Get your antioxidants here!

Just finished shoveling what looks like about a foot or more of snow. The thermometer says -1 and with the wind chill all I can say is DAMN it’s cold out there!

Blueberry & pomegranate oatmeal. The trick is cooking the oats in some Pom! Boy is it yummy!!

Blueberry Oatmeal with Toasted Coconut

I try not to eat “out of season” but the blueberries at the market were screaming my name today!

Apricot & Toasted Almond Oatmeal

Dreary grey morning. Bright apricot tastiness! Sweet and tart and topped with almonds and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds.

Apricot & Toasted Almond Oatmeal:  Serves 1

• 1/2 C. Oatmeal*
• 1 C.  Apricot nectar**
• About 2 Tbs. chopped, dried apricots
• About 2 Tbs. toasted, sliced almonds for garnish
• A scattering of pomegranate seeds for garnish

Method:

• Bring the apricot nectar to a boil .
• Stir in the oats and bring back to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring enough to keep the oats from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• I like my oatmeal “al dente” so I keep cooking till most of the moisture has been absorbed.
• Stir in about half the diced apricots at minute or two before the oats are ready to rehydrate them slightly.
• Top with the toasted almonds, remaining diced apricot and pomegranate seeds

*Note: I use Quaker rolled oats because I’m on a budget but feel free to use your favorite brand and cook longer if required.  **I use Looza fruit nectars because they’re reasonably priced when I don’t make my own.  Making your own is really simple.  When any particular fruit is at the height of it’s season and wildly ripe put a handful into a blender (pit larger stone fruits and remove the core of fruits such as apples & pears first).  Pour in water to cover slightly and blend.  Keep adding water till the mixture resembles a juice and not a puree.  Keep refrigerated and use within a few days or  freeze for later.  You can also add a few drops of lemon juice to keep the color bright.

Kale & Goat Cheese Oatmeal

Think Risotto!
Cooked in chicken stock with the kale and a bit of goat cheese and topped with roasted tomatoes and a sliver more of goat cheese.

Kale & Goat Cheese Oatmeal:  Serves 1

• 1/2 C. Oatmeal*
• 1 C.  Organic, low sodium chicken stock
• 1 small clove chopped garlic
• 1 Scant tsp. of olive oil
• 1 hand full of washed and chopped kale
• About 1 -2 tsp. of goat cheese
• Roasted cherry or grape tomatoes for garnish
• Light grating of Pecorino Romano cheese for garnish

Method:

• Lightly sauté the garlic in the olive oil until fragrant.
• Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil.
• Stir in the oats & kale, bring back to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring enough to keep the oats from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• I like my oatmeal “al dente” so I keep cooking till most of the moisture has been absorbed.
• Stir in the goat cheese till it melts and is creamy.
• Top with a sliver of goat cheese, the roasted tomatoes and a dusting of pecorino.

*Note: I use Quaker rolled oats because I’m on a budget but feel free to use your favorite brand and cook longer if required

PB&J Oatmeal

Yep. You read that right. Honey roasted organic peanut butter cooked with the oats and topped with jam and toasted nuts. I was craving strawberry or raspberry jam but all I had was apricot. I was also out of peanuts so I toasted pumpkin seeds. Still pretty tasty.

PB&J Oatmeal:  Serves 1

• 1/2 C. Oatmeal*
• 1 C.  Water
• About a 1/4 tsp. of cinnamon
• 1 Tbs. Organic honey roasted creamy peanut butter
• 1/2- 1 tsp. of honey (if you don’t have the honey roasted peanuts)
• 2 tsp. Jam of your choice – I love homemade Strawberry or Raspberry (recipe to come)
• 1-2 Tbs. Chopped roasted peanuts

Method:

• Bring the water and cinnamon to a boil.
• Stir in the oats & peanut butter (and honey if using) and cook for 5 minutes, stirring enough to keep the oats from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• I like my oatmeal “al dente” so I keep cooking till most of the moisture has been absorbed.
• Top with the jam and the chopped peanuts

*Note: I use Quaker rolled oats because I’m on a budget but feel free to use your favorite brand and cook longer if required

Ginger Snap Oatmeal

With that cold sting in the air I needed the heat of ginger! I also wanted some creaminess so this morning I topped with a little yogurt and some crystallized ginger!

I’m putting together more traditionally laid out recipes but here’s the gist of today’s oatmeal.

GingerSnap Oatmeal:  Serves 1

• 1/2 C. Oatmeal*
• 1 C.  Apple cider
• About a 1/4 tsp. of each: ginger, cinnamon & coca powder
• About an 1/8 tsp. of cloves
• 1 tsp. Molasses
• Crystalized ginger for garnish and for inside the oatmeal if you want a really gingery  kick!

Method:

• Bring the cider, spices, cocoa and molasses to a boil.
• Stir in the oats and cook for 5 minutes, stirring enough to keep the oats from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• I like my oatmeal “al dente” so I keep cooking till most of the moisture has been absorbed.
• Top with a Tbs. of plain or vanilla yogurt and a scattering of chopped crystalized ginger.

*Note: I use Quaker rolled oats because I’m on a budget but feel free to use your favorite brand and cook longer if required

Five Spiced Pear Oatmeal

Five Spiced Pear Oatmeal:  Serves 1

• 1/2 C. Oatmeal*
• 1 C.  Pear Juice**
• 1/2 tsp. Chinese 5-spice powder (less if you like a lighter flavor)
• 2 Tbs. Roasted Pear, diced
• Garnish: Roasted pear, dash of 5-spice powder (I also added some toasted walnuts and a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds for added crunch)

Method:

• Bring the juice, spice, and diced pear to a boil
• Stir in the oats and cook for 5 minutes, stirring enough to keep the oats from sticking to the bottom of the pan
• I like my oatmeal “al dente” so I keep cooking till most of the moisture has been absorbed.
• Top with the roasted pear, 5-spice powder and anything else that makes your oatmeal uniquely yours!

Notes: *I use Quaker rolled oats because I’m on a budget but feel free to use your favorite brand and cook longer if required.  **When buying fruit juices to cook with you want them to be as natural as possible. Sometimes I make my own by pureeing fruit that’s in season and ripe and blending it with water till it’s the consistency I want.

Caramel Apple & Toasted Walnut Oatmeal

Recipes to come next week!

A Year of Oatmeal!

Well its 2014 and I miss working with food!

This year I’m going to make a different oatmeal recipe everyday and see what I can come up with.

If any of you remember the original Cat Food blog  I’m hoping this will begin to revive it. I’m trying to move the old blog from my old hosting company but things aren’t looking good. 😦    I’ll keep you posted …

Pictured: Ginger Roasted Pear & Pomegranate Oatmeal