STRAWBERRY BUCKWHEAT PORRIDGE WITH COCOA CRUMBLES (GLUTEN-FREE)

With this new Summer heat, there’s no way I’m turning on my oven, not to mention the stove.  These days, it’s mostly salads, smoothies & cold-temp meals (even when the AC is blasting).  That’s part of why I love this porridge so much.  It’s the Summer version of your morning oatmeal, with a crunchy, chocolate-y topping you'll want to make and put on everything.

Strawberry Buckwheat Porridge with Cocoa Crumbles (Serves 4) Gluten-free + DAIRY-FREE

  • 1 cup buckwheat groats
  • 1/2 cup almond milk
  • 1 frozen banana*
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped
  • 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean, seeded
  • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1 orange, juiced
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • Fresh strawberries, to serve

Cocoa Crumbles:

  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1/3 cup gluten-free oats
  • 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
  • 1/3 cup raw sunflower seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • Pinch of sea salt

In a mixing bowl, add buckwheat and cover with filtered water.  Set aside for at least 6 hours or overnight. (Make sure to freeze a banana now, if you don’t already have one ready). 

In a small saucepan, heat coconut oil and honey over medium low heat.  Then, add oats, cocoa powder, sunflower seeds, vanilla and a pinch of sea salt .  Cook, stirring often, until mixture thickens and becomes “sticky”.  Lay out mixture on a baking sheet to cool.

In the morning, rinse buckwheat well & drain , then add to a blender with almond milk.  On high speed, blend until smooth and creamy.  Then add, frozen banana, strawberries, maple, vanilla, cardamom & citrus.  Blend until well combined.

Then, divide between 4 ramekins.  Top with fresh sliced strawberries & cooled cocoa crumbles.  For extra sweetness, add a drizzle of maple over top.  Serve immediately!