Tuesday, March 25, 2008

oat MEALS

Oatmeal: usually a breakfast food, but good any time of day. Sometimes, to make oats a meal, I find myself looking for fun and healthy "mix-ins." The following are recipes I've invented along the way. See OATMEAL for more information on oat power!

Types listed in the recipes below:

-Instant – fine in a pinch. The packets are great for travel (I’ve seen many people use the coffee makers provided in hotel rooms for quick prep). processed like old-fashioned oats, except they are cut finely before rolling. Usually packed with added sugar!

-Old fashion oats – a step up nutritionally. Also, have a flatter shape that is the result of their being steamed and then rolled.

-Steel cut oats - Steel-Cut Oats are whole grain groats (the inner portion of the oat kernel) which have been cut into only two or three pieces. They are golden in color and resemble mini rice particles. How are they different from Rolled Oats? Rolled oats are flake oats that have been steamed, rolled, re-steamed and toasted. Due to all of this additional processing they have lost some of their natural taste, goodness and texture.
*cooking tips for steel cut oats: if you have time, the best way to prepare is stovetop or croc pot. However, if you’re like me… cooking usually requires a microwave. So, here you go.
*Microwave - Mix 1/2 cup of steel cut oats with 2 cups of water in an 8 cup bowl (the size of the bowl is important as it must be large enough to allow the oats to bubble up without spilling over). Seal the bowl with plastic wrap and run at full power for 5 minutes. Stir and finish cooking for another 5 minutes (since microwaves vary in size and power, cooking times may need to be adjusted for different models).

-Grain Cereal (see Bob’s Red Mill): They have 2 versions.
*10-Grain Cereal - made from stone ground high protein hard red wheat, rye, triticale, oat bran, oats, corn, barley, soy beans, brown rice, millet, and flaxseed.
*7-Grain Cereal - milled and blended from freshly ground whole grain high protein hard red wheat, rye, oats, triticale, barley, brown rice, oat bran, flaxseed.

Some ways I like to enjoy my oats:

Reece’s (great for recovery!)
Old fashion oats, a little grain cereal (mix, add water, and microwave)… then add: milled flax seed; a spoonful of natural peanut butter; ½ packet of Clif Recovery Hot Chocolate Mix

PB and Banana
Old fashion oats, a little grain cereal (mix, add water, and microwave)… then add: milled flax seed; a spoonful of natural peanut butter; and sliced banana

Tree Hugger
Steel Cut style oatmeal; walnuts; mixed dried fruit; honey

Blueberry Muffin
Steel Cut style oatmeal; blueberries (fresh, frozen, or dried); sliced almonds; a little brown sugar; splash of milk

Vanilla Almond
Oatmeal (any way you prefer); a few drops of vanilla extract (or a vanilla bean GU); sliced almonds; splash of milk; maybe some dried cranberries

Traditional
Oatmeal (pick a version); raisins; brown sugar; splash of milk

Crunchy
Old fashion oats, a little grain cereal (mix, add water, and microwave)… then add: crunchy cereal of choice (I like Kashi GoLean Crunch); honey; brown sugar or cinnamon; splash of milk

List of fun mix-ins:
- your favorite gu or gel
- hot cocoa powder (see Clif Bar Recovery Hot Chocolate)
- milled flax seed
- natural peanut butter
- honey
- cinnamon
- fresh, frozen, or dried fruit
- nuts
- milk
- dry cereal

7 comments:

Mendy said...

I know oatmeal is good for ya, but I've always disliked it. Now that you mention Reeces with it. hmmmm....

Hubby likes oatmeal a lot.

Thanks for the advice the other day! I'm gonna try that tomorrow in my run!

Sally said...

Dad and I thought Sarah had all the culinary abilities. We're so pleased you're developing your own style in the kitchen! And you know how we love oatmeal. I'm off to by some steel-cut oats at the store. Love you, Mom

Ashley said...

it's true, Sarah might be more (ok, WAY more) skilled in the kitchen. But, oatmeal is an art form. My specialty, if you will. Other things I can cook include: PB&J, pasta, pancakes, and fruit salad (Hey Mom, I got that recipe from you!)

David said...

Yeah, oatmeal is some awesome power food. I try hard to ensure I eat it before a long training day or race. I like to avoid the packaged and flavored types, mostly because I'm not sure what kind of crud is in there. I also like the Clif bars with lots of oats in them, or the honey wheat bagels with oats on top. Lots of ways to sneak them in the diet.

Thanks for the recipes! I like raisins and honey with a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg at work.

Anonymous said...

I eat oatmeal everyday! I love it...and, I even can race on it. I prefer currants in my oatmeal on race days, but will add the other lovely stuff too. Try blueberry honey...that is GOOD...and I like good ol Peanut butter in there. But, I mean, how can you go wrong? :) Hee hee thanks! JenH.

Anonymous said...

mmmm you should invite us over one morning to eat Oatmeal after our pitiful 4 miles!!!

I want some of these recipes

Marit C-L said...

Again - one of MANY reasons you are my SC Soul Sister. Tomorrow morning I get to have my first "real" bowl of oatmeal back home in Pensacola. And I can't wait. I'll have mine with chopped walnutes, blackberries, cinnamon, and a little brown sugar. Yum!