Stovetop or microwave?
I recently tried oats cooked on the stove and wow, there really is a lot of difference. The oats are sooo much more creamy and chewy it's amazing, and it's also really good for adding superfoods, spices or fruit as you go (for example, if you add diced apple it'll cook better on the stove than if you chuck it in the microwave with your oats). The only problem is that it takes a bit longer, and also generates more dishes - that being said, if I have time I'll always choose stovetop!
Quick oats or whole oats?
Quick oats are literally just whole oats that have been chopped finer in order to cook faster, so there's no difference in nutritional value. I generally use quick oats simply because I don't want to spend all day on my breakfast, but using whole oats does add a significant amount of chewiness.
Milk or water?
Basically this debate all comes down to creaminess. Because I'm usually rushing in the mornings, I'll cook my oats in boiling water from the kettle and microwave on high for 1 and a half minutes, and I find this is enough for them to get fluffy. Unfortunately this doesn't make them as creamy as I like, so after cooking them I'll stir through about 1/3 of a cup of rice milk, which both cools them down so you can eat them faster and makes them more creamy. However on days I have more time, I'll cook them in just milk and microwave/cook on the stove for longer (I'm a sucker for creamy oatmeal!)
So with all of that for you to mull over, I'll give you my favourite recipe as well!
THE BASIC OATMEAL RECIPE
(Serves 1)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 cup liquid: boiling water or non-dairy milk (I like to use rice, oat, coconut or soy milk)
- An extra 1/3 cup of non-dairy milk if making RUSHED OATS
- Any toppings or add-ins you want to give your oatmeal some flavour
RUSHED OATS (Microwave and boiling water/milk method)
- Mix the oats, chia seeds and any dry add-ins in a bowl.
- Pour the boiling water or cold milk on top of the oats, add the liquid add-ins and stir.
- Cover and microwave for 1:30, checking at 30 second intervals. Sometimes the oats get too fluffy and start to rise above the bowl, so make sure to give them a stir before putting them back in to avoid them overflowing. (If using milk, simply microwave for 4 minutes instead)
- Take oats out of the microwave and mix through 1/3 cup non-dairy milk. (Omit this step if using milk in step 3)
- Top with your favourite toppings and enjoy!
- Mix the oats, chia seeds and any dry add-ins in a saucepan.
- Pour the milk and liquid add-ins into the saucepan, and turn the heat to medium-high and stir.
- Cook them for about 10 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed, stirring regularly to avoid sticking to the saucepan.
- Transfer the oats to a bowl and top with your favourite toppings. Enjoy!
I'll also give you some of my favourite oatmeal con:
- Apple pie: 1 diced apple (cooked with the oats) + 1 tsp cinnamon + 1/2 tsp nutmeg + 1/2 tsp ground ginger + 1 tsp sultanas + coconut sugar or maple syrup (can also substitute apple with pear)
- Caramel: 3 chopped dates + 2 tsp mesquite/lucuma + 1 tsp vanilla + coconut sugar (this is amazing with banana as well)
- Chai: 2 tsp cinnamon + 1/2 tsp ground ginger + 1/4 tsp ground clove + 1 tsp vanilla extract + coconut sugar (this also goes really well with banana, stewed apple or coconut)
- Chocolate: 2 tbsp cacao + banana/strawberry + coconut butter
- Cookie dough: 1 tsp vanilla + 1/2 tsp cinnamon + 2 tbsp cacao nibs/dark chocolate chips + maple syrup or coconut sugar (delicious topped with banana/coconut and nut butter)
- Nut butter and banana: 1 tsp cinnamon + top with banana + peanut/almond butter + maple syrup/honey/coconut sugar
Can't wait to see your recreations!
Lisa xxx