Oatmeal makes for a tasty and nutritious breakfast to start the day. Since it can be prepared in many different ways, it's also an extremely quick and easy fix for busy mornings. The easiest way to enjoy a steaming cup of oats is to heat it in the microwave. However, you can also cook it in the traditional way by simmering it in water on the stove or pouring boiling water directly over instant cereals until they reach the consistency of your choice.
Ingrediants
- 45g rolled oats, split or instant
- 250 ml of water or milk
- 250ml almond, coconut, soy or other alternative to cow's milk (optional)
- Various ingredients, spices and toppings (to taste)
Steps
Method 1 of 4: in the Microwave
Step 1. Pour the cereal into a microwave safe bowl
For most types of oats, such as quick-cook and flaked, the average serving size is around 45g. If you are using the instant one, open the pouch and transfer the contents into a cup, as it is usually packaged in individual doses and you don't have to weigh it.
Use a kitchen scale to measure the doses
Step 2. Add 250ml of water and mix everything together
Fill a measuring cup with 250ml of cold water and pour the liquid over the dry oats; mix the ingredients to blend them, making sure there are no lumps or areas where the cereal stays dry.
- You may think that 250ml of liquid is an overdose for 45g of oats, but remember that cereal quickly absorbs moisture as it cooks;
- If you love thicker, creamier textures, you can replace water with milk.
Step 3. Heat the oats in the microwave for 90-120 seconds
Place the bowl in the appliance and heat the contents to maximum power. If you prefer a softer and creamier mixture, set the cooking time to one and a half minutes; if you love denser textures, continue for 2 minutes or so.
If you are making a more substantial dish, such as flaked or split oats, you need to increase the cooking time to 2.5-3 minutes to make sure the cereal is soft
Step 4. Stir the dish thoroughly
Remove the bowl from the appliance carefully as it is very hot; after mixing oats quickly, you can eat it.
Wait for it to cool for a minute or two before taking the first spoonful
Step 5. Add your favorite ingredients
At this point, you can incorporate some delicious and healthy toppings, such as butter, honey, cream, fresh berries, toasted or dried fruit; just pour some of the products you prefer and mix!
Taste instant oats before adding anything else. This type of cereal is usually flavored with cane sugar, cinnamon and apples; consequently, it doesn't need much else
Method 2 of 4: on the stove
Step 1. Fill a shallow pan with 250ml of milk or water
Use a graduated cup to measure the right amount of liquid. Oats cook faster when simmered in water and retain their natural firm consistency a lot; if you use milk, you get a softer and creamier mixture.
- It is best to use a small saucepan, such as a saucepan, as the cereal must remain partially submerged to cook.
- You should use this method only with flaked or split oats; other varieties, such as instant and quick-cooking, are designed for microwave preparation.
Step 2. Bring the water or milk to a gentle boil
Heat the saucepan over medium-high heat until you notice the first bubbles. This is the ideal temperature for oats; remember that it is important to heat the liquid before adding the cereal, to prevent it from absorbing too much moisture and becoming soggy.
- You can use a combination of water and milk for creamier oats without overdoing the calories.
- Be careful not to overheat the liquid, otherwise it evaporates too quickly and the oats burn.
Step 3. Add 45g of cereal and mix
Weigh the amount of oats with a scale; 45 g is considered the standard ration for one person. If you'd rather make more, simply use a larger saucepan in which you can add another 45g of cereal and 180-250ml of extra liquid.
Add a pinch of salt to flavor the dish
Step 4. Let the ingredients simmer to the desired consistency
Stir occasionally while cooking but don't overdo it. The time required varies based on the amount and type of oats you are using; instead of looking at the clock, observe the consistency of the mixture as it thickens.
- To cook the classic flakes it takes 8-10 minutes; since the broken cereal has a harder consistency, it must remain on the fire for up to 20 minutes.
- Mixing excessively triggers the release of starches which make the compound sticky and tasteless.
Step 5. Remove the oats from the heat
When it is creamy at the right point, transfer it to a bowl by scraping the edges and the bottom of the pan with a spatula or a spoon; in this way, you minimize the subsequent cleaning work. Remember to use a cup or bowl large enough to add as many toppings as you want.
Remember that the mixture continues to thicken as it cools, so you should remove the saucepan from the stove a little in advance
Step 6. Add your favorite flavors
You can add a small piece of cow butter, natural peanut butter, or a handful of raisins while the oats are still very hot; If you love sweet flavors, consider sprinkling some brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, or fruit jam. It is practically impossible to go wrong!
- Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice are perfect for balancing sweet ingredients;
- Wait for the oats to cool and reach an acceptable temperature before eating them.
