Healthy Breakfast Idea: A Spin on Eight Treasure Porridge

When I need a healthy breakfast idea, I always start to brainstorm ideas for easy breakfast bowls I can easily take with me on the go. The easier it is for me to eat breakfast, the more likely I’ll eat it. In the lexicon of traditional Chinese medicine breakfast recipes, there is never a shortage of make ahead porridges, stews, and grain bowls to choose from. This gluten free breakfast made with black glutinous rice, black sesame seeds, and black beans that give it its rich dark color, is one of my favorites. In many Chinese families, there’s also a well known adage that says that the more black sesame seeds or black colored foods you eat, the more it’ll prevent your hair from going white! So, more reasons for you to give this nutty, sweet, and comforting breakfast a try.

In case you can’t find these ingredients at a local Asian supermarket, I’ve linked most of the specialty items below. Enjoy 15% off when you use code ASUN15!

Serving size: 4-6

Cooking Time: 2 hours

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup of glutinous rice

• 1/8 cup of glutinous black rice

• 1/4 cup black sesame seeds

• 1/8 cup black soybeans (Amazon link - no code)

• Handful of dried red jujubes (de-pitted)

• 1 tbsp rock sugar or brown sugar

• 6 cups water

Instructions:

• Wash the black beans then add everything to a pot, except for the sugar.

• Add 6 cups of water and bring everything to a boil on medium heat, stirring occasionally so that the rice doesn’t stick to the bottom.

• Once the porridge is at a boil, turn the heat down to low and let it simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

• After 2 hours, add in the sugar, give it a mix and let the sugar dissolve for about 5-10 mins.

• Serve as is or keep in the fridge for an easy morning breakfast.

• Feel free to mix in milk of choice and fruit for an even better experience.