GUIDE: The Perfect Oatmeal

I could eat oatmeal all the time. Even several times a day, in winter, in summer, with any spices and any kind of fruit on the top. I don't eat the instant from a package anymore, because the half of the amount was composed of sugar and the other half was oats with few little pieces of dried fruit or nuts. I can't eat it anymore not only because of the composition but also because of the fact that I would have to eat several packages to feel full. Since I started eating healthier I eat much more. Which is a bit problem sometimes because when I crave something really sweet and really unhealthy I eat a lot of it too :D

But let's come back to the oats! In this post I'd like to share with you my "guide" to the perfect breakfast oatmeal, that you can change and spice by your own ideas :)

 

1. OATS

This post is mainly about oatmeal, but you can try also other grains in your breakfast porridge, for example rice, quinoa, buckwheat, millet, bulgur ... and others. It depends on you how much grains you'll use. I usually make my oatmeal with 40-50g quick oats and I'm full untill lunchtime. If I add some fruit to the "inside" of the porridhe, I reduce it a bit. I depends on your diet plan, how many meals a day you eat and also if you workout or you're inactive all day long. People who do some intense exercise (like for example crossfit) or Plant-Based Vegans (according to the youtube videos) eat about 100g oats. On the other side if you're not used to eat breakfast, 35g can be satisfying because for "non-foodies" the oatmeal is very filling.

2. LIQUID

The next step is the liquid in which you're gonna cook the oats. You can use cow, goat milk, plant-based milk (coconut, soy, almond, oat milk ..), coconut water, fruit juice (I tried homemade apple juice and it tasted awesome) or just water. You can add as much liquid as you want - if you want your porridge to be thick, then reduce the liquid and if you want it thinner than add some more. So unexpected! :D

3. SPICE & SWEETENER

Now let's look at the spices and sweeteners. You can't spoil anything with vanilla, cocoa powder and typical "fall" combination: cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger. Also I saw maca powder in a lot of recipes but I haven't tried it yet.

For sweetening I usually use honey, maple syrup or dates syrup. You can use rice or agave syrup, stevia, coconut or canned sugar too.

4. SPECIAL INGREDIENTS

You can decorate but also cook your oats with any type of fruit and nuts. I can recommend oatmeal with cooked carrot, apple, pear, banana or berries. From the more original variations you can try to add coffee, matcha tea or pumpkin puree. 

I almost always add some chia seeds (to make it thicker) and some sunflower/hemp seeds.

5. METHOD

You can choose from several methods of preparing the oatmeal, I've already tried three of them:

1. Pour your liquids to the pot and when it starts to boil, add the oats. Stir and add the other ingredients.
2. Get the mixture ready in the evening and then put it into the fridge. The oats (and chia seeds) will soak up the liquid and the oatmeal will be thicker. In the morning (you can add some more liquid) cook it for about 5 minutes and it will be done.
3. The last method is overnight oatmeal - you just prepare it the same way as in the previous method and you don't cook it in the morning but eat it cold.

6. FRUIT & CHEAT

You have to decorate your oatmeal properly! Add some fruit, nuts, seeds and some nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew ..) and don't forget about something sweet - and a bit unhealthy! If you add some "cheat" to your healthy meal, you won't crave other junk food so much. I always add some dark chocolate that perfectly melt on the top of the hot oatmeal. Sometimes I also add some biscuit, Nutella, Lotus cream or something like that :)

... BON APETIT!