This story is part of the 2018 Feel Good Food Plan, our two-week mind-body-belly plan for starting the year off right.
Oatmeal is one of the great “healthy” breakfasts for good reason: Its cheap, quick, and full of the nutrients you need to start the day off right. Unfortunately, oatmeal can also be super underwhelming. Nobody wants to eat the same thing every day, especially when its a bowl of sorta-gluey beige mush. Luckily, it doesnt have to be that way. With the right choice in cooking liquid, plenty of toppings, and a bit of technique, oatmeal can be straight-up dreamy. Here are some of the BA staffs favorite ways to make oatmeal live up to its fullest, most delicious, potential.
Go easy on the dates—theyre sweeter than youd think.Sautéed Apples + Cinnamon Butter + Toasted Walnuts
To make cinnamon butter, just mix in ¼ cup room-temperature butter, ¾ teaspoon cinnamon, a pinch salt, and 1 teaspoon maple syrup.Shaved White Chocolate + Macadamia Nuts + Dried Cranberries
Decidedly not for those averse to mixing savory and sweet—but totally delicious.Pumpkin Purée + Curry Paste
Double the coconut, double the fun, right? Be sure to shake the milk before opening it—the cream and water naturally separate.Sriracha + Fried Garlic
Toss the strawberries in sugar and let them sit for a few minutes before adding to the oats.Ground Cinnamon + Ground Nutmeg + Cashew Butter
A little tangy, a little salty, a little sweet. The heat of the oatmeal will partially melt the feta—which is a very good thing.Crumbled Sausage Patty + Toasted Fennel Seeds + Sautéed Onion
Crush the seeds with a mortar and pestle or spice grinder if you have the time. Skip this step if youre lazy.Ricotta Cheese + Pumpkinseed Oil + 1-2 Sliced Dried Figs
Fresh fruit: berries, bananas, apples, peaches, mango, or pears. Spices: cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or nutmeg. Natural sweeteners: a dash of maple syrup or honey. Unsweetened or lightly sweetened chocolate: shaved dark chocolate (with a cocoa content of 70% or more)
The Sustainable Food Center here in Austin sponsors a 6 week cooking program called The Happy Kitchen. Im one of the teachers, and next week is my first class. The topic is grains, so weve decided to make their very basic oatmeal recipe. (They have a cookbook. The recipes are very straightforward, and all recipes have to be seasonal, healthy and inexpensive.) I want to demonstrate that you can make food in a basic way, but then make it more interesting by putting a personal touch on it. So, community: what are your favorite ways to gussy up a bowl of oatmeal? (Remember: seasonal (no berries; its winter), healthy (no bacon; sorry), and inexpensive. Thanks for your help!
Go easy on the dates—theyre sweeter than youd think.Sautéed Apples + Cinnamon Butter + Toasted Walnuts
Toss the strawberries in sugar and let them sit for a few minutes before adding to the oats.Ground Cinnamon + Ground Nutmeg + Cashew Butter
This story is part of the 2018 Feel Good Food Plan, our two-week mind-body-belly plan for starting the year off right.
Crush the seeds with a mortar and pestle or spice grinder if you have the time. Skip this step if youre lazy.Ricotta Cheese + Pumpkinseed Oil + 1-2 Sliced Dried Figs
Oatmeal is one of the great “healthy” breakfasts for good reason: Its cheap, quick, and full of the nutrients you need to start the day off right. Unfortunately, oatmeal can also be super underwhelming. Nobody wants to eat the same thing every day, especially when its a bowl of sorta-gluey beige mush. Luckily, it doesnt have to be that way. With the right choice in cooking liquid, plenty of toppings, and a bit of technique, oatmeal can be straight-up dreamy. Here are some of the BA staffs favorite ways to make oatmeal live up to its fullest, most delicious, potential.
How To Upgrade Your Oatmeal
FAQ
What can I add to plain oatmeal?
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