An ode to oats…

Ok so if you were going to a deserted island and could take one food, what would it be? Difficult question right!  For me it would easily be oats.  I am obsessed with the stuff and could easily live off it for the rest of my life.  They are probably the reason why the word ‘delicious’ was even invented.  Not only that, they are full of health benefits (low GI, reduce blood cholesterol, help you lose weight to name a few)  

Perhaps I was a horse in another lifetime.  At least that would expect why I really love oats.  Every morning without fail means a bowl of oats for me.  I just love the nutty flavour and the chewy texture.  Before you hit the snooze button on me, my bowl of oats are anything but boring.  In fact, along with my aim to eat new/different lunches & dinners this week, I’ve also come up with ways to spice up my oats (with the key spice being cinnamon naturally).  Here’s what I’ve gotten so far: 

  • Baked banana oatmeal (see “My Recipes”)
    • It also tastes amazing if you replace the bananas with thinly sliced apples.  I’m thinking my next batch will involve grated carrots (before you make a face, carrot cake also contains grated carrot)
  • Warm banana, pear and cinnamon oatmeal
  • Peanut butter & raisin ‘cookie’ oatmeal

I just love it, especially when it’s a steaming bowl full…the stuff will literally stick to your bones for ages.  That’s not to say that they aren’t as yummy (or sometimes yummier, depending on my mood) when they’re cold.  Yes, oats are conventionally eaten hot but surely sticking to the rules can get boring. Go on, be a rebel:

  • Overnight oats
    • There are SO many different recipes but here’s what I do: 30g oats and 10g almonds mixed with a chopped apple/banana, 200 ml of soy milk and Splenda.  Leave it overnight in the fridge.  In the morning, grab a spoon and dig in.  The oats go really soft and creamy and the meal itself tastes like muesli…a much healthier one though
  • Swiss bircher (See “My Recipes”)

As I seem to be on a mission to ‘pimp my oats’, I’m sure oatmeal pancakes will feature on my menu this weekend.  I know I sound like a mad scientist trying to come up with various concoctions but at least the outcome is worth it.  So there you have it- I love soy milk, I love oats…put the 2 together and you’ve got yourself a match made in heaven.

 PS this is just talking about breakfast, you don’t even want to get me started on ways to utilise oats in lunch and dinner recipes.  Versatile or what??

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