Oatmeal

 Recipe From: Shae

Oh, Oatmeal!

First of all, I love the versatility of oats! You can grind it in a food processor to make oat flour, use oats in baking all sorts of desserts, use it as a breadcrumb substitute, among other things.  But this post is all about oatmeal for breakfast. Most days that is my go-to in the mornings. (I buy the stuff in the 25 pound bags at Winco). You can have the steel cut version as well.

To me, oatmeal cooked completely plain isn’t anything special or particularly delicious. It is all about the way it is made and the mix ins which allows for variety so you don’t get bored. Also, as you probably well know, eat your oatmeal fresh! Clumpy, leftover oatmeal just isn’t that appetizing.

In making the oatmeal, you need an element of creaminess: plant based milk in place of half of the water (I love oat or almond milk) OR use a diced or mashed banana. I usually do the latter, adding it in about halfway through cooking.**  You don’t want your banana under ripe (no green!) or over ripe (not too brown). You want it just right. I usually add some cinnamon as well.

**Recently I have been putting the oats and banana in with the cold water and allow it to come to a boil together instead of waiting til it boils to put it in. I have found that it not only cooks a lot faster, but it is also creamier.

Below are some of my favorite add-ins and pairings (Fresh is always best, but frozen will do just fine with some fruits). Keep some fresh on hand and keep your freezer stocked with a variety of fruit.

I will typically top any of these with a nut or seed:  walnuts, pecans, sliced almonds, flax seed, chia seed, pumpkin seed, hemp seed or almond butter (mix/melt it in).

  Fresh or frozen Blueberries (I just add these after I have served up my oatmeal and they help cool it down a little)

Fresh or frozen Blackberries

Fresh Raspberries

Fresh strawberries (For me, the frozen kind is not very good on oatmeal)

          Diced pear (only fresh, when in season, and perfectly ripe—not crunchy!)

      Fresh or frozen diced mango (add the frozen kind towards end of cooking) + unsweetened Coconut flakes + coconut extract (you can even use coconut milk as your creamy base if you’d like)

      Diced apple (I just add when done cooking) + raisins (optional)

      Fresh Peaches + Homemade Granola

      Frozen or fresh cherries + tiny splash of almond extract (I add these in while it is cooking) + Chocolate granola (optional)

      Chocolate Oatmeal 

     Pumpkin puree  + pumpkin spice + pecans

Comment with your favorite kind of oatmeal!