My supply of oats is running dangerously low.
My sister and I have three canisters on our kitchen counter: one is for oats, one for coffee, one for – ugh, Splenda – which I never touch. I’m thinking of buying her some Stevia as part of a Chanukkah gift.
Anyway, the oats and the coffee are the important containers. Equally valuable, they form my breakfast spread: a steaming bowl and a steaming mug. A few days ago, I climbed up to the shelf above the microwave [stools are an essential in New York apartments, as all our storage is vertical] in order to retrieve the industrial-sized bag of oats my mom so generously brings me from Costco. And then I remembered: the last time I refilled the canister, I used up the bag.
My parents won’t be in with bulk food presents until Christmas day, so what to do? I could purchase a small box – but it seems a waste of money better spent on gifts this time of year. Instead, I’ve chosen to get a little creative, rationing the oats that are left.
I have two hot cereal alternatives on hand: oat bran, which I like, just not as much, and quinoa flakes, which have been sitting on my shelf since last Passover, as quinoa is one of the few foods I actually can eat on Passover [that's going to make for some fun blogging in the spring].
This morning, I combined equal parts oats, oat bran, and quinoa flakes, added a cup of almond milk, and hoped for the best.
Of course, I treated the mix like any other stovetop creation, tossing in this and that along the way, including a banana, mulberries, pomegranate seeds, almonds, cinnamon, and flax.
Topped with the necessary nut butter of the morning: walnut-pecan.
The result? Voluminous, creamy, texturally a bit more complex than a plain bowl of oats. I’d highly recommend mixing your hot cereals, just to see what happens.
Unfortunately, the oats that remain will definitely run out this weekend, and I figure that’s a sign to add some imagination to my breakfasts. I’ve never been one for cereal, juice, smoothies, or eggs in the morning. But I’m thinking: Breakfast bulgur? A morning take on wheatberry pudding? Polenta with almond butter?
I can guarantee I will be eating oats on December 26th. But until then: it looks like I have some experimenting to do.
What is your favorite non-oat breakfast?
Related posts:
My favorite non-oat breakfast = One Lucky Duck crispies cereal (the cinnamon & chocolate varieties):
Chocolate:
http://www.oneluckyduck.com/store/product-details.php?id=139&cat=27
Cinnamon:
http://www.oneluckyduck.com/store/product-details.php?id=140&cat=27
It says my comment is awaiting moderation… is that because of the links? Sorry, haha.
GREAT way to comprimise!! my fav non oat breakfast-DEF pancakes or french toast!
I quite often use wheatberries as a grain for breakfast- I cook them and mix with yogurt, banana and fruit. I also made a breakfast rice pudding with brown rice once- was good but took forever to cook so haven’t had the foresight to make it again. I also love cooked apple topped with granola and Greek yogurt for something warm/comforting- I only end up eating oats a couple of times a week now.
I have never seen quinoa flakes before! only regular quinoa. maybe they are the same and I am just uninformed? lol. oh well.
my favorite non oat breakfast is definitely cold cereal with almond milk, with a side of cottage cheese and fruit, finished off with a spoonful of nut butter.
I’m a fan of Kashi blueberry waffles with pb and a little jam :)
Speaking of which, I need to stock up! haha
bec xo
I do love oat bran — it has a nuttier flavor than oats — but I’m also (sometimes) a fan of Kashi waffles spread with nut butter and pumpkin butter. No syrup!!
Breakfast is truly my favorite meal of the day! Usually I start my day with a Green Monster shake, a cup of steamy hot brewed coffee, a bowl of crunchy cereal (Kashi Go Lean or Quakers Oatmeal Squares – wait, that’s oat…) in iced cold NF milk, with a spoonful sunflower seed nut butter or almond butter!
great way to go about saving your oats! :) quinoa flakes, i tried them once i think i should give them another try…i didnt like them much when i had them, but theres no harm in trying them again, there going to waste sitting in my pantry! :)…but haha of course you know i love oatmeal, and am a bit addicted to it each morning! i want to challenge myself to a non oat breakfast soon…but my favorite non oatmeal breakfast is/was lol, crunchy granola in milk with raisins, or weetabix biscuit cereal spread with peanut butter or almond butter in Greek yogurt with a banana and honey that is SO good :)
happy Hanukkah lovie :)
xx
Eliza
Sad situation! One I’m going through as well… may or may not have pilfered a serving of 5 grain cereal from my roommie. I’m a big fan of yogurt messes with something warm mixed in.