Bananas Foster Flavored Oats!

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"Never work before breakfast; if you have to work before breakfast, eat your breakfast first."~ Josh Billings

While I pondered boozing up my breakfast bananas I refrained, not for any particular reason, but something felt wrong about rum in the morning, unless you're on some tropical island.

Anyway, I think I've had bananas foster only once or twice in my lifetime (ya know, when they light them on fire?). I distinctly recall loving the warm, softened bananas that were glazed over with cinnamon infused goodness. While OATS need no introduction I thought it would be fun to get to know OATS beyond the funny character on the quaker oat container (I believe he's made up).

STUFF TO KNOW

Besides the fact that oats are good in cookies.

How come there are so many versions of oats? I've only heard of Quaker? While we all love Quaker, let me explain.

1. Oat Groats: Yes you can make GROATMEAL. But I don't think I'll try this, groats are the most "as is" form of this grain and are used as feed for animals. I mean us humans can eat them but they take longer to cook and digest a lot slower (not a bad thing). Not for me.

2. Steel-cut oats: (Also known as Irish oats) Cute little bead like balls. They are dense and chewy in texture and are produced by running the grain through steel blades that thinly slices them. Cooking time is 20 minutes +.

3. Scottish Oats: . (Love em!)I call this the level three oat, they goe through an additional steaming process which produces a creamier texture. (Love em!)

4. Old-fashioned oats: These oats are steamed, THEN rolled (literally) and have a flatter shape that is the result of this process. Cook time is about 10 mins or so if you add in the boiling water process (or just nuke em).

5. Quick-cooking oats: processed like old-fashioned oats, except they are cut finely before rolling (hence the faster cooking time).

6. Instant oatmeal: produced by partially cooking the grains and then rolling them very thin. Often times, sugar, salt and other ingredients are added to make the finished product.

So is there a real difference?

YES, the textures of them all and the cooking times, however, nutritionally they are all similar even though the more milling the oat goes through the more losses you'll have nutritionally.

Here's an Awesome Breakfast that kinda went dessert-like.

Who's gonna argue with me? I dare ya.

RECIPE

Serves: 1 (can easily be doubled and so on)

Ingredients:

For the Bananas Foster (no booze-but boozey for dessert later)

  • 1 tsp. butter (I used earth balance spread)
  • 1 Tablespoon pear or other juice (i.e. orange)
  • 2-3 teaspoons maple sugar (or granulated sugar-I use HAIN organics)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg)
  • 1 banana, ripened and diced (or mushed in my case)

For the Oatmeal

  • 1 cup almond milk (or substitute)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cinnamon (I just love it so I added a pinch or so to the milk)
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats (or any other oat you want)

Methods:

Oatmeal:

Pour almond milk into a medium size saucepan. Add vanilla extract and cinnamon (optional). Bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, add oats, stir to combine and cook for an additional five minutes or until desired consistency.

While the oats are cooking, make the Bananas:

Dice or mush the banana and set aside. Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the butter, juice and sugar and heat until sugar has dissolved. Add vanilla extract and spices, mix to combine. Add the bananas and cook a minute or so so that a glaze forms.

Add the bananas to the oatmeal in a bowl and serve! Top with a few crushed, toasted nuts and a little maple syrup if you wish.

Tips:

  • Try steel-cut if you have the time.
  • Add almond or peanut butter (1 Tablespoon) for an obvious nutty flavor. Then call it MONKEY BANANA OATS.
  • BONUS RECIPE USE! Replace the juice in the banana recipe if you desire and use dark rum (beware that you need to add rum into pan AWAY from the stove, then place back on the stove or you'll light your hair on fire and probably the entire kitchen). Make the bananas and SERVE over ice cream (vanilla), frozen yogurt or vanilla greek yogurt!

What's your favorite oatmeal recipe? DO SHARE!

Do you eat them? Hate them?

Don't eat Breakfast? SHAME ON YOU! READ THIS to find out why you should.

Enjoy!

Jen