Bowl of oats x3

Reason #267 why I love oatmeal so much: how quick it is to make.  Whether you make it in the microwave, add boiling hot water and let your oats sit for a few minutes, or make a bowl on your stovetop, no bowl takes more than a few minutes to make - even when you are fancying this bowl.

As mentioned in my last post about oatmeal, I have been eating a lot of oatmeal lately as that has been my pre-work out meal.  I seriously love this, especially because you can also sneak in a lot of protein before your work out as well.  The other day as I was doing my normal blog perusing I came across a post that really jumped out to me.  I have browsed Sonia's blog from The Healthy Foodie many times always marveling at the beautiful photographs that go along with her recipes, however I can't honestly say I've ever tried any.  This weekend however, I decided to give three recipes a try.  All oatmeal recipes of course.  The reason this post stuck out so much to me is because of the Blueberry Cobbler Oatmeal.  Greek yoghurt, protein powder, chia seeds, and almonds, that's a lot of protein in one bowl of oats, that didn't even include my smoothie afterward.

Yes, even the fanciest of oatmeal recipes only take a few minutes to assemble.  This one, I had a few different dishes going because you have to (well don't have to, but I assure you it's better this way) toast the almonds and additional oats to create a crumble.  You need to have a separate bowl for the "custard".  A small saucepan for the blueberry sauce and then a separate one for the oats itself.  Other than the extra dishes that would normally come with my regular bowl of oats that's all that really made time seem a little longer, however, I enjoyed an incredible cup of green tea while doing this, so it was okay.

This oatmeal was amazing.  The different layers of flavours was just impeccable, the presentation was absolutely beautiful, and the aroma, mmmm yum.  This is definitely one of my favourite oatmeal concoctions, I mean hello, it's dessert in a bowl for breakfast, while being very healthy and full of protein, no way your tastebuds (or your personal trainer) could tell you you're doing something wrong with this.  I definitely had a lot of energy for my work out, certainly was not full by the time I came home, however I needed to repair my muscles so I of course made myself a protein packed smoothie and gobbled it down nonetheless.  This is most definitely an oatmeal I will be enjoying over and over again, maybe with a raspberry sauce next time ;).

The tropical twist oatmeal was also very delightful, it had some of my all time favourite fruit, with one of my favourite nuts, and of course Greek yoghurt, how could you go wrong with this, especially during the cool winter months?  Loved, loved, loved.

Lastly the banana bread oatmeal, now hot dang.  It's been a loooonnnggg time since I've made/had any banana bread.  I never think to make banana bread since I throw bananas into everything, and if my bananas get really ripe, they go into my Ziploc bag in the freezer and then they get gobbled up within the same week on my smoothies.  When I saw the recipe on The Healthy Foodie for banana bread oatmeal I figured I would spice it up the way I would enjoy my banana bread.  This was definitely amazing, especially to wake up to and enjoy.  If you were to wake up and not know what was baking on the oven you would definitely pass it off as a joyous banana bread.  This was so insanely delightful, and I can just imagine the various things I can throw in and top off in other versions, yummm!

Blueberry Cobbler Oatmeal

Recipe slightly adapted from here

Ingredients:

Oatmeal

• 1/3 cup oats
• 1/3 cup soy milk (or other non-dairy milk)
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 ripe banana
• Dash of salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Blueberry Sauce

• 1/4 cup blueberries
• 3/4 tsp amaretto agave nectar
• 1/2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 1/2 tbsp water
• Big squirt of lemon juice

Crumble

• 1 tbsp slivered almonds
• 1/2 tbsp old fashion oats

“Custard”

• 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder 
• 1 tbsp plain Greek yogurt

Directions:

In a small saucepan add milk, water, salt, vanilla and oatmeal, once it starts to boil stir in your banana until all liquid is absorbed and oatmeal is nice and creamy.

Meanwhile, in a separate saucepan, cook blueberries, water, lemon juice, chia seeds and agave nectar over low heat, stirring occasionally, until blueberries start to “explode” and sauce thickens. You might want to swoosh the blueberries a little bit with your spoon to help break them up. Set aside when ready.

In a small non-stick pan, over medium heat, toast the sliced almonds and old fashion oats until golden and fragrant. Set aside.

In small mixing bowl, mix protein powder with plain yogurt until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

When all your components are ready, transfer to serving bowls, starting with oatmeal, then blueberry sauce, followed by custard and finally the crumble.


Tropical Twist Oatmeal

Ingredients:

• Same oatmeal components as above
• 3-4 strawberries, cut into little cubes
• 1/2 cup fresh mango cubes (you can use frozen if you don't have fresh)
• 1/4 cup pineapple cubes
• 2 tbsp low fat plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp crushed pecans, toasted

Directions:

Add fruits to your cooked oatmeal.  Stir gently until heated through and transfer to a serving bowl.

Garnish with plain yogurt and toasted pecans.

Warm Banana Bread

Ingredients:

• 4 dates, chopped
• 2 tbsp low fat plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp crushed walnuts, toasted
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• Maple syrup to drizzle
• 1 tsp hemp hearts

Directions:

Add the chopped dates to your oatmeal while it is cooking.  

Pour in cold milk and garnish with Greek yogurt and toasted walnuts.

Have you tried making any dessert-oatmeal bowls for breakfast?