milk last. Blend until smooth, and drink right away!

Chai Spice Mix

MAKES ABOUT A CUP

This is a good time to recycle an old empty spice jar. Rinse and dry it well before using — if it's wet, the spices will clump and mold.

Combine 1 tablespoon each ground cinnamon and ground ginger, 2 teaspoons ground cardamom, and 1 teaspoon each ground cloves and freshly ground black pepper in a small jar. Cover and shake to combine.

The chai spice mix will keep in a jar at room temperature for up to 3 months.

Gingery Peach and Berry Smoothie

MAKES 1 SMOOTHIE

The combination of oats, vanilla, ginger, and berries makes this taste like a summer crisp. I like 100-percent fruit preserves for sweetness without adding straight-up sugar.

1 INGREDIENTS 1 cup (250 g) frozen peaches ½ cup (75 g) frozen mixed berries ¼ cup (20 g) quick-cooking oats 2 tablespoon berry preserves (no-sugar-added, if possible) teaspoons peeled and grated fresh ginger, or 2 teaspoons fresh ginger juice, or 1 teaspoon ground ginger ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1½ cups (360 ml) unsweetened almond milk

HOW TO MAKE IT

Combine all the ingredients in your blender, adding the almond milk last. Blend until smooth, and drink right away!

Turmeric-Horchata Smoothie

MAKES 1 SMOOTHIE

Growing up in Los Angeles, I lived on a steady diet of incredible Mexican food. On the side of every meal I drank a frosty glass of horchata — a traditional Mexican cinnamon rice drink. Horchata is made by processing raw white rice with water and steeping until you get a milky liquid. Then it's souped up with massive amounts of sugar and a hefty dose of cinnamon. Naturally, I still love those flavors, but something lighter is more my speed for daily drinking. Turmeric adds color and has anti-inflammatory properties.

1 INGREDIENTS
HOW TO MAKE IT

Combine all the ingredients in your blender, adding the rice milk last. Blend until smooth, and drink right away!

Carrot-Pumpkin Smoothie

MAKES 1 SMOOTHIE

This smoothie packs a whopping serving of beta-carotene — which gives both carrots and pumpkins their beautiful orange hues. Beta-carotene converts to vitamin A in our bodies, helping vision and our immune systems, among other benefits. If you don't want to use carrot juice, try swapping in orange or apple juice. But, skip the maple syrup until you taste the smoothie since those juices tend to be on the sweeter side.

INGREDIENTS

½ cup (125 g) pumpkin purée 1 small banana ½ cup (120 ml) ice cubes 1 tablespoon flaxseeds ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon Pinch nutmeg 1 cup (240 ml) fresh carrot juice 1 teaspoon maple syrup

HOW TO MAKE IT

Combine all the ingredients in your blender, adding the carrot juice last. Blend until smooth, and drink right away!

Eggs

Not only are eggs an amazing source of protein, they're a versatile ingredient for breakfast. I can eat eggs every day of the week and never get sick of them.

These recipes showcase my favorite ways of making eggs: a soft, custardy scramble, crispy fried eggs, runny yolk 6-minute boiled eggs, not-quite hard-boiled 9-minute eggs, and poaching the eggs directly into a sauce — in this case, saucy, herbed white beans.

A NOTE ABOUT THE WELFARE OF EGG-LAYING CHICKENS IN THE UNITED STATES

The best place to buy eggs is your local farmers' market. Usually this means that the chickens roam free and graze on a mixed diet. In the market, comparable terms are "free range," "certified humane," and "organic." It's easy to get sticker shock in the market when you see the conventional eggs at two or three dollars cheaper per carton; however, those eggs come with a price of their own. A five-dollar carton of organic eggs comes out to fewer than fifty cents per egg, or less than a dollar for a two-egg breakfast.

Pesto-Swirled Scrambled Eggs

Restaurant-quality eggs, in your pajamas. Victory! This would work well with any sauce. Try it with olive tapenade or chopped sun-dried tomatoes.

MAKES BREAKFAST FOR 1

INGREDIENTS
HOW TO MAKE IT

Get a medium nonstick skillet good and hot over medium-high heat — for at least a minute but not too much longer.

While the skillet heats, use a fork to beat the eggs in a small bowl with ¼ teaspoon salt and a few generous grinds of black pepper.

Pour the oil into the skillet and swirl it to coat the pan. Have a silicone spatula ready, and pour the eggs into the pan. Start stirring immediately in wide swoops, pulling the edges in to the center (they'll start to cook faster). It will take only 1 to 2 minutes to get the eggs to a soft scramble, so don't walk away.

Pull the pan off the heat and swirl in the pesto. Spoon the eggs over the toast and sprinkle with the cheese.

Plain Jane Soft-Scrambled Eggs

MAKES BREAKFAST FOR 1

Making perfect scrambled eggs isn't hard, but a little planning ensures silky, custardy eggs instead of rubbery, overcooked ones. Since the eggs cook in a minute or two, don't start anything until all your ingredients are prepped and measured out. Finish the eggs with Lemony Parsley Butter (page 227) for a fancier take.

INGREDIENTS
HOW TO MAKE IT

Get a medium nonstick skillet good and hot over medium-high heat — for at least a minute but not too much longer.

