Oatmeal

My preference - a dollop of oatmeal in the center, nuts sprinkled on top, surrounded by lots of fruit



Toppings:

  • NUTS - walnuts, almonds, or pecans - toasted is extra good! 
  • BERRIES - especially blueberries and strawberries 
  • OTHER FRUITS - apples, mango, bananas, kiwi, pineapple... 
  • DATES - Even though dates are about eighty percent sugar by weight, this whole food has a low glycemic index and offers a variety of health benefits. See more at Nutrition Facts
  • cinnamon 

Oatmeal in the Rice Cooker

Note: This is my preferred method of cooking oatmeal.  I don't have to watch it. It comes out just right each time.  When it finishes, the cooker keeps it on warm until I'm ready to eat.

Unfortunately, I no longer know the measurements on these.  I scoop up a little of this and a little of that, eyeballing everything.
  • old fashioned oats
  • steel cut oats
  • quinoa   
  • Extras - chia & hemp seeds 
  • ground flax 
  • cinnamon 
  • one cut up date for sweetness
  • liquid - water, nut milk or combination - I usually just use water

Set rice cooker to QUICK setting. It takes 39 minutes.


Timesaving Tip

I pre-measure and batch all the ingredients except water in pint sized ball jars.  I usually put together a week's worth at a time - 7 jars.  This makes it easy each morning and also is great for traveling.


Oatmeal in the Instant Pot

This makes 2 servings!

  • 1-1/2 cups old fashioned oats (2 cups was too much for 2 people!) 
  • 3 cups liquid - water, nut milk or combination 
  • 1 tablespoon flaxseed 
  • More options: chia seeds, cinnamon, vanilla, 

For steel cut oats - 3 cups liquid to 1 cup oats (less processed needs more liquid to soften the grain)

For rolled oats - 2 cups liquid to 1 cup oats (flatter surface needs less liquid to soften the grain)


Insert steamer rack inside inner pot of Instant Pot. Add in 1 cup of water to inner pot. 
 
Inside a 7 cup heat safe bowl, mix together the oats, 1 cup water, dairy and flax seed. 
 
Place bowl on top of steaming rack and put lid on Instant pot. 
 
Set Valve to "sealed" and set manual or time to 8 minutes on high pressure. One recipe had 6 minutes.
Allow to naturally release for 5 minutes before carefully releasing any addtional steam by using a wooden spoon to turn valve to vent. 
 
Remove bowl carefully from pressure cooker and then serve with desired toppings or allow to cool and store in fridge to reheat as needed.






Variations
Source: Plantbaseddr

Tahini and Date Oatmeal


  • 1/3-1/2 cup rolled or quick oats
  • 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp tahini (I used @soomfoods Tahini because it’s delicious)
  • 1-2 medjool dates, diced
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 banana, sliced up
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk 

.
Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and stir while bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow oats to thicken while stirring about 3 minutes, then remove from the stove top. Top as desired.

Photo is topped with mango, gooseberries, blueberries and pepitas.❤️


 MORE Ideas 

  • Vanilla Maple: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter: 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 1 tablespoons peanut butter,  and 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup.
  • Almond Joy: use coconut milk as your dairy or top cooked oatmeal with a bit of coconut milk before serving and top with mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut and toasted almonds
  • Pumpkin Pie: mix in 2-3 tablespoons pumpkin puree, 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon, nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger.
  • Raisin Nut: top oatmeal with a dash of cinnamon and 1-2 tablespoons each of raisins and chopped walnuts.
  • Apple Pie: top oatmeal with chopped fresh apple, cinnamon, and honey or maple syrup.
  • Apple, Nuts, Cranberries and Cinnamon: can drizzle with honey
  • Honey Nut: stir in 1 tablespoon honey and top with toasted nuts of any variety.
  • Pina Colada: top oatmeal with pineapple chunks, toasted coconut and sliced bananas. Serve with a splash of coconut milk.
  • Berries and Cream: stir in 1/4 cup fresh berries. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1/4 cup yogurt

 Measurement Adjustments:
SteelCut Oats
oats
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.75
0.50

water
5.00
3.75
2.50
1.88
1.25














Old Fashioned
oats
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.75
0.50

water
3.50
2.63
1.75
1.31
0.88

Measurements above are using a real measuring cup 

- not the one that came with the cooker.


Inspiration Sources:

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