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Oatmeal Enthusiasts: Meet Elnè and Claudine!
It’s time for my first Enthusiast duo! I have often admired the oatmeal photos shared on Elnè and Claudine’s Instagram account, @happyhealthyhangry, and after finding out it was run by a sister pair, I couldn’t think of a reason why they both shouldn’t have the spotlight together this month.
We’re Elnè and Claudine, two sisters living in South Africa who have slowly but surely developed an obsession with oatmeal. About two years ago we both decided to start living healthier lifestyles. The first thing we cut out was sugar. So, no more breakfast cereal. This is where oatmeal, especially quick oats, came into play. It was a convenient and healthy breakfast perfect for Elne, who is a university student without a stove, and Claudine who needs to get up early for school.
We started experimenting with different flavor combinations and cooking methods. The first of which was simply adding a heap of peanut butter to oats, which is still a favourite. We became more and more adventurous and after discovering The Oatmeal Artist’s blog our horizons have broadened even further and we find inspiration in the loads of recipes she has on her blog. Sometimes our crazy combinations work (can anyone say Bovril and banana?) and sometimes they don’t. We take full advantage of the end of year holiday in South Africa which provides us with more than enough time to experiment and fine tune our oatmeal baking skills.
As of 2016 Claudine will start a new chapter in her life by joining her older sister Elnè, now in her fourth year of studying medicine, at university. Claudine plans on pursuing her love of cooking by becoming a food journalist. We plan on staying oatmeal enthusiasts for the rest of our lives.
Saturday 26 Dec 2015: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Smoothie
After the massive amounts of food consumed on Christmas, neither one of us felt like having a heavy breakfast. Cue the smoothie. A bit of oatmeal keeps you full, without that heavy, sluggish feeling. Making this smoothie is very simple; just blend about 2 tablespoons of uncooked oats with frozen yogurt, Peanut butter, cacao, milk and any sweetener you prefer (we use a low kilojoule sugar substitute). (more…)
Cheesecake Baked Oatmeal
I gave up on this recipe ages ago. As I mentioned in my Berry Cream Cheese Baked Oatmeal, I have been trying to master a cheesecake oatmeal since 2013! Now that I like the taste of Tofutti, and I’ve discovered the trick of adding zucchini, I figured it was time to try it again.
I think one thing hindering my progress was that my mom makes amazing cheesecake. Even though I haven’t had it since my vegetarian days, I still recall the creamy, tangy, sweet, rich flavor of those perfect cakes. Mommy, I miss your cheesecake!!! (more…)
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POSTED IN: baked oatmeal, berries, cherries, cream cheese, dessert lovers, toppings, veggies, zucchini
POSTED IN: baked oatmeal, berries, cherries, cream cheese, dessert lovers, toppings, veggies, zucchini
Cherry-Berry Oatmeal with Chocolate PB2 and Toasted Coconut
I used to have a strong aversion to cooking my fruits in my oatmeal. What was the point of having fresh fruit if I were just going to boil it to oblivion in my oatmeal? However, I’ve recently come around.
First of all, the flavor is astounding. Second of all, it’s a perfect solution if you’re working with frozen fruits (as I often am when it comes to cherries). And third of all, you can still include fresh chopped berries that you add in later, so it’s the best of both worlds.
This recipe reminds me of my Black Forest Oatmeal, and I almost called it Black Forest Oatmeal 3.0 (since I’ve made so many versions of this particular flavor). However, I decided against it.
I used chocolate PB2 (obviously), but you can sub in any chocolate nut butter (yes, including Nutella), or you can take regular peanut butter and mix in cocoa powder–and maybe some sweetener if you think it’s necessary.
And don’t forget to participate in the contest to become December’s Oatmeal Enthusiast!
All you have to do is leave comments. See details here.
Random Recommendations:
- [reads] Here’s another new article of mine on ThoughtCatalog: “Dear People with Children: My Life is Not Meaningless“
- [tunes] I’ve always loved DJ Earworm’s annual mash-ups, but somehow I missed the 2014 version. It rocks. Like always.
- [tunes] Many people think Mariah Carey’s best song is “All I Want for Christmas is You.” False. It’s “Always Be My Baby.”
- [stuff] ModCloth has the best selection of skirts around. Flattering silhouettes, modest lengths, and gorgeous patterns.
Cherry-Berry Oatmeal with Chocolate PB2 and Toasted Coconut
What you'll need:
- 3/4 cup milk of choice
- 1/4 cup quick cook steel cut oats
- 5 frozen or fresh cherries, pitted and halved
- 5-10 fresh strawberries (frozen not recommended)
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- serving of chocolate PB2 or nut butter* (OR Faux-reo Cookie PB2)
- unsweetened coconut flakes or chips
- optional: chocolate chips, chunks, or chopped dark chocolate; almonds; strawberries for garnish
For topping
How to make it:
- Add liquid to a saucepan over medium heat. Bring it to a low boil and add oats. Reduce heat to medium low (it should be at a simmer).
- Add halved frozen cherries.