While the skillet heats, use a fork to beat the eggs in a small bowl with the milk or cream (if you're using it), ¼ teaspoon salt, and a few generous grinds of pepper.

Add half of the butter to the skillet and swirl it to coat the pan. Have a silicone spatula ready and pour the eggs into the pan. Immediately start stirring in wide swoops, pulling the edges in to the center (they'll start to cook faster). It will take only 1 to 2 minutes to get the eggs to a soft scramble, so don't walk away.

Pull the pan off the heat and stir in the rest of the butter. Serve immediately with toast, topped with flaky sea salt.

Chorizo Breakfast Tacos

MAKES BREAKFAST FOR 1

Just one small piece of dried chorizo sausage adds smoky, meaty flavor to these tacos. You cook the chorizo in a little bit of oil first so each piece gets nice and crispy (plus it seasons the oil, too!). To remove the casing on the chorizo, use your knife to make a thin cut from tip to tip. Grab an edge of the papery skin and pull it off in a firm but steady motion, then slice.

INGREDIENTS
HOW TO MAKE IT

Using tongs, put a tortilla directly on the grate of a gas burner turned to medium-high. Cook, flipping once, until the edges are charred and the tortilla is hot. Repeat to toast the second tortilla. Keep warm.

Use a fork to beat the eggs in a small bowl with 1/8 teaspoon salt and a few generous grinds of black pepper. You're looking for them to be uniformly yellow and slightly frothy.

Heat the oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the chorizo and cook, stirring often, until the pieces are golden brown and crispy, 2 to 3 minutes.

Take the pan off the heat and add the eggs. Have a spatula ready and stir constantly, pulling the edges into the center, until the curds are just set, 15 to 30 seconds (this will happen quicker than normal scrambled eggs because the pan is hot).

Fold in the parsley and cheese. Divide the eggs between the toasted tortillas. Sprinkle with a little extra parsley and eat right away.

Hummus and Avocado Flatbreads with a Crispy Fried Egg

MAKES BREAKFAST FOR 1

In my opinion, any fried egg that isn't crispy just isn't doing its job. If you're frying it, fry it. This means cranking up the heat, sliding the egg in when the oil is good and hot, and not being afraid to let the edges get lacy and brown. Follow my method and you'll get it right every time.

INGREDIENTS
HOW TO MAKE IT

Heat the oil in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the egg to the skillet, cover, and cook the egg until the edges are crispy and the yolk and whites are set, 2 to 3 minutes.

While the egg cooks, smear the hummus on the toasted flatbread and top with the avocado. Slide the cooked egg on top, then sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Top with some red pepper flakes and cilantro leaves. I also like to drizzle any leftover hot oil from the pan on the flatbread.

Miso-Butter Toast with a Nine-Minute Egg

MAKES BREAKFAST FOR 1

The first time I made this toast, I had no way of knowing I'd become completely obsessed, eating it every morning for two weeks straight. The salty-rich miso butter adds a ton of flavor and pairs perfectly with the creamy egg yolks. I usually top the egg with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, but sometimes I go nuts and drizzle with soy sauce, which is equally delicious. If you don't have miso, mix 1 tablespoon of butter with 1 teaspoon soy sauce. It doesn't have the same richness, but you'll get a similar umami taste.

INGREDIENTS
HOW TO MAKE IT

Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Using a long-handled spoon, gently lower the egg into the water. Roughly dropping it in can cause the shell to crack on the bottom of the pot.

Turn the heat down to a gentle simmer and set a timer for 9 minutes. Carefully remove the cooked egg and submerge in an ice bath or run under cold water until cool enough to handle. Tap the egg gently on the counter and roll to crack the shell all over. Peel the shell off and then slice the egg remove the cooked egg and submerge in an ice bath or run under cold water until cool enough to handle. Tap the egg gently on the counter and roll to crack the shell all over. Peel the shell off and then slice the egg crosswise into 5 or 6 slices.

Spread the toast with the miso butter and top with the egg. Season with salt and pepper, eat, and enjoy!

Breakfast Caprese with Soft-Boiled Eggs

MAKES BREAKFAST FOR 1

Soft-boiled eggs perfectly enhance the classic flavors of caprese salad. Make sure to place the eggs on top of the tomato and mozzarella so that when you cut into them the yolk runs all over and makes a sauce. I like the baby basil leaves that come from the inside of a bunch. They taste less earthy and look pretty on your plate.

INGREDIENTS
HOW TO MAKE IT

Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Using a long-handled spoon, gently lower the eggs into the water. Roughly dropping them in can cause the shells to crack on the bottom of the pot.

Turn the heat down to a gentle simmer and set a timer for 6 minutes. Carefully remove the cooked egg and submerge in an ice bath or run under cold water until cool enough to handle. Tap the egg gently on the counter and roll to crack the shell all over. Peel the shell off.

Arrange the mozzarella and tomato slices on a plate and nestle the eggs into the center so they're secure. Drizzle with the olive oil, sprinkle with basil, season with salt and pepper, and slice open the eggs so that the yolk runs all over.

(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "Healthyish"
by .
Copyright © 2017 Lindsay Maitland Hunt.
Excerpted by permission of Abrams Books.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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