Yogurt breakfast from the EcoStoof

Ecostoof on 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 real swimming pool. On these drizzly late-winter days, there is 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 am starting this blog today! Let's dream and talk about the Ecostoof on an island in the sun. Ecostoof on Aruba, a wonderful place where I had the privilege of researching the socio-ecological significance of mangroves for my thesis.

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 up to dry overnight, but now it almost seems to look at you questioningly: when are we going again? When will you be sitting with your toes in the sand, with your dushi beside 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 are 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 truly is sacred to me in some way. My favourite breakfast is yogurt with granola, nuts, fruit, and (call me crazy or brilliant) a little peanut butter.

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

All these ingredients can be found in the island's supermarkets, 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, you can get a litre of milk for less than two euros. That's why I can recommend anyone living in Aruba (and anyone who loves yogurt, cooking, experimenting, and of course, the Ecostoof) to make yogurt from their milk themselves in the Ecostoof! (Hmm, yogurt from the Ecostoof? Yes, indeed! Did I surprise you or not?)

You can find the recipe for the yogurt here

Combine your yogurt with granola, nuts, seeds, (Aruban) honey, papaya, (fried) banana, pineapple, the beach, the top of the hay bale, your dushi, a batido (smoothie), or, if you're like me staring at the grey Dutch skies, 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 to stew, write about your ideas, tips, and challenges!