6 Oatmeal Recipe Upgrades You Have to Try
A warm bowl of oatmeal might just be the perfect breakfast. Full of soluble fiber and low in calories, oatmeal carries a label approved by the FDA that it may reduce the risk of heart disease when combined with a low-fat diet. It’s inexpensive to buy, and quick and easy to make. But if you’re just adding the same old maple syrup or nuts to the top every morning, you might become a little bored. Perk up your morning meal with these gourmet oatmeal recipe ideas.
First, start by cooking your oatmeal. Always purchase plain oatmeal to avoid the excess sugars and additives in the pre-sweetened packets. You can also find products that also contain quinoa flakes, and those work very well with these oatmeal recipe twists. Add more or less liquid, depending on your preference for lumpy or porridge-like oatmeal.
Old-Fashioned Oats: Bring ¾ cup water (or milk) to a boil in a medium saucepan, and then add ½ cup old-fashioned oats and a dash of salt. Reduce heat and simmer for five minutes, or until desired consistency.
Now you’re ready for the fun part of the oatmeal recipe:
1. Lemon Raspberry Mascarpone: Stir in 1 teaspoon honey and 1 tablespoon lemon curd, and then top with ¼ cup fresh raspberries, 1 teaspoon of mascarpone cheese, and 2 teaspoons of sliced almonds.
2. Chocolate Banana Nut Butter: Slice half of a large banana. Mash half the slices and stir them into your oatmeal, along with 2 teaspoons of brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of your favorite nut butter. Top with the remaining banana slices and 1 tablespoon of shaved dark chocolate or chocolate chips.
3. Fruit with a Kick: Stir in ½ cup of your favorite fresh fruit or berries. Chunks of orange, blackberries, or strawberries work well. Add 1 teaspoon maple syrup, 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, and a dash of cayenne. Stir well and top with a sprinkling of chopped pecans.
4. Pistachio, Fig & Yogurt: Stir in 1 teaspoon honey and 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice. Top with 2 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon chopped pistachios, and one fresh fig (sliced). Drizzle the top with honey. You can also use dried figs if you prefer.
5. Tropical Delight: Stir in 1 teaspoon agave syrup, 1/3 fresh banana (mashed up), and ¼ cup fresh pineapple (or jarred if you must). Top with 2 tablespoons of toasted coconut, and 1 tablespoon of sliced almonds.
6. Chai Spiced Apple: Sauté half of an apple, thinly sliced, in a lightly oiled pan over medium heat for three minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon of maple syrup, and cook for two more minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk, 1/8 teaspoon cardamom, 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon allspice, 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger and 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract.
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Photo by: Low Fat Chick
