Bircher Muesli with Fresh Fruit {My Breakfast Of Choice On The Ruby Princess}

I know what you are thinking, of all things for me to come home from my cruise obsessed with, it’s this Bircher Muesli, right? Not the mango margaritas, seafood dinners and chocolate journeys desserts I indulged in on the Ruby Princess, but a breakfast I found on the breakfast buffet – this is what I feel the need to share with you immediately. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, even when you’re cruising. Humor me please.

Typically I’m an egg for breakfast girl, but when I stumbled onto the section of the breakfast bar that was holding bowls of Bircher muesli, dried fruits and plenty of nuts I was instantly intrigued. What in the world is Bircher Muesli anyway? That’s what I was wondering! It’s basically overnight oats (or what I sometimes call refrigerator oats, but a little different and invented by the Swiss physician, Maximilian Bircher-Benner (a bonus history lesson for you!). I go on an overnight oats kicks every now and then and needless to say, I’ve been on one since I got home from my Princess Cruise a few weeks ago.

I can not express enough how generally impressed I was with the food on our cruise. When I remember cruising with my husband and parents back in the day, I definitely remember food, but I remember the quantity of it more so than the quality. My friend (and plus one) Heidi and I both ate breakfast and a couple of lunches in the main buffet area and we commented more than once on the selection of food items that were being served. You know how I am with my salad so of course I was seeking out the salad bar on the very first day. Guys, I was loving my salads all week long, especially with whatever fish or sandwich they were serving nearby. I really tried to keep things light (when I could!) and the variety of food and dining really made it possible.

Just a sampling of the many many food items I had while on the ship…

From top left to bottom right: Smoked Mahi Mahi (I loved this so much!!) over a salad I made from the salad bar, Bircher Muesli with sliced almonds, stewed apricots and prunes, Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Sandwich, Crab Stuffed Deviled Eggs, Grilled Tomatoes and Smoked Salmon Quiche.

I could eat that entire collage of food every single day.

Do you have room for more food?

From top left to bottom right: Crab and Lobster Margarita with Avocado and Tequila, Chocolate Dipped Strawberry and an almond sandwich cookie, Grilled Vegetable and Assorted Salads, Roast Beef Tenderloin & Veal Shank with Vegetables, Seared Scallops with Vegetables.

I can only dream of eating like this again.

You now know why I opted for a healthy breakfast every morning. 🙂

Print Recipe

Bircher Muesli with Fresh Fruit

Yield: about 3 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 cups prepared muesli (I used Bob Red Mill's Muesli or you can make your own)
• 1 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk (found in dairy section near almond and soy milk)
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• fresh seasonal fruit for serving (i.e. sliced ripe pears, raspberries, bananas)
• cinnamon, for serving
• chopped or sliced nuts, for serving

Directions:

1. Combine muesli and coconut milk in a container (use one with a lid for storing in the refrigerator). Place into fridge and let sit for at least 6 hours or overnight.
2. When coconut milk is mostly absorbed and muesli is ready to serve, combine 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt into muesli. Spoon into 3 servings and top with fresh fruit, nuts and cinnamon. Serve chilled.

You can store muesli in refrigerator and eat one serving each day with fresh fruit. Add additional coconut milk or yogurt if needed.

Recipe inspired by my breakfast on Princess Cruises. Recipe adapted from My Little Gourmet and Jamie Oliver

(Disclosure: I was a guest of Princess Cruises for this cruise and am being compensated for my time to share it with you. All opinions expressed are my own.)

Follow Aggie’s Kitchen’s board Healthy Breakfasts on Pinterest.