You certainly agree that oatmeal is one of the breakfast menus that is not only very healthy, but also filling and delicious! Interested in eating oatmeal as a breakfast menu to start a solid activity? Come on, read this article to find variations of the recipe!
Ingredients
- 45 grams of rolled oats, steel-cut oats, or instant oatmeal
- 240 ml water or milk
- 240 ml almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, or other vegetable milk (optional)
- Various complements, flavors, and additional ingredients according to taste
Step
Method 1 of 4: Microwave Cooking Oatmeal
Step 1. Pour the oats into a microwave-safe, heat-resistant glass bowl
Most types of oats, such as quick-cooking oats or rolled oats, have an average serving of 45 grams. If you want to cook instant oatmeal, all you have to do is open the package and pour the contents into a bowl, especially since instant oatmeal is usually packaged individually so you don't need to measure it before cooking.
Use a spoon and measuring cup to measure out oats that are not sold individually
Step 2. Add 240 ml of water and stir the oats until there are no lumps
Fill a measuring cup with 240 ml of cold water, then pour the water over the dried oats. Then, stir the oats until all the grains are dissolved and there are no lumps.
- 240 ml of water may seem too much for 45 grams of oats. However, always remember that oats will absorb liquid very quickly when cooked.
- To make oatmeal with a thicker and creamier texture, you can also use milk instead of plain water.
Step 3. Heat the oatmeal in the microwave for 1½-2 minutes
Place the bowl of oats in the microwave and heat it on high. For a softer and creamier texture of oatmeal, you only need to cook it for 1½ minutes. However, if you prefer thick, dense oats, try heating them for 2 minutes or a little longer.
If you are using traditional grain oats such as steel-cut oats or rolled oats, increase the cooking time to 2½-3 minutes to ensure they are completely soft when eaten
Step 4. Stir the oatmeal well
Very carefully, remove the very hot bowl from the microwave ! Then, stir the oatmeal again quickly before eating it.
Refrigerate the oatmeal for one to two minutes before eating
Step 5. Mix your favorite flavours
At this point, you can add a variety of delicious and healthy accompaniments, such as butter, honey, cream, fresh berries, dried fruit, or toasted nuts. Mix the complementary ingredients to taste, then immediately enjoy a delicious bowl of your homemade oatmeal!
If it's packaged instant oatmeal, try tasting it first before adding any flavorings. Some types of instant oatmeal are equipped with additional flavorings or sweeteners such as brown sugar, cinnamon, and apples
Method 2 of 4: Cooking Rolled Oats or Steel-Cut Oats on the Stove
Step 1. Fill a shallow pan with 240 ml of water or milk
Use a standard measuring cup to ensure the correct amount of liquid used. In general, oats will cook faster if they are cooked in water. In addition, the natural texture can be maintained. On the other hand, cooking oats with milk will result in a softer, softer texture.
- If possible, use a small shallow pan for best results, especially since some of the oats should be submerged while cooking.
- In fact, only steel-cut oats or rolled oats can be cooked on the stove. In other words, other variants such as instant oatmeal and quick-cooking oats are designed to be microwaved.
Step 2. Heat the water or milk over medium or high heat until small bubbles appear on the surface
In particular, this is the optimal temperature for cooking oatmeal. Remember, the liquid used must first be brought to a boil so that the oat grains do not absorb too much liquid and the texture is too soft when eaten.
- If you want, you can also mix water and milk for an oatmeal texture that is still creamy, but lower in calories.
- Make sure the temperature of the water or milk is not too hot so that the evaporation process is not too fast and the risk of burning the oatmeal.
Step 3. Add 45 grams of oats and mix well
Use a spoon and measuring cup to scoop up 45 grams of oats which is generally a standard serving for one person. If you want to cook more oats, simply add 45g of oats and 180-240 ml of water or milk for an extra serving.
Add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor of the oatmeal
Step 4. Cook the oatmeal over low heat until it reaches the desired consistency
While cooking, stir in the oatmeal occasionally. Basically, the cooking time of oatmeal really depends on the type and amount of oats you use. Instead of keeping an eye on the clock, try observing the texture of the oats and stopping the cooking process when it's thickened to your liking.
- Chances are, it will take 8-10 minutes to cook rolled oats. Meanwhile, steel-cut oats that are tougher in texture generally need to be cooked for 20 minutes to get a softer texture.
- If you stir too often, the flour content in the oat grains will come out. As a result, the oatmeal will be more sticky in texture and lose its natural taste.
Step 5. Remove the pan from the stove
Once the desired texture is achieved, immediately transfer the oatmeal to a serving bowl with the help of a spoon or spatula so that there are no traces of oatmeal left. That way, you don't have to bother when you have to clean the pan, right? In addition, make sure the size of the bowl used is large enough to be able to accommodate all kinds of accompaniments that will be added.
Remember, the texture of oatmeal will get thicker as the temperature decreases. Therefore, it's best to turn off the stove just before the oatmeal texture is really to your liking
Step 6. Add your favorite toppings and flavours
While the oatmeal is still very hot, add a spoonful of butter, a spoonful of natural peanut butter, or a handful of raisins. If you want a sweeter taste, try adding a little brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, or fruit jam. Don't hesitate because the taste is sure to be delicious!
- Ground spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice (a mixture of various spices) can also be added to balance the sweetness of the oatmeal.
- Chill the oatmeal for a while before eating!
