Popular Porridges
Category Archives: Stove Top
Loaded Banana Oatmeal
Do you ever have trouble deciding which kind of oatmeal to make in the morning because you kind of just want everything??
If so, this one’s for YOU. It’s like an Everything Bagel, without the garlic.
Normally, when we hear the word “loaded,” we think of heart attacks like loaded chili or loaded baked potatoes, which usually feature bacon, sour cream, and junk food like “Funyuns.” No, thanks.
THIS loaded concoction can be as healthy (or unhealthy) as you like. For a healthier route, look for toppings like fresh fruit, dried fruit, peanut butter, puffed rice, any type of yogurt, nuts, raw chia or hemp seed, banana butter, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, shredded coconut, granola, or more sliced banana. You could also add maple syrup or honey on top.
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POSTED IN: almond, apples, berries, blueberries, chocolate, coconut, dried fruit, jams and jellies, kiwi, nuts, PB and J, peanut butter, pears, pineapple, strawberries
POSTED IN: almond, apples, berries, blueberries, chocolate, coconut, dried fruit, jams and jellies, kiwi, nuts, PB and J, peanut butter, pears, pineapple, strawberries
Pumpkin Banana Oatmeal
I think my internal calendar is confused…
Lately, I’ve been going through a pumpkin phase. It’s not very summer-ish of me, but I can’t stop making oatmeal with pumpkin! I just find something so warm, cozy, and comforting about pumpkin. It reminds me of cool autumn days, light sweaters, football games, and trees ablaze with orange and red leaves. Favorite season? Yep.
Orange Almond Poppy Seed Oatmeal
Eating is personal…especially if you follow a particular diet like I do. The ingredients I choose and the meals I create feel like an extension of myself. I would even go so far as to say that my kitchen is almost like my diary; when friends come over and step into my kitchen–or worse, see inside my refrigerator–I feel exposed and self-conscious. Will they judge me for drinking almond milk? Or for buying organic spinach? And then there’s the flax and chia seed in the cupboards…Does anyone else feel this way? Or is that just me?
Anyway, the point is, my kitchen is my comfort zone. I never realize how truly “at home” I feel in that space until I have to cook in someone else’s kitchen. For example, my whole world is flipped upside down when I visit my parents. I spend my mornings in a panic: where’s the almond milk?! Where’s the natural peanut butter??? Where’s my EARTH BALANCE?!! Oh, the horror!
But that didn’t stop me from making this beauty. Unfortunately, I had to make it using water. Gag. I don’t understand how people can make oatmeal with water. It just makes such a sad bowl of porridge…
I overcame that, though. No flax…no coconut oil…no almond milk…no problem! I’m a teacher; I’m trained in creativity and flexibility. Even without my most beloved ingredients, I managed to whip up this bright and lively creation. Sha-blam!
Cajun-Spiced Oatmeal with Red Pepper, Black Beans, and Spinach
My mouth is on fire from this one!
To tell the truth, I don’t know much about Cajun cuisine. It’s not exactly a cuisine that Midwesterners ever experience, sadly (we fear cayenne pepper), and it’s not the most vegetarian-friendly cuisine, either. However, I recently discovered Cajun seasoning, and I love it. I made these awesome crunchy Cajun tofu sticks once, and they were so great . . .
Strawberry Shortcake Oatmeal
My kitchen tends to be a veganized zone (as long as you don’t count my brother’s groceries! The cheddar slices and turkey are his, I promise!), so it’s not surprising that the majority of my oatmeal recipes follow suit. In general, they use nondairy milks and no eggs, and I only use honey from time to time, usually as an optional topping (like in my favorite grapefruit oatmeal). In other words, if they are not vegan, they can easily be made vegan.
Except this one. And I apologize for that. (UPDATE: Psst….here’s a vegan version!)
