[The Bestest Ever] Oats Porridge Bowl

The humble oats porridge bowl – a nutritional powerhouse, easy to make and utterly delicious too! Read on to find how we make oatmeal more appealing and interesting while helping you start your day the right way!

“It truly amazes me all the things you can add and mix in to truly transform a plain old bowl of oatmeal.”

~Ayesha Curry, about the simple appeal of an oats porridge bowl

Humble, simple, handy, convenient, nutritious, but…BORING – are some of the tags associated with oats porridge bowls. Oats have been a part of traditional meals for people from several countries and cultures, but oats made their inroads within India and onto Indian breakfast bowls only since little more than a decade ago. I mean, don’t get me wrong – oats (known as Jai in rural parts of India) were always native to India as well, but they were grown mostly as animal fodder, and it was around the year 2007 when Quaker Oats made a grand entry, that Indians started looking at oats as one of the wonder grains out there.

The goodness of Oatmeal

A nutrition powerhouse, oatmeal is the perfect balance of carbohydrates, fiber and protein. The beta-glucan soluble fiber content is capable of keeping cholesterol at check, as well as keeping one satiated and fuller for longer time, making weight management an easier ordeal. Whole-grain variety of  oats boast of a rich antioxidant and polyphenol profile, and a half-cup serving would offer you minerals like Iron, Zinc, Magnesium, folate and vitamins B1 and B5. What is more, oats are very, very versatile – provided you know how to prepare them right – and convenient meal option too. 

Jazzing up your Oats Porridge Bowl

So, even with the multitude of benefits,  one finds the easiest, quickest and potentially most nutritious bowl of oats porridge, somewhat…plain and boring? How do we make it interesting, but not hugely time-consuming? Easy! Try this recipe 🙂

I use fresh seasonal fruits, assortment of nuts and seeds, my homemade peanut butter, cocoa nibs, etc to jazz up my oats porridge. This way, I can aim for balanced nutrition, as well as transform it from plain-looking to exciting in a matter of minutes. After all, we eat with our eyes first, and visual hunger cues find deep roots in human evolution! 

This recipe is extremely versatile as well – you can add fruits like apples, bananas etc to suit your taste. In the same fashion, nut butters can be varied as well – I sometimes drizzle a spoonful of freshly-made tahini instead of peanut/ almond butter to avail the nutrition benefits of sesame seeds. 

More healthy brekkie suggestions!

Loved how simple yet delicious this recipe was? As a matter of fact, you can also try my Chocolate Protein Pancakes, Jamun Millet Muesli Smoothie Bowl, or Healthy Aloo Bhat to make your breakfast truly memorable!

RECIPE: [The Bestest Ever] Oats Porridge Bowl

INGREDIENTS

For Oats:

• 1/2 cup steel-cut oats (Quaker)
• 1 cup water

For Toppings:

• 1 cup strawberries, OR any seasonal fruit of your choice
• 2 tbsp flax seeds
• 10 almonds, pre-soaked & chopped
• 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds
• 2.5 tbsp chia seeds
• 2 tbsp peanut butter/ any nut butter
• 3-4 mejdool dates, deseeded & cut in strips
• 2 tbsp cacao nibs (I use Mason & Co. variety)
• 1 cup almond milk/ any milk of your choice

INSTRUCTIONS

• Start by heating the water in a saucepan and add oats once bubbles start appearing. Meanwhile, keep stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
• Now, reduce the flame and allow to simmer for 20 minutes, until soft, porridge-y texture is achieved.
• Consequently, Serve in bowls. Add almond milk to adjust the consistency to your liking.
• Lastly, and more interestingly, add toppings and devour!

I’d love to hear how this recipe turned out for you, if you tried it. Do post a pic on Instagram and tag #fitfoodiediary in the picture!

NOTES

Store any leftover cooked oats in a sealed container. You can reheat it the next day in the microwave or by transferring cooked oats in a bowl and placing the same over water simmering in a saucepan.