Oatmeal Crazy: From Blah to Bomb

By the spoonful, oats have a lot going for them. The immune boosting super food is fiber-rich, full of omega-3 fatty acids, packed with potassium and believed to lower harmful cholesterol levels. Even with these benefits screaming at us to chow down on oats daily, at times our breakfast go-to can seem so blah. Follow your classic oatmeal recipe according to the package directions, but add some pizazz to the mix with these oat-tastic palate pleasers.  Our mouth is watering already.

Go Milk-Venturous

Calorie saving oatmeal is made with water, but you can still have a heart healthy dish by adding skim milk to your mix. Go beyond the cow and drastically impact the flavors of your hot breakfast by introducing soy or almond milk. Your taste buds will thank you later.

Go Tropical

Cook your oats in part coconut milk and part water then add the toppings of the tropics like banana, pineapple, pomegranate or mango. Top with macadamia nut butter or shredded coconuts.

Go Awake

For the sleepyhead, complement your java with a coffee inspired bowl of oats. Simply add a ¼ teaspoon of ground coffee or espresso to your milk mixture with coffee beans on top for crunch. Instant oatmeal. Instant wake up.

Go Seasonal

Who doesn’t love pumpkin? The holidays have passed, but pumpkin puree still sits on the grocery store shelves. Add a ¼ of puree and a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg to your milk mixture so you can enjoy the flavors of pumpkin season year round.

Go Sweet (but not boring)

There is more to sweetened oatmeal than brown sugar and maple syrup. Cook your oats in apple juice and water with a dash of cinnamon and top with fresh apple slices. A tablespoon of peanut butter (crunchy or not!) and a bit of jam is the perfect sweetened topper to your classic oats. Chocolate lovers stir in a couple of teaspoons of cocoa powder and finish up with a few chocolate chips. We won’t tell mom you are having candy for breakfast!

Go Savory

Who says oatmeal should stay in the sweet category?  If you are feeling bold try this “Sexed Up Savory Oatmeal” via photographer Penny De Los Santos’ blog Appetite that uses olive oil, sea salt, pepper and aged sharp cheddar. Challenge your palate by envisioning your classic oats as a risotto dish or pampered grits. Add some truffle salt and sautéed mushrooms or garlic for a creamy, inspired dish. Dice avocado and tomato, chopped turkey bacon and wilted arugula for an ode to a BLT. Oatmeal can be a breakfast classic or a dinner staple with a savory touch.

When better to embrace the hardy cereal grain than during National Oatmeal Month!

Here’s a Tip: The secret to the perfect bowl of oatmeal is to add egg whites. Mix your tempered milk with 1 egg white and slowly whisk together so the egg whites don’t solidify and the mixture stays creamy. Add your oats and cook for about 10 minutes. Enjoy!

Have you ever tried a new twist with your oats?

Photo 1 courtesy of becarella via Flickr (CC BY-SA 3.0) 

Photo 2 courtesy of alex27 via sxu.hu 

Photo 3 courtesy of S. Diddy via Flicker