This recipe is unique in that the bulk of the flavor is happening above the oatmeal, instead of within it. Obviously, many fellow oatmeal lovers have been doing this for ages, but it was my first time. 🙂
I created a rather neutral-flavored oatmeal, which I found enjoyable to balance out the tartness of the strawberries and yogurt. However, if you try this out, you may find it necessary to add more honey to the oatmeal itself, or even to stir in some of the yogurt so the flavor is more balanced throughout the bowl. It’s your breakfast–do what you want! 😉
Gingerbread Latte Oatmeal
Who says gingerbread lattes are only for wintertime?
It hit me like a jar of coconut oil–latte oatmeals! Coffee oatmeals! Mocha oatmeals! This recipe for gingerbread latte oatmeal is actually just ONE of DOZENS of ideas I have using coffee as the liquid base. I am so excited to share with you all my ideas! I seriously cannot post fast enough.
Raspberry Lemonade Oatmeal
I will never, ever, ever think that frozen fruit compares to fresh fruit, especially when it comes to oatmeal. However, I like to always keep some on hand because you never know when it will come in handy.
Like today, for instance. I’m actually jetting off to visit a friend across the country for the week (post-graduation present to myself), so the last thing I should do right now is go to the grocery store and stock up on produce. Instead, I’m trying to finish up all the food that I have (or freeze it) so that I don’t come back to moldy bread and rotten berries.
I always, always, have sliced bananas stocked in the freezer, but sometimes I keep a supply of blueberries or raspberries in there as well (but never strawberries. Frozen strawberries are the worst). Today, with no other fresh fruit available to me, I was able to grab that bag of raspberries and make a delicious (and deliciously pink) bowl of oatmeal.
Lemon Poppy Seed Oatmeal (2 ways)
If you can believe it, I didn’t try lemon poppy seed until I got to college. In my depression/identity crisis, I basically ate my feelings, so I made frequent trips to the on-campus eateries throughout the day. One of the treats I became addicted to was the lemon poppy seed bread. It was dense, chilled, and super sweet.
When I started eating oatmeal the following year, I initially set out to recreate dessert recipes. I tried banana bread, carrot cake, cheesecake, french toast, and chocolate chip. Basically, oatmeal was my attempt to make dieting suck less (before I discovered whole foods).
Variations on PB Oatmeal
Considering my love for peanut butter, it’s no surprise that it frequently finds its way into my oatmeal! I was editing my 3 Basic Oatmeal Recipes post this morning, and I was baffled at how to display all the possibilities for peanut butter oatmeal without it being cluttered and confusing. Finally, I realized it deserved its own page. Think of all the variations I’ve created!
Here is a list of possible variations for my basic peanut butter oatmeal:
Chunky vs. Creamy:
The most obvious variation is to experiment with both chunky and creamy nut butters. I normally buy creamy PB, but chunky PB is exceptional in oatmeal! Give it a shot!
Peanut Butter & Banana:
Add a mashed banana (or half of one) after adding the oats, OR add banana butter when serving.
PB&J:
Stir in jam or jelly while the oatmeal is cooking OR drizzle/whirl it into the top of the oatmeal when serving. You could also make it with banana or apple.
PB2:
Whisk in 2 tbsp of PB2 before your liquid begins to boil for an extra flavor boost.
Honey-Nut:
Drizzle honey generously when serving. You could also add apples!
Not Peanut Butter:
Try using almond, cashew, or any other nut butter in place of the peanut butter.
Chocolate Peanut Butter:
Use a chocolate PB (like this one, or even something like Nutella), OR add 1-2 tbsp cocoa powder in place of the cinnamon.
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POSTED IN: 5 ingredients or less, almond, bananas, chocolate, jams and jellies, nuts, PB and J, peanut butter
POSTED IN: 5 ingredients or less, almond, bananas, chocolate, jams and jellies, nuts, PB and J, peanut butter
Fruity Tea-Steeped Oatmeal with Kiwi
I’m extremely picky about my teas. If it’s weak and boring, get it out of my sight. However, if it’s too strong and the flavors are super intense, I’m not a fan of that, either.
This makes purchasing new teas extremely risky. They come in packs of twenty, so if I end up not liking it–too bad! I still have nineteen more. Luckily, I’ve developed ways to use up the teas I don’t like.
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