Is it Fall yet?

Yesterday morning was painfully chilly, as is this morning. I think Fall is coming! Things that make Fall wonderful include sweaters, boots, Sprinkles the cat sleeping on my pillow when it's cold, and Fall-y foods. Yeah, Fall-y foods. Like pumpkin oats!!!


Pumpkin Oats
Make on the weekend for a full week of oat-y goodness. Good cold or hot!


Ingredients

• 1/2 c. pure pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling...see Trader Joe's) 
• 1/2 c. oat bran
• 1/2 c. rolled oats
• 1 cup soy milk (or other milk of your liking)
• 1 cup water
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 tbsp agave syrup or maple syrup

Directions

• In a medium sauce pan, bring milk and water to boil
• Stir in oats and oat bran
• Add salt, spices and vanilla
• Lower heat to medium-low and stir occasionally to keep from sticking to pan
• Once oats have begun to thicken up, stir in pumpkin
• After 3-4 minutes, oats will be fully cooked. Sweeten to your preference with agave, maple syrup, or whatever sweetener you like best. Or don't sweeten at all. Whatever.

I made Apple Oats Brulee on this occasion... All you need is a small apple, some cinnamon sugar, and extra agave or maple syrup.

These aren't too pretty, which is why I didn't take too many pics. But they're mighty tasty.

 Slice apple and line the bottom of a ramekin. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

 Nuke for one minute, but if you have time on your hands, the broiler would be preferred.

Pour over as many hot oats as you want. Drizzle with syrup and sprinkle with more cinnamon sugar.

Put under the broiler (on high) for 5 minutes, or until topping is bubbly. You have to add a lot of sugar and torch it to get the crust like a real creme brulee, but this is a health-centric blog and I do not suggest eating four tablespoons of pure sugar in your breakfast. This topping will still be soft, but pretty and tasty! Garnish with more apple.

 

I spy Sprinkles the cat. Sitting somewhere she probably should not...

Remind me about this moment when I sit at the dining table next time.  This is why they make placemats.

French art: "Derriere du chat sur la table"

Another great way to eat Pumpkin Oats is to layer them cold with vanilla greek yogurt. I don't like to buy pre-flavored greek yogurt because its usually sweetened with sugar and full of calories. I just add vanilla extract and stevia to taste.  Then layer cold pumpkin oats with yogurt. Sprinkle in some nuts or granola every few layers for crunch! 

Why oat bran and rolled oats?

I personally like the texture. Both offer crazy amounts of fiber and protein, but oat bran has more vitamins and minerals than the rolled oats. Pure oat bran is a bit too mushy on it's own, so the oatmeal helps with the texture to make it more interesting. Heather at Heather Eats Almond Butter did a great comparison of the two, so I won't step on her toes. Go check that out.

Happy Thursday!