Method 3 of 4: with boiling water
Step 1. Boil water in a kettle
Fill the pan with fresh water and put it on the stove over high heat; you can also use an electric device. In the meantime, you can continue with the preparation and take care of the rest of the breakfast.
You can use this method to cook instant oats, but also slow cooker versions like broken and flaked cereal
Step 2. Transfer 45g of oats to a bowl
This is the ration for one person; if you're making breakfast for multiple individuals, measure one serving at a time. You need 125-250ml of boiling liquid for every 45g of cereal.
- Use a scale and a graduated cup to keep the correct proportions between the ingredients;
- Add a pinch of salt to dry oats to enhance the flavor.
Step 3. Pour the boiling water over the cereal
When it reaches a boil, turn off the heat and open the spout of the kettle to release some steam; stir the oats continuously as you add the liquid. If you prefer a soft compound, use about 300ml of water; if you love denser and fuller textures, limit yourself to 180-250 ml.
Oats swell and thicken during cooking. This means that it is better to use a little more water than you think is necessary
Step 4. Wait for the mixture to cool before consuming
After pouring the boiling water, the dish is very hot for several minutes; if you want to avoid burning your tongue, wait to take the first bite until most of the steam has dissipated. You will be glad you did!
You can quickly chill a cup of freshly cooked oats with a dollop of cream or Greek yogurt
Step 5. Add your favorite ingredients
Sweeten the mixture naturally using honey, brown sugar or maple syrup; add banana slices, granola agglomerates or chocolate pieces. Finish the preparation with some cinnamon sugar or apple pie spices.
- When you're in the mood for something different, don't be afraid to experiment with uncommon flavors like dried cherries, pistachios, or coconut flakes.
- Serve oats like an açaí na tigela by incorporating an açaí berry smoothie and other great ingredients like chia seeds, fresh fruit, and nut butter.
Method 4 of 4: Make Oat Flakes the Night Before
Step 1. Transfer 45g of rolled oats to a small bowl
A glass jar is perfect for this, as it allows you to control portions; however, you can use any other deep, open container. Once the cereal is in, shake it to level the surface.
- The flaked oats lend themselves very well to this "advance preparation", the instant version tends to become soggy after adding the liquid, while the broken cereal remains too hard and dry.
- If your mornings are pretty hectic, mix all the ingredients in a plastic container so you can have breakfast on the street.
Step 2. Incorporate an equal dose of cow's milk or vegetable milk
A 45g serving of oats has a volume of about 120ml, so add this amount of cold milk which can be cow, almond, coconut or soy milk; in this way, you guarantee the right hydration to the cereal. Your goal is a preparation with a 1: 1 ratio.
It may take a couple of tries to find the perfect doses. If the oats become too soft after the first preparation, next time reduce the dose of liquid; if it is rather dry, consider adding a little milk before serving
Step 3. Mix the ingredients thoroughly
Continue until the contents of the jar are completely uniform, otherwise there will be dry and unappetizing areas.
You can mix in other dry ingredients at this stage, such as chia seeds, flax seeds, or ground spices
Step 4. Store the oats in the refrigerator overnight
Cover the container and place it on the central shelf of the appliance; meanwhile, the cereal slowly absorbs the milk becoming swollen and soft. It takes 3-5 hours before it is ready to eat; if you want to get the smoothest texture possible, wait 7-8 hours.
- If the container you have chosen does not have a lid, cover the opening with cling film or aluminum foil;
- Avoid leaving oats in the refrigerator for more than 10 hours, or they may become soggy and inedible.
Step 5. Garnish everything with the ingredients you love the most and enjoy your cold dish
Once the jar is out of the refrigerator, fill the space available with delicious toppings such as honey, Greek yogurt or chocolate and hazelnut cream. Food-conscious people can opt for healthier solutions, such as fresh fruit and sugar-free nut butters.
- Try using a mashed banana to make the mixture sweet without using traditional sweeteners;
- Unleash your creativity; practically, there is no limit to the number of ingredients and combinations you can use.
- If the idea of eating cold oats doesn't appeal to you, you can heat the portion in the microwave for a minute or two.
Advice
- When cooking oats for the whole family, prepare the additional ingredients on the table as if it were a buffet, so that everyone can personalize their dish.
- For a more nutritious and low-calorie breakfast, replace cow's milk with almond, coconut or soy milk.
- For convenience, consider preparing a large serving of oats in advance and keeping it in the refrigerator until you want to consume it; you can take the ration you prefer, add 15-30 ml of milk or water and heat it in the microwave.
Warnings
- You should clean the pan immediately after cooking oats on the stove; if the remains of food dry out, you will not be able to remove them, unless you leave them to soak for a long time.
- Never leave the boiling pot or kettle unattended; not only is there a risk of fire, but you can also spoil the breakfast!
