Dessert for Breakfast

The Next Best Thing to Chocolate

Let's talk dessert.

What's your seasonal choice of pie? Pumpkin, pecan, or sweet potato? How about cookies? Are you into decorated, frosted cookies shaped like Christmas trees, stars, Santa, wreaths, etc.? No? Maybe you're more inclined to something different that's still sweet, but sounds a bit healthier. After all, we really don't want to start the new year with a resolution to whittle away all those extra pounds from holiday eating. So, maybe a dessert with fruit? Hey, stop right there, don't even suggest the old December standby, fruitcake. Nope, that won't help you keep off the extra pounds. Besides, I've got something better in mind. Furthermore, it's healthy and delicious enough to show up on the breakfast table.

Dessert for breakfast ... every kid's dream. And a dish to enjoy right from the oven or warmed up the next day. I'm talking about an easy to make banana-blueberry crisp that I originally found as a summertime recipe when freshly-picked blueberries were plentiful. It works just as well in the winter, though - just substitute frozen blueberries for fresh and you're good to go.

This fruit crisp is especially versatile. Serve it hot out of the oven as a dessert with a little vanilla ice cream on top. Warm it up the next morning (or eat it cold) as a substitute for oatmeal, perhaps adding a little milk to it. I love it served warm on a cold morning with a little vanilla almond milk mixed in for a creamier consistency. It's the best type of recipe - quick and easy to make! Short grain rice works particularly well, but really any type will do, as will other grains like bulgur wheat. I prefer brown rice, which I cook in a rice cooker while I pre-heat the oven and prepare the rest of the ingredients.

Banana-Blueberry Crisp

2 cups cooked rice or bulgur

¾ cups skim milk

¼ cup brown sugar

1 Tbs margarine, melted (optional)

1 tsp cinnamon

2 bananas, peeled & sliced

2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine rice or bulgur, milk, sugar, margarine if desired, and cinnamon. Add fruit and mix gently. Transfer to an 8 inch square baking pan and cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.

And enjoy!

It'll put a smile on your face and maybe entice your kids away from the overly sugary breakfast cereals, too. Not mention helping you avoid putting on that extra winter weight.