Hello my Foodie Friends!
One of my favorite all-time comfort foods is oatmeal. My love for oatmeal began as a child. Believe it or not, I loved eating oatmeal for breakfast as a child, (mom didn’t really give us a choice). Do you remember the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears? In the story, Goldilocks tries each bear’s bowl of porridge and finally decides to eat the little bear’s bowl which was “just right.” My family started the day with a bowl of hot porridge (oatmeal) most days of the week. A bowl of hot cereal with fruit, topped with some nuts and milk gave me the energy to get through the first part of the day.
I always had fun creating channels with the milk, the melting butter acting as lava, and sugar being the snow on my make believe village within my oatmeal. Throughout the years, my morning ritual no longer gives me the time to play with my breakfast. However, I have been able to become creative with what goes in my oatmeal. If you are in an oatmeal slump – here are some favorite toppings to try to help put some lovin’ back into your oatmeal.
Fruits, mixed berries, almond butter, and nuts are a standard item that has typically gone into oatmeal. Try new fruits such as figs (have more potassium than bananas), or passion fruits, mandarin oranges, grapes, and pomegranate seeds (loaded with antioxidants). Chocolate (yes!) is actually a great item to put in oatmeal. Dark chocolate is not only delicious but very healthy. Try vegetables (that’s right – vegetables) in your oatmeal. Grating carrots, zucchini, and eggplant and nutrition, fiber, and taste to your oatmeal. Spices such as ginger (has inflammatory properties), mint leaves, pistachios, and pumpkin seed puree’ are all wonderful additions to my morning favorite.
When making oatmeal, one of my favorite vessels to cook it in is a 2 qt. All-Clad Tri-Ply sauce pan. All-Clad has a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty. This is a perfect pan to make your favorite oatmeal in. The All-Clad 2 Qt stainless steel sauce pan is perfect for any chef, be they novice or professional it is made with a 3-Ply bonded construction with an aluminum core. The exterior of the sauce pan is compatible on all induction as well as traditional cook tops. From sautéing vegetables to finishing sauces this multi-functional pan will make a wonderful addition to your cookware or an exceptional gift. All-Clad stainless steel pans meet the standards of even the most demanding chefs.
Breakfast is widely recognized as the most important meal of your day and oatmeal is a great way to keep your tummy feeling full and your body energized. It can also help lower your cholesterol! Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery Store located at 33 Railroad Place for those cool tools to help you with breakfast. Remember my Foodie Friends; “Life Happens in the Kitchen!”
Take Care,
John & Paula
