By Dev, CN Manager + Breakfast Bowl Aficionado
Working at Cambridge Naturals has given me many opportunities to hone my skills in the kitchen with delicious, all-natural ingredients! It’s been a fun challenge to use several of our amazing products in one dish, and this is the first in a series of blog posts that will be exploring some quick, simple meals sourced primarily or only from our shelves.
One of my go-to breakfast staples is relatively simple and fast to put together, and allows almost infinite options for customization: the humble rice bowl. My breakfast rice bowls always feature one of my favorite super-foods… natto!
Natto is somewhat divisive in the culinary world. It has a uniquely pungent, earthy flavor, and a sticky-slimy texture. While it’s not for everyone, it is a savory and nutrient-packed addition over rice and has been a popular breakfast food in Japan for centuries. So, what is it? Soy beans fermented with Bacillus subtilis var. Natto!
Natto is associated with many health benefits. It’s the original and primary source of nattokinase, an enzyme which can provide support for blood clotting and other cardiovascular issues like hypertension. It’s also the most concentrated food source for vitamin K2, which provides support for calcium regulation in bone growth and strength.
Bacillus subtilis itself is also a spore probiotic species which provides many natural benefits in terms of human gut biome diversity and maintenance. It’s also high in plant-based protein and prebiotic fiber, all of which can support a healthy and happy gastrointestinal system!
NYrture Natto, which we sell two varieties of–original, and turmeric natto for extra inflammation support–is also produced using live cultures and shipped refrigerated rather than frozen. Meaning that all of those benefits are even more potent. A single natto serving from NYrture’s natto contains 18% of your daily protein value, and 20% of your daily Iron value. NYrture is also home to the world’s only OU Kosher certified natto. Much to celebrate!
Natto is traditionally eaten with mustard, tamari sauce, and sliced green onion, but there are infinite ways to dress up a rice bowl with it! For my morning bowl today, I made use of all of the following, which can be obtained in one fun CN trip:
Cadia Short Grain Brown Rice (soon to appear on our shelves! In the meantime, check out the rest of our fantastic EDLP deals from Cadia.)
Everything except the fresh green onion! The prep time on this sort of rice bowl is extremely minimal: roughly 15 minutes to cook a cup of rice on the stovetop or in a rice cooker, and a few minutes more to fry up an egg in a pan with a dash of oil. I use a rice cooker at home which frees me up even more to do prep for the rest of the rice bowl at the same time. Natto and all other additions such as the pickled carrot, dulse flakes, seasoning, and Bachan’s Yuzu drizzle require no formal prep and can just be added in any amount according to your personal preference. (A single serving of natto is 3 tablespoons.) The sky is the limit; I’ve also tossed in broccoli, smoked salmon, or tinned fish (check out our amazing selection in stores!)
So in just under 20 minutes, you’ve got yourself a delicious, nutritious, hearty breakfast which is sure to start your day off right, and is surprisingly simple and fast to throw together even when you’re crunched for time.