One of my staple foods is oatmeal as I like it for the fiber, substance, and the fact that it can act like a blank canvas and allow me to create different works of art.
So, here are four of my latest oatmeal concoctions of which two are more dessert-ish because sometimes I do eat oatmeal for dessert. Yeah, I'm outed! I'm one of those "lives outside the box" people who also likes to eat cereal for dinner and dessert.
To note: In all my oaty creations, I cook with rice milk because I have a milk allergy, and I like using a milk instead of plain water. You could easily exchange with cow milk, goat milk, soy, hemp, coconut, or almond. I wonder if oat milk in oats would cancel itself out :)
Toasty Sweet Pumpkin Pleasure
I had Fall on the brain. For this bowl, I started with a packet of Quaker Organic Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal and cooked it per the microwave instructions. While the oatmeal was cooking, I lightly toasted some pepitas (pumpkin seeds) for some protein and zinc. When oatmeal was done, I stirred in 1Tbsp of pumpkin butter, then topped with another dabble of pumpkin butter and the pepitas.
Crunchy Banana Walnut
I was going for the banana nut muffin angle with this one. Again, I used the Organic Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal. While the oatmeal was cooking, I took half a banana and mashed it in a bowl. I also lightly toasted some chopped walnuts. I love the taste of lightly toasted nuts because it brings out more of the nutty flavor and adds a little crunch. When the oatmeal was done I stirred in the mashed banana, and topped with the toasted walnuts and these Trader Joe's freeze dried unsweetened banana slices I had laying around for snacks. These banana chips are crunchy but start to get soggy once in the oatmeal so if you want the crunch you need to eat ASAP. You could also use plain dried banana chips as heat won't soften them. Crunchy, crunchy!
Snickerlicious
This was inspired by my favorite Halloween candy, Snickers. I started with a plain instant oatmeal and added about 3/4 Tbsp of agave nectar to slightly sweeten. Then topped with a swirl of organic caramel sauce and organic chocolate sauce, and tossed in some salted roasted peanuts. Oh yum!
Dulce De Cocoa
I got creative with what I had in the fridge. Again, started with a plain instant oatmeal and added about 3/4 Tbsp of agave nectar to slightly sweeten. I use agave nectar to sweeten because it has a lower glycemic index than cane sugar. When I use sugar, I use Whole Foods organic cane sugar. I topped the oatmeal with some Dulce De Leche thick yogurt, and then tossed on some crushed toffee chocolate. Easy and tasty for dessert!
So, what are some ways you like to enjoy oatmeal? Leave a comment on this post or the post "How To Add Some Nutritional Bling to Your Oatmeal" and you could win two boxes of the Quaker Organic Instant Oatmeal in Maple & Brown Sugar as I used in these creations.
You have until Thu 11/6 midnight PST to enter. Please use valid email, and indeed I will respect privacy and keep your email between you and Noshtopia until you give me permission otherwise. Three people will win. US residents only. I will announce the winners on Friday 11/7. So, start sharing your oaty favorites.
