Warm Your Weekends with Heritage Breakfasts

Picture your perfect weekend fall morning. Maybe there’s bright sun passing through the leaves outside. And maybe, if you sniff just so, the delicious scent of breakfast is wafting through the air.

Breakfast can set the tone for a day – whether it’s a weekend feast or a quick and satisfying weekday on-the-go option. The Oldways 1-2-3 breakfast plan, inspired by Mediterranean breakfasts, breaks down this meal into three simple categories: whole grains, fresh fruit or vegetables, and a source of protein. You could opt for a cup of yogurt with granola and fresh fruit; eggs and avocado on whole wheat toast; or a whole grain bagel, apple, and handful of nuts that you grab on your way out the door. From fancy to fast, eating something from each of these categories will energize you and fill you up until lunch.

Now that more pumpkins and autumn colors are beginning to abound, there’s one other breakfast criteria you may crave – when you have the time to spare: that it be warming. Whether in temperature or flavor, every heritage diet offers filling and nutritious breakfast options to make slower weekend days a little warmer.

Mediterranean

Breakfast Quinoa with Figs and Honey: This mildly sweet oatmeal alternative comes together in minutes for a satisfying, nourishing start to your day, while the deep clove, hearty walnuts and chewy dried figs will remind you of the season itself. Try topping with a dollop of Greek yogurt for an added boost of protein.

Pumpkin Date Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls: Pumpkin recipes are the best in October! We make these cinnamon rolls in the slow cooker, so that the dough can rise and cook all in one easy step. Whole wheat dough has the structure to withstand this type of moist cooking environment, creating a perfectly gooey roll with cinnamon date filling.

African

Overnight Waffles with Teff, Coriander, and Caramelized Pineapple: Earthy coriander pairs beautifully with the caramelly sweetness of these crisp teff waffles. They are delicious topped with ricotta and mixed fresh fruit – or broil some pineapple rings, and you have a Sunday morning feast!

Banana Millet Breakfast Porridge: Millet is an important African heritage grain that can be eaten at every meal. This porridge is a satisfying and healthy breakfast option, with banana and honey adding sweetness and cinnamon adding warmth. Pre-soaking the millet overnight, or at least for a few hours, is recommended to give the porridge a creamier texture. 

Latin American

Migas con Huevo: Migas con huevo is a popular Mexican breakfast dish made by crisping up pieces of tortilla and scrambling them with eggs. We like to soften some onion and jalapeño before adding the eggs for a level of savory spice, but this dish is highly customizable – we recommend serving with fresh salsa and sliced avocado. Enjoy for a delicious breakfast or brunch!

Mosh (Guatemalan Oatmeal): Lightly spiced and sweetened, mosh is a milky oatmeal beverage served for breakfast in Guatemala and some other Central American countries. In this version, we soak the oats overnight so that they cook more quickly in the morning.

Asian

Besan Onion Cheele (Chickpea Flour Crepes): Crepes are always a delicious breakfast option, especially because of their versatility! In Indian cuisine, cheele are savory crepes typically served with chutney or plain yogurt for breakfast. The most popular cheele are made with besan (chickpea or garbanzo bean flour), giving the dish a boost of protein. 

Sesame Ginger Spelt Waffles: Although these waffles themselves are served warm, recipes can also be warming in flavor; these very much are, thanks primarily to the ginger and whole grains.

Although these breakfasts can be a fun way to spend a weekend morning, the first meal of the day doesn’t have to be extravagant. From overnight oats to meal-prepped hard-boiled eggs, there are so many simple breakfast options that perfectly fit into the 1-2-3 plan. Ultimately, eating something healthy in the morning, no matter how quick, will energize you, keep you full, and – if you so choose – add a little warmth to your day.