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When my friend Linda, a.k.a. My Hungry Monster, came to visit me in New York after spending two years in Australia, she shared a recipe that would become my (healthy) addiction. BIRCHER MUESLI! A popular brekkie in Oceania, it is made with soaked uncooked overnight oats, apples, apple juice, and nuts. Soaking your oats releases minerals and enzymes, increasing their nutritious value and making them more easily digestible. It also makes them fluffier and thicker than the cooked version. Here’s the back story on Bircher, via My Hungry Monster.
“Around 1900 Swiss doctor Maximillian Bircher-Benner had made Bircher Muesli part of a healing therapy treatment for his patients as it’s good for digestion (and also gets you some fiber!). Apart from Switzerland, it can also be found on the tables of neighboring European countries such as Germany, Austria, England, and Sweden. “
Here’s my chocolate twist on Bircher!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 grated green apple
- 3 tbs. Greek yogurt (or coconut yogurt for a vegan version)
- 2 tbs. cocoa, raw cacao or Philosophie Cacao Magic
- 2 tbs. cashews (you can also use almonds or walnuts)
- 2 tbs. raisins
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tbs. honey
- 1 cup almond milk
Mix everything together in a jar. If it’s not moist enough, add more juice or water. Put in the fridge for the night (a few hours would be enough, too). In the morning, top with your favorite fruit and superfoods – I used blueberries, banana, pomegranate seeds, goji berries and, flax seeds and cocoa nibs. Voilà! This was one of the most delicious breakfasts I’ve eaten in a while, and a much healthier alternative to a cereal or oatmeal from a packet.
If you make this, post a picture on Instagram and tag it #BreakfastCriminals. I love seeing your creations!