Method 3 of 4: Cooking Oatmeal in Boiling Water
Step 1. Bring water to a boil in a teapot
Fill the teapot with clean water, then bring to a boil on the stove over high heat. If you have an electric kettle, you can also use one to make the process easier. While waiting for the water to boil, prepare the other ingredients to add to your oatmeal bowl.
For this method, you can use instant oatmeal, steel-cut oats, or rolled oats
Step 2. Pour 45 grams of oats into a bowl
This recipe will make one bowl of oatmeal for one person. For a larger serving, add 45 grams of oats for one extra serving. Remember, for every 45 grams of oats, you will need 120-240 ml of boiling water.
- Use a clean, dry measuring cup to get the right ratio of water to oats.
- Add a pinch of salt to the dried oats to enrich the taste.
Step 3. Pour boiling water over the oats
Once the water boils, turn off the stove and open the spout of the teapot to release some of the hot steam. Keep stirring the oats as you add the water to prevent the texture from clumping. To make oatmeal with a softer texture, use about 300 ml of water. On the other hand, to make oatmeal with a thicker and denser texture, just use 180-240 ml of water.
The oats will expand and thicken as they cook. That's why it's best to use slightly more water than you think you need
Step 4. Cool the oatmeal before eating
After pouring boiling water, of course the temperature of the oatmeal will be too hot to eat for a few minutes. Therefore, so that your mouth does not burn when eating it, wait at least until no more hot steam comes out. Don't worry, your patience will pay off!
If necessary, add a little cream or a spoonful of Greek yogurt to make the oatmeal cool faster
Step 5. Add as many complements as you want
Make the oatmeal taste sweeter by adding honey, brown sugar, or maple syrup. Then, you can also add a few slices of banana, a little granola, or some chocolate chips. Perfect the taste of oatmeal by adding a pinch of cinnamon and sugar or apple pie spice!
- Don't be afraid to get creative with unconventional toppings or flavours, like dried cherries, pistachios, or grated coconut for a more unique taste!
- Try serving oatmeal like an acai bowl by mixing in finely ground acai berries, and adding authentic toppings like chia seeds, peanut butter, and fresh fruit slices.
Method 4 of 4: Making Overnight Oatmeal with Rolled Oats
Step 1. Put 45 grams of rolled oats in a small container
Ideally, you can use a mason jar or glass jar, especially since these allow you to control the amount of each ingredient you use. However, if you don't have one, you can also use any container that is deep enough and has transparent walls. Once the oats are added, gently shake the container to level the surface.
- Rolled oats are the most perfect variant of oats to be processed into overnight oatmeal, especially because instant oatmeal can be very soft after pouring liquid. Steel-cut oats are also not an ideal choice, as they will remain dry and tough even after soaking in the liquid overnight.
- If you're always in a rush in the morning, make overnight oatmeal in a plastic lunchbox that you can take with you when you need it.
Step 2. Pour in animal or vegetable milk in equal proportions
Pour in about 120 ml of cold cow's milk, or use an alternative such as almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk in a 1:1 ratio with the amount of oats that have been added previously. Milk acts as a liquid to soften the texture of the oats overnight.
Chances are, you'll need to do a few experiments to get the most appropriate proportions. If the overnight oatmeal texture is too soft on the first try, simply reduce the amount of milk used in the next experiment. On the other hand, if the texture is too dry, add a little milk just before serving the oatmeal
Step 3. Stir all the ingredients in the container well
Keep stirring until the texture of all the oats is consistent. Make sure there aren't any areas that are still too dry or clumpy!
If you want, you can also add other dry ingredients at this stage, such as chia seeds, flax seeds, and ground spices
Step 4. Put the oatmeal in the refrigerator and let it sit overnight
Cover the container, then place it in the very center of your refrigerator shelf. While sitting overnight, each grain of oats should absorb the liquid and have a softer texture when eaten the next day. Generally, oatmeal takes 3-5 hours to get the right texture and is ready to eat. However, for best results, let the oatmeal sit for 7-8 hours or overnight.
- If the container you are using does not have a special lid, try covering the surface with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Don't store the oatmeal for more than 10 hours so it doesn't become too mushy and unpalatable to eat.
Step 5. Pour in your favorite flavorings and eat the oatmeal cold
Once removed from the refrigerator, fill the remaining container with your favorite toppings and flavours, such as honey, Greek yogurt, or chocolate peanut butter. For those of you who really take care of your health, there is nothing wrong with adding more nutritious supplements such as fresh fruit and peanut butter without additional sweeteners.
- Instead of adding sugar or artificial sweeteners, try using mashed bananas for a natural sweetness.
- Get creative! In fact, you can experiment with different flavors to come up with the most unique combinations that suit your taste buds.
- If you don't want to eat oatmeal cold, you can also warm individual servings of oatmeal in the microwave for a minute or two before eating it.
Tips
- To speed up the serving time of oatmeal, try cooking large amounts of oatmeal and storing it in the refrigerator until it's time to eat it. When going to eat, you only need to take a few spoonfuls of oatmeal, then add 1-2 tbsp. water or milk, and heat it in the microwave.
- For a more nutritious and low-calorie breakfast menu, try mixing oatmeal with plant-based milks such as almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk instead of animal milk.
- Want to serve oatmeal as one of the main dishes at a large family event? Try making your own “oatmeal shop” and arranging as many complementary ingredients as desired in a buffet format.
Warning
- It's a good idea to clean the pan immediately after using it to cook oatmeal, because the remaining dried oats will be difficult to clean without going through the soaking process.
- Always monitor the condition of the teapot or pot when you use it to boil water. Of course you don't want a fire to run the risk of messing up breakfast, right?
