By Chef Linda
Who ever said oatmeal was boring? Sure, maybe you've been disappointed by a gluey, gray bowl of oatmeal at some point in your life, but done right, oatmeal can be the breakfast of champions. Think of it as a blank – but tasty – canvas! A creamy, dreamy backdrop for all the goodness your body and soul need to start the day. For a quick Oatmeal Power Bowl, follow these tips:
- Start with unflavored, rolled oats (not the instant stuff in a bag that's often loaded with unnecessary sugar). Yes, you can use steel cut oats, but they take longer to cook.
- Use the ratio of 3/4 cup water to 1/2 cup oats. I find that boiling the oat in milk makes it too heavy. Adding a nice splash of milk later adds that extra swirl of creaminess.
- Boil water with a nice pinch of salt. No salt = no taste.
- Add oats to boiling water and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Flavor! When water has been absorbed, remove pot from heat. Add a teaspoon of vanilla, a good dash of cinnamon or nutmeg, a healthy drizzle of real maple syrup, and a big glug of non-dairy milk (I make nut milk and use that).
- Power up. Spoon oatmeal into a bowl and add your favorite toppings. Diced banana and apple, chopped nuts, ground flaxseed, berries, dried fruit, hemp or chia seeds, and maybe – just maybe – a spoonful of coconut sugar or regular brown sugar.
A breakfast fit for a king that can be made literally, in just minutes. Who can have a bad day when they start it off with a warm belly full of outrageously delicious and nutritious oatmeal? Use the recipe below to create the bowl pictured here.
Ingredients
2 cups old fashioned oats (use gluten-free if desired)
3 cups water
Pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
Drizzle of maple syrup
½ cup non-dairy milk
1 banana, diced
1 apple, diced
2 tbsp ground flaxseed
2 tbsp chopped nuts
2 tbsp hemp seeds
1 tsp coconut sugar
Directions
1Bring water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt, then add oats. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until all the water has been absorbed. Remove pot from heat. Add vanilla and cinnamon and stir. Spoon into bowls and add your favorite toppings.
Oatmeal Power Bowl
DifficultySuper EasyCook Time5 mins
YIELDS
2 to 4 servings
INGREDIENTS
2 cups old fashioned oats (use gluten-free if desired)
3 cups water
Pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
Drizzle of maple syrup
½ cup non-dairy milk
1 banana, diced
1 apple, diced
2 tbsp ground flaxseed
2 tbsp chopped nuts
2 tbsp hemp seeds
1 tsp coconut sugar
DIRECTIONS
1Bring water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt, then add oats. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until all the water has been absorbed. Remove pot from heat. Add vanilla and cinnamon and stir. Spoon into bowls and add your favorite toppings.
