The Perfect Bowl of Oatmeal

by Anjali @ The Picky Eater on March 7, 2012

I am totally a creature of habit.

When I was growing up, I pretty much had the same thing for breakfast from the time I was 5 to the time I was 18. And what was this wonderful dish that was the star of my breakfast for almost 15 years?

Oatmeal.

Yes, oatmeal.

And to this day, I have never gotten tired of it. I absolutely adore oatmeal. It’s delicious and creamy, hearty and satisfying. It’s also amazingly good for you: with 130-150 calories, 5g fiber and 5g protein for 1/2 cup of rolled oats (which makes up to 2 cups of cooked oatmeal).

It’s the perfect healthy breakfast, and it’s so easy to make!

It’s also just a great base for all kinds of toppings:

  • Milk like: 1% organic cows milk, unsweetened almond milk, or unsweetened soy milk
  • Nuts like: Walnuts and Almonds (two of my favorites)
  • Fruits like: Berries, Apples, Pears, Bananas
  • Seeds like: Chia or Flax
  • Spices like: Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Unsweetened cocoa powder,
  • Nut butters like: Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, Sunflower Seed Butter
  • Sweeteners like: Agave, Honey, Maple Syrup
  • Slightly more decadent toppings like: Dark chocolate chips, granola, shredded coconut, fruit butters

You can seriously never get bored of oatmeal: there are so many ways you can dress it up - the possibilities are endless.

But there’s one combination of ingredients that I think really makes the perfect bowl of oatmeal. So here is my recipe for the perfect breakfast: Oatmeal with Berries, Walnuts, Spices, and Creamy Milk.

The Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats, or 1/2 cup multi-grain oats (Country Choice has a variety with oats, wheat, rye and barley that’s heartier than just plain oats)
  • 1.5 cups of water
  • 1/2 cup – 3/4 cup of frozen organic wild blueberries
  • 1 Tbsp chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup 1% organic milk, or 1/2 cup unsweetened soy milk, or 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • Stevia, Agave, or Honey to taste (no more than 1 Tbsp honey or agave)
The Directions
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Step 1: Cook the oats with the water in the microwave for 2 minutes. Stir, and cook again in the microwave for 1-2 minutes more until all the water is absorbed
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Step 2: Stir in the blueberries, cinnamon and walnuts

I like using frozen, organic, wild blueberries: they’re a little smaller than regular blueberries, they’re a superfood, and I’ve heard they have more antioxidants than regular blueberries.

Why do I buy them frozen? Because: 1) They’re fresh year-round 2) They become all melty and warm in the oatmeal and 3) They never go bad!

Walnuts are another great superfood because they have tons of Omega 3 healthy fats, and they add a nice texture to the oatmeal too.

Step 3: Stir in the the milk and agave/stevia/honey until the oatmeal is creamy and the consistency you like.

I like mine super creamy, can you tell?

This whole recipe is about 250 calories, with about 8g fiber and 10g protein. It truly is the perfect morning breakfast. Enjoy!

http://pickyeaterblog.com/

{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }

Belinda @zomppa November 10, 2010 at 8:20 pm

Nice perfect breakfast! I’m trying to eat more oatmeal, so thank you!

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Anjali @ The Picky Eater November 11, 2010 at 11:12 pm

Thanks! I hope this recipe inspired you to eat more oatmeal and try different mix-ins! :)

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Baking Serendipity November 10, 2010 at 8:38 pm

I’m such a creature of habit too. I could eat this every morning no problem…your add-ins are great :)

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anjalim November 12, 2010 at 12:53 am

Thank you so much!! :)

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Kim - Liv Life November 10, 2010 at 9:17 pm

Nicely done!!! Never thought of the frozen blueberries… brilliant idea!

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Anjali @ The Picky Eater November 11, 2010 at 11:13 pm

Thanks! Yes – frozen fruit mixed in oatmeal is just the best – you forget that it was ever frozen to begin with!

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BigFatBaker November 10, 2010 at 9:35 pm

I love oatmeal too! I used to eat it every day before school. My favorite mix in was always a little spoonful of peanut butter.

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anjalim November 12, 2010 at 12:48 am

Ooooh I love peanut butter – never tried it in oatmeal though – great idea! :)

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Kimmie November 10, 2010 at 10:36 pm

That sounds delicious! I’ve seen so many delicious oatmeal recipes popping up – I may have to break out of my plain rolled oats habit!

It was lovely meeting you this weekend!

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anjalim November 12, 2010 at 12:47 am

Thanks Kimmie! It was great meeting you too! Looking forward to following your blog :)

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Jeanette November 11, 2010 at 5:23 am

I make oatmeal for my kids almost every morning when the weather is cooler. Blueberries and nuts are a great addition.

