Sweet & Savory Oatmeals

I was never a big fan of oatmeal.  I couldn't see how people would be able to handle the gooey texture and drown it in butter and milk.  Then I decided to try Old Fashioned Oats and cook it to the texture that I prefer, more whole and less goo.

The way I do this is I only add half the amount of liquid it calls for and cook the oatmeal a little bit.  If it needs a little more liquid then I add it.  Most of the time I don't need more,  I add Extra Virgin Coconut Oil instead of butter.  It makes it taste incredible.  

The health benefits of Coconut Oil have been found to help normalize blood lipids and protect against damage to the liver by alcohol and other toxins.  It can play a role in preventing kidney and gall bladder diseases, and is associated with improved blood sugar and insulin control and therefore the prevention and management of diabetes.  coconut oil has antiviral, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. It's also thought to help strengthen mineral absorption for healthy teeth and bones, and can also help improve the condition and appearance of the scalp, hair and skin when ingested.

Today I diced up an organic apple (which by the way, tastes way more incredible than a regular one) and sauted it in a little bit of Coconut Oil.  Then I added some spices (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger and Himalayan Pink Sea Salt).  Toss that around for a second and then added the Old Fashioned Oats (I used Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Oats).  Added half the water it calls for on the package and let it cook down a bit.

Removed it from the heat, added some dried cherries and chopped pecans; then I added a touch of Coconut Oil to finish it off.  Well...I have to say this was the best SWEET oatmeal I've ever tasted.  If I would have had some maple syrup it would have tasted better good as well, but it was fine since the apples were incredibly sweet already, I didn't have to add any sugar.

Using Old Fashioned Oats and adding less liquid will keep the texture of the oats and not produce as much the of goo.

1 Tbsp Coconut Oil (start)

1 Cup Apple, Diced Large

1 Cup Old Fashioned Oats

1/2 Cup Water

Cinnamon

Nutmeg

Ginger

(Just a quick shake of flavor - or use Pumpkins Pie Spice)

A Few Dried Cherries

A Few Dried Pecans, Chopped

1 Tbsp Coconut Oil (finish)

I posted a recipe in November of 2010 on my Twist of Life Blog about a SAVORY Oatmeal using Mushrooms and Sundried Tomatoes.

Here's the Post:

This story was interesting - Kinda of funny.

November 2010 - I had a funny thing happen over Thanksgiving weekend when I took the kids down to the local Walgreen's to pick up something to drink. When we were paying for our drinks and I was asked by the cashier if I would like to donate to the Childhood Diabetes Foundation and if I did then I could select something off the table.  They had a table set up with a variety of baked goods. 

Now that might have enticed most people and they probably wouldn't make the connection but I couldn't believe they did that. All the items on the table were overloaded with sugar! It just didn't make any sense to offer sugar laden baked goods in exchange for a donation to help fund the fight against childhood diabetes! 

I was floored and made a comment to the cashier.  She made a big frown at me when I made the comment and then the other cashier burst out laughing.  Now I wasn't trying to be funny but merely trying to make a point. 

I had simply said "Are you kidding me? Don't you understand the reason behind childhood diabetes? Why would you offer a sugar fest of baked goods in exchange?" She didn't know how to answer that question. I had to explain to her that those foods were terrible choices in exchange for donations. She was mad and irritated. I think the baked goods were her idea. Oops...

I believe the reason we have so much of an issue with childhood diabetes is most people don't understand that eating the wrong foods, over processed and full of sugar is the number one reason we have an issue in the first place.

So this post is dedicated to the lady at the Walgreen's. Take your morning oatmeal and make it a savory dish. Think of your oats as any other grain. You can add a variety of sauteed vegetables and herbs. I used up some slow roasted tomatoes I had left over from the previous nights dinner and sauteed up some crimini mushrooms which are actually baby portabellos. I also added some fresh herbs and a drizzle of olive oil.  Make sure to season it with Himalayan pink sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper.

A great switch from sweet oatmeal and very satisfying! 

Now look at your oatmeal in a whole new way...

Stormy