- Dice strawberries (the smaller, the better, in my opinion) and add HALF of them to the oatmeal along with the vanilla extract and salt.
- While you wait, toast your coconut. In a small skillet over medium low heat, add a handful of coconut. Shake the skillet occasionally so the coconut toasts evenly. When coconut starts to show tooasty golden goodness, remove from heat and set aside.
- When you're pleased with the consistency of the oatmeal, stir in the remaining strawberries, and then transfer to a bowl. Add a splash of milk, chocolate PB2, and toasted coconut, and any other optional toppings.
Just an FYI:
* You can make your own chocolate nut butter or PB2 by mixing in a teaspoon of cocoa powder. If desired, you could also add sweetener.
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POSTED IN: almonds, berries, cherries, chocolate, coconut, nut butter, pb2, peanut butter, strawberries
POSTED IN: almonds, berries, cherries, chocolate, coconut, nut butter, pb2, peanut butter, strawberries
Chocolate Chili Cherry Oatmeal
As a herbivore, I have to be selective about my chocolate obsession. Luckily, I have a strong preference for dark chocolate (my motto is “higher than 70% or GTFO”), and many brands of dark chocolate are accidentally vegan. For example, Lindt’s dark chocolate (75% and higher) are all dairy-free.
However, if you want a different variety, such as one with almonds or espresso beans, you’re often out of luck. That’s why I love the Chocolove brand. In addition to their sustainability and social responsibility efforts, they offer several unique dark chocolate varieties that are completely dairy-free!
My favorite of these is–you guessed it–Chilies & Cherries & Dark Chocolate bar. Obviously this bar uses dried cherries, but since it’s prime cherry season, I used the real deal for this oatmeal. (more…)
Shirley Temple Overnight Oatmeal
Oh, nostalgia…
As a child, there was absolutely nothing I looked forward to more than a Shirley Temple. Wedding coming up? SHIRLEY TEMPLES! Going out to eat at the local bar and grill with my granny? SHIRLEY TEMPLES! Eating at the golf clubhouse for lunch? SHIRLEY TEMPLES! (more…)
Cinnamon Zucchini Oatmeal with Cherry-Rhubarb Compote
Upon my first bite of this oatmeal, I may have shouted out the f-word.
The explosion of flavor was too much for my brain to comprehend. The only option was to utter an expletive.
I figured it would be good as I made it (why else would I even try it?). I had absolutely no idea it would be that good. That captivating. That delicious. That intriguing. (more…)
Ambrosia Overnight Oatmeal
Ambrosia reminds me of my high school days working in the deli of my hometown grocery store. Yes, your dear Lauren used to stand behind a counter and weigh super thin slices of smoked turkey, bread and fry chicken, and gobble down leftover chicken thighs at the end of her shift. I was basically a walking tub of grease for two years. To this day, I can’t stand the smell of a deep-fryer…and most fried foods, actually.However, our deli counter also offered a variety of salads. The standards were, of course, potato salad and macaroni salad, but there was also always a couple “sweet salads.” The Midwest is infamous for its…erm…salads (Exhibit A and B). I think Ambrosia is actually “a thing” outside of the Midwest, but it was definitely one of the occasional offerings at my humble little deli.
Any excuse to take out my martini glass, yes?
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Cherry Almond Fudge Oatmeal
Since going to my parents’ house a little over a week ago, I’ve been hooked on my Fudgy Banana & Peanut Butter Oatmeal. Every time that I’ve had to photograph a new recipe–like this one–I basically had to force myself to say “no” to my beloved favorite. This recipe was a little easier to swallow since it’s still “fudgy,” but…no peanut butter?! The horror!
Luckily, I am satisfied with my decision as soon as I take the first bite!
I love cherry season. I think frozen cherries lack flavor, and dried cherries are tough and too chewy. Whenever I have fresh cherries to work with, I am a happy lady.
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Black Forest PB and J Oatmeal
The frustrating part about moving is having such limited groceries. I’m trying not to purchase any excess food before moving day, which means I’m stuck making oatmeal solely from pantry items. Luckily for you AND me, this gave me a reason to finally share a recipe I’ve been hoarding recently.
It’s easy for me to say that this oatmeal can be whipped up without making an extra trip to the store, but it would be delusional of me to think that everyone keeps chocolate nut butter and cherry jam on hand at all times. I do. ^_^ Thus, when I had no fresh fruit this morning, this was the perfect oatmeal to make.
Apricot Cherry Overnight Oatmeal
I achieved the impossible: I snapped an attractive photo of overnight oatmeal! What is it about overnight oats that make them so UN-photogenic? I think that’s one of the reasons why I don’t like posting overnight recipes. I always feel like I’m setting myself up for failure. I loathe putting up a post with sub-par photos (yet I do it all the time).
Confession time: this was the first fresh apricot I’ve ever eaten. Ha! I’ve had many a dried apricot, but never fresh. I bought one last year to make an oatmeal recipe with, but I waited a day too long and it turned rotten before I could cut into it. Dang…I hate wasting food!
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