Tag Archives: nuts

Salted Mango Coconut Oatmeal

I may crave peanut butter and bananas hardcore during the fall and winter months, but during the spring and summer, I definitely crave a different flavor. I’ve noticed that everyone’s cravings change with the seasons*, and my oatmeal is no exception. These tropical, fruity, and citrusy porridge recipes I’ve been craving are lighter and more refreshing than my usual cozy bowls.

*But let’s be honest, peanut butter is appropriate 365 days a year.

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For this recipe, I was inspired by these popsicles. I never would have considered salting a tropical recipe like this, but these popsicles were so visually appealing that I wanted to grab one from the screen and try it out. However, I’m perpetually cold (just ask the students who sweat to death in my classroom), so I had no desire to make popsicles. Then I thought, why not try it as oatmeal? So I did.
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Baklava Oatmeal

I’ve had baklava once. Just once.I was eating lunch with a beloved professor of mine on a visit back to my college town. She had ordered a slice of baklava, and she offered me a bite. I remembered detecting such incredible flavors: the honey, cinnamon, and pistachio. I never had it again, and after going vegan, I didn’t think I ever would.

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This is far from a flaky phyllo slice of heaven, but the flavors are there. Don’t skimp on the cinnamon; trust me, you need the whole teaspoon! As for the banana? It’s completely optional. The honey sweetens it enough on its own; the banana just adds nutrition and texture.
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Pomegranate Nut Butter Oatmeal

I love pomegranates. I love nut butter. The two were bound to meet.

You can use any nut butter for this recipe, and I can imagine that almond butter or PB&Co.’s Dark Chocolate Dreams would be fantastic here. If you’re super fancy, you could even go so far as using pistachio butter (look at you!).

Me? I used crunchy peanut butter. Shocked? You shouldn’t be.
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Strawberry Almond Oatmeal

Inspired by my recent Berry, Almond, & Coconut Oatmeal, I realized I haven’t done enough with almond extract. So many possibilities!

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My favorite aspect of almond extract (besides its taste) is the intensity of its flavor. This allows me to (drum roll please) . . .use the hidden banana trick! Oatmeal without banana is like a cookie without chocolate chips (a poor analogy, considering my favorite cookie is a snickerdoodle).

Anyway, strawberries have been–inexplicably–on sale and in great quality at my local produce market, so I’ve been enjoying them in my oatmeal and salads. Combined with the nutty almond extract, this oatmeal is a fresh and fruity delight.

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PB and J Muesli

There is neither peanut butter nor jelly in this muesli (although I definitely contemplated both). Instead, it contains a delicious mix of fresh grapes, crushed peanuts, and (bonus!) sliced bananas, flax, and raisins. It’s like PB&J, in a muesli-friendly form.

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Thanksgiving PB and J Oatmeal (with Pecan Butter and Cranberry Sauce)

You may have thought that I had already used every possible PB&J combo. Well, you were wrong. I got fancy.

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What is Thanksgiving PB&J? Thanksgiving PB&J uses pecan butter instead of peanut butter. Thanksgiving PB&J uses cranberry sauce instead of grape/strawberry jelly. Thanksgiving PB&J will blow yo’ mindz.
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Kiwi, Green Apple, and Pistachio Oatmeal

Last week, I talked about how crazy my life was as a teacher. I’m happy to announce that I’m slowly getting my “ish” together. I enjoyed a lovely 15 hours grading essays over the weekend (yippee), but besides that, I’m feeling things slowing down.

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Anyway, this recipe features an odd assortment of ingredients. Essentially, I was inspired by green. I can’t remember how this recipe started in my imagination, but I simply kept adding on to it with more green things. It continued to morph as it went through the process. Even when I first made it, I decided to add lemon extract at the last second. No regrets–the touch of citrus made these ingredients dance. Lime juice might be pleasant, too.

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Berry Pistachio Oatmeal

A few weeks ago, I splurged on pistachios. It felt irresponsible at the time, but then I tasted one.

It’s not like I had never had a pistachio before. However, I think I’ve only ever had it in mixes of nuts, and the individual varieties kind of lose their distinct flavors.

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It’s been difficult for me to save these pistachios for oatmeal only (I often crave just snacking on them), but this recipe received the prestigious honor.
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Pomegranate Muesli

I am all about the muesli lately. It all happened when I discovered that pomegranate seeds make the best friggin’ muesli ever. Why?! Because they can make the bulk of your muesli instead of nuts and dried fruit, which are wonderful and nutrient-dense, but they’re also crazy filling and dried fruit is a ton of sugar. So using pomegranates? Brilliant.

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Pomegranates are crunchy like a nut or seed, but sweet like dried fruit. They have the added bonus of being absolutely beautiful to look at.
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Autumn Muesli

I don’t know what it is about muesli lately, but I am all about it. I think it’s because I’ve been setting my electric blanket too high at night, and when I wake up in the morning, all I want is cold muesli.

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This muesli essentially just celebrates autumn. Okay, so maybe pumpkin didn’t make it in (don’t worry, that’s coming!), BUT there are pepitas, which are pumpkin seeds, so . . . I guess that counts! I also used dried apples, raisins, golden raisins, dried cranberries, and pecan pieces. DIVINE.

My first bites were certainly pleasant, but I felt that something was missing. It was almost too light and bright and sunshiny. It needed more autumn. I took a risk and added a dash of cinnamon, and wow, it made all the difference!
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