Healthy fall flavors for the whole family
Oct. 16, 2024
By Mary Wade Burnside and Sarah Moore
After a long, hot and dry summer, temperatures are finally getting cooler and fall is in the air.
What better way to start off a foggy and cozy morning with a breakfast that celebrates October, and is healthy to boot?
This month’s WIC Kitchen offers a Pumpkin Spice Latte and Waffles with Cranberry Orange Syrup.
You might be wondering, “Is Pumpkin Spice Latte really healthy?” According to WIC nutritionist Sarah Moore, who compiled these recipes, it’s an alternative that’s better for you than what you might find at a coffee shop.
Plus, pumpkins are great for heart health because they contain vitamins A and C as well as thiamine. They are also high in beta-carotene, which is known to benefit skin and eye health.
And the waffle recipe adds cranberries, which are full of antioxidants. That’s also a boon for heart health that can also aid in lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.
So put on your robe and slippers, grab your newspaper and enjoy a seasonal breakfast!
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Ingredients:
1 cup strong coffee
1 tablespoon pumpkin puree*
1 tablespoon maple syrup
4 ounces (½ cup) fresh whole milk*
¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (double for two servings when steaming)
Instructions:
Make coffee or espresso.
Use a spoon to mix the coffee with pumpkin puree and maple syrup, stirring until the pumpkin is completely dissolved.
Froth warm milk. We used a handheld frother, a whisk can be used too.
Pour the spiced milk into the center of the coffee, ending with light foam, using half the steamed or frothed milk for one drink. If desired, garnish with extra pumpkin spices. Enjoy!
Waffles with Cranberry Orange Syrup
Ingredients:
3/4 cup honey
3/4 cup fresh or frozen cranberries*
1 teaspoon orange zest*
5 tablespoons toasted almonds
Waffle mix of your choice
Instructions:
Preheat waffle maker
Bring honey, cranberries to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring often. Cook until the cranberries burst, about four minutes. Remove from heat and stir in orange zest. Set aside.
Meanwhile, prepare waffle batter according to package directions
Pour approximately ⅓ cup of batter mixture into waffle maker
Once waffles are done, top with cranberry orange syrup. Serve and enjoy!
*Ingredients with an asterisk next to them are available through Monongalia County Health Department WIC. Call us at 304-598-5181 for more information.