Good morning…last week I looked at breakfasts around the world and discussed how many of them are really unhealthy choices …They are ok to eat now and again but not on a regular basis.
Today I am going to look at oats … a popular breakfast dish which is easy to make or can be made and left overnight ready for the morning…
In recent years oats have been dogged by reports that they contain chemicals/pesticides which are harmful to our health …Are there really pesticides in our oats…The short answer is Yes!
Are they harmful...That is the question…?
Glyphosates have been found in oat cereal, oatmeal, granola and snack bars…tests have shown that more than half contained levels higher than many groups of scientists believed they should have and which gave them concerns over children’s health.
Scary…as on the plus side oats have proven health benefits…they lower cholesterol, burn fat, contain lots of fibre so keep you fuller for longer and contain folate and potassium.
Many health and agriculture experts claim humans don,t absorb glyphosate in the same way as they do other chemicals like DDT.
However, the International Agency for Cancer Research classified Glyphosate as a “probable human carcinogen”
Scientists are also of the mind that just because government agencies quote legal limits to us…that legal is not the same as safe…
This month is National Organic Month…I think Oats are one of the products which we should consider buying Organic…
Yes, most organic produce has a higher price tag however many stores now have their own brand organic goods which are considerably better priced than brand names…Savvy shoppers look in the bulk aisles as often there are savings to be made there.
Coupons can be found in-store magazines, on their websites and on retailers web sites … everyone wants you to buy their brand …If you see it on offer and have the storage buy one or two extra packets…Oats stores well and can be used in many recipes…cookies, cereal bars and at least you know they don’t contain additives and lots of added sugars…I call that a win-win situation …
These are some of my favourite breakfast recipes…
Orange and vanilla oats with Citrus salsa
- 2 Oranges or 4 clementines
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 140g porridge oats
- 1 grapefruit, peeled, seeded and chopped…I use pomelo as grapefruit is not readily available here.
- A small handful of mint leaves
- 2 tbsp sunflower seeds
- 6 walnut halves, broken
- Natural yoghurt to serve (optional)
Peel the oranges, then finely chop 1 tbsp of the peel. Put the peel in a large bowl with the vanilla, oats and 800ml water. Cover and set aside to soak overnight.
To make the salsa, chop the oranges and mix in a bowl with the grapefruit and mint leaves. Cover and chill.
The next morning, tip the porridge oats into a pan and cook until bubbling and thick.
This recipe serves 4 ...for 2 just pour half of the porridge into two bowls and tip the remainder into a container ready to chill, top with half the salsa, seeds and nuts. Divide the other half of the salsa between the two bowls of porridge along with the yoghurt if using. Scatter with the remaining nuts and seeds. The leftover porridge can be reheated the next day with a splash of water. Top with the remaining salsa and yoghurt.
Leftover porridge… How about some pancakes?
- 150g cold leftover porridge
- 150g self-raising flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
- 2 large eggs
- 100ml milk
- 2 tsp vegetable or sunflower oil
- fruit, yoghurt and maple syrup or honey, to serve
Mix the porridge, flour, baking powder, banana, eggs and milk in a bowl. Heat the oil in a frying pan. Drop 2-3 tbsp of the porridge mixture into the pan and cook over medium heat until the underside is golden and bubbles are popping on the surface.
Flip over and cook for another few mins until cooked through, then keep warm in a low oven and repeat until you’ve used up all the batter. Serve with the fruit and yoghurt and top with a drizzle of the syrup or honey.
Enjoy!
Dairy-Free Oats…Serves 4
- 100g rolled porridge oats (not instant)
- 25g creamed coconut, chopped
- 200g frozen raspberries
- 125g pot coconut yoghurt
- a few mint leaves, to serve (optional)
I have added a link here for Amazon Creamed coconut just in case you cannot get creamed coconut in a block where you live although Asian stores should stock it. I also don’t get a commission just saying x
Tip the oats and creamed coconut into a large bowl, pour on 800ml cold water, cover and leave to soak overnight.
The next day, tip the contents of the bowl into a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 5 -10 mins until the oats are cooked. Add the raspberries to the pan with the yoghurt and allow to thaw and melt into the oats off the heat. For 2 servings…Reserve half for the next day and spoon the remainder into 2 bowls. Top each portion with mint leaves, if you like.
Enjoy!
I love oats and they can take any toppings…I am a fan of fruit compote with my porridge, Add some cinnamon to your porridge when cooking it and top with bananas and berries, cranberry and orange make a lovely compote, for a treat try maple squash, bacon and blueberries…Very nice x
How do you eat your oats?
About Carol Taylor:
Enjoying life in The Land Of Smiles I am having so much fun researching, finding new, authentic recipes both Thai and International to share with you. New recipes gleaned from those who I have met on my travels or are just passing through and stopped for a while. I hope you enjoy them.
I love shopping at the local markets, finding fresh, natural ingredients, new strange fruits and vegetable ones I have never seen or cooked with. I am generally the only European person and attract much attention and I love to try what I am offered and when I smile and say Aroy or Saab as it is here in the north I am met with much smiling.
Some of my recipes may not be in line with traditional ingredients and methods of cooking but are recipes I know and have become to love and maybe if you dare to try you will too. You will always get more than just a recipe from me as I love to research and find out what other properties the ingredients I use contain to improve our health and wellbeing.
Exciting for me hence the title of my blog, Retired No One Told Me! I am having a wonderful ride and don’t want to get off, so if you wish to follow me on my adventures, then welcome! I hope you enjoy the ride also and if it encourages you to take a step into the unknown or untried, you know you want to…….Then, I will be happy!
Have a great week, stay safe and be well xx
Retired? No one told me! 