Monday, October 08, 2012

{VeganMoFo} The Perfect Bowl of Oatmeal

Blueberry, Walnut, Cinnamon Oatmeal

I'm a sucker for a good bowl of oatmeal.  Always have been, always will be.

And although I do have a bit of nostalgia for the old days - when making "oatmeal" meant tearing open a packet of instant Quaker Oats (maple 'n' brown sugar, represent!) - I'm quite enamored with the weekend ritual of preparing oatmeal from scratch.  The slow-cooking, don't-walk-away-or-the-pan-will-overflow cadence of breakfast preparation kinda feels good.  In my soul.


For me, the perfect bowl of oatmeal begins with a can of quick-cooking steel cut oats from Trader Joe's.  Now, I know I said "from scratch" only two seconds ago, but quick steel cut oats exemplify the perfect balance of both speed and nutrition.  Yes, it's noble to spend 45 minutes cooking oatmeal in the morning, but the 'New York Times' and Union Square Greenmarket are waiting, people!

Raspberry Oatmeal

Recipe: The Perfect Bowl of Oatmeal
Serves: 2

1 1/2 c. water
1/2 c. Trader Joe's quick cook steel cut oats*
Toppings:
Fresh raspberries + a few glugs of vanilla soymilk
Fresh blueberries + walnuts + cinnamon + plain soymilk
Raisins + walnuts + cinnamon + a bit of plain soymilk
Bananas + pecans/walnuts + cinnamon + a splash of plain soymilk

1) In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil.
2) Add quick-cooking steel cut oats to pan, stir, & reduce heat to low.  Cover & cook for 5-7 mins., stirring regularly.
3) When done cooking, remove oatmeal from heat & allow to stand for 1 min. before serving/topping.
4) Serve oatmeal, adding selected toppings to the top of each bowl.
Optional: For added sweetness, stir in a bit of brown sugar, or drizzle some agave or maple syrup on top.

*Not all oats are the same (there's instant, quick-cooking, quick-cooking steel cut, steel cut, etc.), so be sure to check the directions for the oats you've got!

(Print, Email, or Text this Recipe)

Recipe: Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Oatmeal
Serves: 2

1 1/2 c. water
1/2 c. Trader Joe's quick cook steel cut oats*
1/4 c. raisins
1/8 tsp. vanilla extract
1 pinch nutmeg
1/2 Tbsp. brown sugar (or to taste)
1/4 c. walnuts
2 pinches ground cinnamon
1/4 c. vanilla soymilk

1) In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil.
2) Add quick-cooking steel cut oats & raisins to pan, stir, & reduce heat to low.  Cover & cook for 5-7 mins., stirring regularly.
2) When done cooking, remove pan from heat & add vanilla, nutmeg, & brown sugar to oatmeal.  Stir to combine.
3) Serve oatmeal, topping with soymilk, & sprinkling walnuts & cinnamon on top of each bowl.

*Not all oats are the same (there's instant, quick-cooking, quick-cooking steel cut, steel cut, etc.), so be sure to check the directions for the oats you've got!

(Print, Email, or Text this Recipe)

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Oatmeal

12 comments:

  1. I have never been a fan of cooked oatmeal childhood thing, but you made me drool!! It looks amazing I am a huge fan of oatmeal cookies so I'm thinking I might give these delicious bowls of goodness a try thanks for the drool!!

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    1. Thanks for your lovely comment! I hope you enjoy the Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Oatmeal. It's one of my favorites, & I'm hopeful that it can turn even the staunchest oatmeal hater into an oatmeal lover!

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  2. I've never seen oatmeal look as beautiful. These are works of art that look delicious! You've got my vote for most amazing pictures of stodgy old oatmeal. Amazing!

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    1. Oh, CH, you're always such a boost to my ego! :) However, I'm pretty sure you're just saying that so oatmeal will be on tap for breakfast this weekend...

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  3. I don't think there's any food in the world I love more than oatmeal. And I'm almost serious about that.

    It's infinitely customizable, cheap, filling, nutritious, and easy to make. I might just have to try your Oatmeal Raisin Cookie oatmeal for tomorrow morning's bowl.

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    1. So cool, I hope you give it a try! And I agree, oatmeal is one of those foods that sound weird to be so passionate about, but man, is it GOOD!

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  4. There's nothing that compares to a bowl of warm oatmeal in the fall, is there? Your bowls look amazing- definitely the perfect bowl. :-)

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    1. Thank you, Kristy! I love oatmeal when it's cold outside & the leaves are changing, too. Nothing's more perfect!

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  5. Hehe, never tried adding fruit to mine. Folks think oatmeal is so simple but we all have our own way of doing it! Here's mine, with chia and hempseed: http://cracktheplates.com/2012/03/two-breakfast-recipes/

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    1. It's funny - everyone DOES have their own oatmeal thing going on! :) I'm really excited to check out your recipe. Thanks so much!

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  6. Looks so good! I have instant maple brown sugar oatmeal for breakfast every weekday. Don't judge me. Haha I would love to try homemade oatmeal with real fruit and stuff in it. mmm

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    1. I could NEVER judge you for that! It's absolutely delicious (and really fast!), so I'm behind you 100%. :) Thanks for the comment - I hope you like the homemade stuff if you try it.

      Now I'm off to dream about the maple and brown sugar version... ;)

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Thanks for your comment - I love hearing from you!