That’s right, I said indulgent and oatmeal in the same sentence! Do memories of childhood lumpy porridge make you shudder? It’s time to forgive oatmeal its past lumpy plain-ness and add this nutritional powerhouse to your cupboard.
Packed full of fibre, phosphate, selenium, and low glycemic index carbs. The soluble, viscous fibre in oats has been shown to lower bad cholesterol and help moderate blood sugars. Both of these functions are important for long term health and avoiding unwanted weight gain.
Warm and delicious are just the bonuses- trust me, neither of these recipes lasted long enough for me to take a picture of (hence the stock google searched oatmeal shot…).
Don’t skip the banana! In the pumpkin spice recipe you barely taste it, but it does add sweetness without having to add a bunch of sugar and provides potassium.
So give oatmeal a chance with one of these two recipes:
Creamy Coconut Banana Oats
1.5 cups water
1 cup light coconut milk
1 cup rolled oats
1-2 bananas, broken in to chunks (no fancy chopping here)
1-2 tsp brown sugar or to taste (optional)
Bring your liquids up to a light boil, add your rolled oats.
Turn the heat down until it is simmering gently, let simmer for 5 minutes.
Add your banana and sugar (if using), and continue to gently simmer over medium low heat for another 5 minutes, or until it reaches a nice thick (but not totally mushy ) consistency. Use your spatula to break up the now soft banana by pressing them against the side of the pot while stirring.
Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Maple – Pumpkin Spice Porridge
2.5 cups water (or 1.5 cups water and 1 cup skim milk for a creamier taste)
1 cup rolled oats
1 banana, broken in to chunks
1 tsp pumpkin spice (easy peasy!)
2 tsp maple syrup
Handful of dried cranberries or raisins (optional)
Follow the directions as for the coconut-banana oatmeal, adding your banana and spices half way through the cooking time. If using, add the dried cranberries or raisins at the end so they soften up but don’t go too mushy.
Both recipes make 4 standard portions, in our house this serves two people with a little bit leftover for a snack later.
