5 Fresh & Fruity Breakfasts from Madeline Lu

Make a list of places you would love to visit, and there’s a good chance that Madeline Jia Lu has lived there. Born in China, the talented food and lifestyle photographer and blogger has called Canada, UK, Switzerland, and Germany home, although she and her family now live in the golden city of San Francisco.

Her travels seem to influence her recipe creations. Her repertoire ranges from savory curries to delicate crepes to tender raviolis to spicy pad thai and beyond. Madeline describes her philosophy on food as simple, healthy, and delicious. She delivers on all of these points, plus her dishes are edible works of art (seriously, you’ve got to check her out on Instagram).

Her focus is on vegetarian dishes, and many of her recipes are raw, gluten-free, and vegan as well. Even if your bunch includes omnivores, they would be hard-pressed to pass on any of these flavorful meals.

Narrowing down her collection to a few favorites is challenging. Since it is the first meal of the day, we will focus on breakfast. Feast your eyes on these divine, fruit-filled morning meals that would make any day seem special:

Raspberry Chia Smoothie Breakfast Bowl

Some people simply prefer for their breakfasts to come in a bowl, but processed cereals laden with sugar and artificial ingredients certainly leave something to be desired. Swap the fake “frooty” flavored junk for a smoothie in a bowl.

This appealing pink treat rivals any artificially colored stuff your kids might favor and the taste will top their traditional breakfast fare. You can start with frozen fruits, so it’s easy to keep the ingredients on hand and make this morning meal no matter the season.

Along with mangos, bananas, and raspberries, a little almond milk and some chia seeds give this breakfast bowl a lovely, rich texture. Top the bowl with something crunchy for another level of texture and taste (Madeline also has an easy recipe for homemade granola, as a mouthwatering addition).

Raw Blueberry Buckwheat Porridge

Porridge isn’t only for bear families and golden-haired intruders. This purple porridge is as tasty to eat as it is pretty to look at.

If you have never had porridge and aren’t quite sure what to make of it, it’s simply a type of grain – usually chopped, crushed or ground — that’s boiled or cooked in liquid to make it a creamy cereal dish, much like oatmeal.

Madeline’s fruity dish is raw, so there is no boiling or cooking involved. Instead, she soaks whole buckwheat overnight. A quick aside: despite “wheat” in its name, buckwheat is a completely different plant (it’s actually related to rhubarb) and is safe for those who avoid gluten.

After soaking and rinsing the buckwheat, Madeline blends it with frozen blueberries and maple syrup for a sweet, creamy meal. Top with nuts for some added protein and crunchy goodness.

Avocado Cocoa Mousse Bowl with Berries, Cocoa Nibs and Bee Pollen

Heart healthy avocados are so versatile. Sure, they’re appealing on salads or mashed into guacamole, but what about using them as the foundation for vegetarian breakfast ideas?

Madeline mashes a ripe avocado half with frozen banana for a rich, velvety base. Some deep, dark cocoa gives the mixture a scrumptious fudgy flavor. She adds even more fruity layers by topping the bowl with berries and dragon fruit balls along with cocoa nibs and bee pollen, a true superfood. What kid (or adult) is going to turn down chocolate for breakfast?

Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Banana Pancakes

While we’re on the subject of chocolate, few fruits pair better with the flavor than bananas. Turn this decadent, dessert-worthy combo into a yummy way to eat fruit for breakfast.

This unique twist on flapjacks doesn’t stray too far from traditional recipes, save for the swap of wheat flour for a gluten free version and some luscious embellishments. The two most significant additions are fresh banana and cocoa powder. Scrumptious.

Coconut Oat Porridge with Rhubarb Compote, Strawberries and Pistachios

We round out this collection of fruity dishes with one more porridge idea. Unlike the previous porridge recipe, this one isn’t raw. It is, however, just as lovely and delicious. It’s simple and quick to throw together, as well, making it a nice option for a weekday breakfast.

Rolled oats and coconut milk make a creamy porridge, but it’s the topping that makes this dish so memorable. Sweet strawberries, tart rhubarb compote, and crunchy pistachios brighten and intensify this morning meal in the most wonderful way.

You can whip up any of these heavenly, gorgeous recipes for breakfast any day of the week or even enjoy them as a sweet but healthy treat instead. It doesn’t really matter when you try them, just that you do! The only regret you might have after digging into these fruity dishes is that they’re gone.

What are some of your favorite fruity breakfast recipes? Share with us!