For many runners, oatmeal is a go-to way to kick off the day. But if your morning bowl of oats is usually topped with a handful of berries or a few almonds, it can get, well, boring—fast. Stop selling this nutritious whole-grain short. Wake up your taste buds with these four delicious remixes.
Two steps for a better bowl of oatmeal
Step One: Soak Your Oats
Why settle for soggy oatmeal when you can spoon up more satisfying steel-cut oats as the backbone for your most important meal of the day. The key to slashing the cooking time is to soak them overnight. Place 2/3 cup steel-cut oats, a pinch of salt and 1 3/4 cups water in a medium-sized saucepan. Bring to a slight simmer, immediately turn off the heat, cover and let sit overnight.
Step Two: Heat and Build Your Flavor
In the morning, stir in a couple of splashes of milk and any of the stir-ins below and then heat over medium-low for 5 minutes, stirring a couple of times. Dump into bowls and then apply the toppings of choice. This makes enough for two servings. To reheat leftovers, place cooked oatmeal (minus the toppings) in a saucepan with a touch of additional water or milk and heat over medium-low heat until warmed through.
4 Easy, Delicious Oatmeal Recipes
PB&J Recipe
STIR-IN:
2 Tbsp peanut butter
1⁄4 cup strawberry jam
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
TOP:
1/4 cup unsalted roasted peanuts
Pumpkin Pie
STIR-IN:
1/3 cup pumpkin puree
2 Tbsp ground flaxseed
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ginger powder
1/4 tsp ground cloves
TOP:
1 chopped apple
1/4 cup sliced pecans
4 tsp maple syrup
Egg Salad
STIR-IN:
2 cups baby spinach
2 Tbsp sun-dried tomato pesto
TOP:
2 fried eggs
1 Tbsp chopped chives
1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Mocha
STIR-IN:
2 Tbsp cocoa powder
2 tsp instant espresso powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
TOP:
1 cup raspberries
1/4 cup sliced (or chopped) hazelnuts