Yogurt breakfast from the EcoStoof

Ecostoof in Aruba

This morning, my first thought was: is it raining again? Today the sky is grey, and the clouds seem to have decided that they want to turn our little country into a true swimming pool. On these drizzly late-winter days, there’s really only one thing I want to do: get away to a sunny, dry, and preferably also warm place, even if only in my thoughts. How wonderful that I'm starting this blog today! Let’s dream away and talk about the Ecostoof on an island in the sun. Ecostoof in Aruba, a wonderful place where I had the privilege of conducting research for my thesis on the socio-ecological significance of mangroves.

Breakfast on the Beach

Imagine: you wake up, and the first thing you hear is the rustling of the palm trees. The sun shines on your swimwear. You hung it out to dry overnight, but now it almost looks at you questioningly: When are we going again? When will you be sitting with your toes in the sand, with your Dushi next to you, looking out at the sea? Perhaps you can have breakfast on the beach... a picnic and an early morning swim, is there a better way to start the day?

My secret ingredient is peanut butter in yogurt

Yes, breakfast! Now we’re getting to the heart of the matter. That is, we’re going to add some flavours to this delicious dream. For me, breakfast is the best meal of the day. I have a favourite breakfast, and it really is sacred to me in some way. My favourite breakfast is yogurt with granola, nuts, fruit, and (call me crazy or brilliant) a little bit of peanut butter.

Everything is expensive here, so I make my own yogurt.

All these ingredients can be found in the supermarkets on the island, but since Aruba has to import most food products, prices can sometimes be quite high. I checked, and a litre of quark costs seven euros! In contrast, a litre of milk can be bought for less than two euros. That's why I can recommend to anyone living in Aruba (and anyone who loves yogurt, cooking, experimenting, and of course, the Ecostoof) to make yogurt yourself from your milk in the Ecostoof! (Hmm, yogurt from the Ecostoof? Yes, certainly! Did I surprise you or not?)

You can find the yogurt recipe here

Combine your yogurt with granola, nuts, seeds, (Aruban) honey, papaya, (fried) banana, pineapple, the beach, the top of the hay stack, your Dushi, a batido (smoothie) or, if like me you're staring at the grey Dutch sky, with sunny summer dreams!

Were you surprised that you can make yogurt in the Ecostoof? And would you like to know if your favourite breakfast can also be prepared in the Ecostoof? Let me know, because I love stewing, writing about your ideas, tips, and challenges!