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Anjali @ The Picky Eater November 12, 2010 at 11:16 pm

My mom used to make oatmeal for me all the time too :) That’s how I grew to love it to begin with!

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Lori Lynn @ Taste With The Eyes November 11, 2010 at 8:56 am

healthy AND delicious – nice combination of toppings!
LL

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Anjali @ The Picky Eater November 12, 2010 at 11:17 pm

Thanks Lori! I know you’ll love this recipe!

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jensheps November 11, 2010 at 4:51 pm

I eat this every day, and have been meaning to blog it! Perfectly said, will share! Thank you!

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anjalim November 12, 2010 at 12:46 am

Thanks so much for the comment and pingback! :)

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Andrea@High/Low November 12, 2010 at 8:40 am

Lovely meeting you at Foodbuzz and hope you enjoyed our foodie gifts! So funny that you posted about basically my exact daily breakfast (my version: TJ’s oatmeal + TJ organic blueberries + TJ Vanilla Soy milk + TJ crunchy PB).

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anjalim November 13, 2010 at 3:42 pm

haha! that is awesome. I really have to try this PB in oatmeal thing – you’re the second person who has mentioned it to me! I loved the foodie gifts btw – the dark chocolate was to die for! Thanks again and definitely stay in touch :)

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Robyn @ Wannabe Writer Runner November 12, 2010 at 3:40 pm

I’m a creature of habit with my meals too! Love oatmeal, I don’t know why I never put frozen berries in it though. Looks so good.

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Anjali @ The Picky Eater November 17, 2012 at 11:18 pm

Haha love that we’re both creatures of habit!! :) Hope you like the frozen berries when you try them!

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lgm February 26, 2011 at 6:25 am

sounds delicious! i am trying to count my calories in addition to eating cleaner! can you tell me how much of everything you added to your oatmeal? thanks!

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anjalim February 28, 2011 at 1:14 pm

Absolutely! I used the following proportions: 1/2 cup of rolled oats/wheat/barley/rye – in the 4 grain mixture, 1.5 cups of water to cook it, about 1/2-3/4 cup of the milk, 1/2-3/4 cup of blueberries, and about 1 Tbsp walnuts chopped. Hope that helps!

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Samantha March 8, 2012 at 8:48 am

I love oatmeal and I never get tired of it either! I like to put a cut up banana in mine just before its done cooking and then continue to add whatever else floats my boat that morning!

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Anjali @ The Picky Eater March 8, 2012 at 11:31 am

Banana in oatmeal really is great – I like making my Banana Bread Oatmeal by adding walnuts and cinnamon to it!

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Tori (@eatori) March 8, 2012 at 10:39 am

Gracious I love oatmeal. Toasted almonds and frozen raspberries with yogurt is my favourite combination.

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Anjali @ The Picky Eater March 8, 2012 at 11:29 am

Oooh yogurt in oatmeal is a great idea! I bet it makes it a lot more creamy and amps up the protein. I’ll have to try that soon!

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Arpita March 8, 2012 at 12:17 pm

I’m starting to love oatmeal as well. I make it about the same way but I’ve seen a lot of ‘spicy indian oatmeal khichdi’ recipes with sauteed onion, some veggies, cumin, garlic, spices and then oatmeal and water added and ready to eat in about 5 mins. Have you ever tried it before? I’m curious to see how it looks and tastes!

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Anjali @ The Picky Eater March 8, 2012 at 12:23 pm

Oh wow!! That sounds so interesting – I’ve always thought that oatmeal could be a base for something savory, but I’ve never tried it myself. You’ve inspired me though – I might just make this recipe soon! If I like it, I’ll be sure to post it here :) Thanks for the idea!!

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Arpita March 8, 2012 at 6:05 pm

Yes please!! I’ll look forward to it!

Vai March 8, 2012 at 2:42 pm

Wow this is such a great recipe! I made it as a late night snack. I wish there was more cafes that serve healthy oatmeal like this. Keep up the good work!

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Anjali @ The Picky Eater March 9, 2012 at 12:22 pm

Thanks so much Vai!! This is a perfect late night snack because it’s healthy and won’t weigh you down right before you go to bed :) So glad you liked it!!

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Sanne March 10, 2012 at 8:14 am

This is great! I love oatmeal for breakfast, so yummy :) I’m trying to handle being vegan in a country where no such thing is ever heard of (Holland) so I joined wordpress with a fashion+food+photography blog to gain knowledge to the veganworld and so far it has been great!!

If you’d like to check out my blog: http://fashionfoodfight.wordpress.com/
Have a wonderful day!

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Anjali @ The Picky Eater March 12, 2012 at 10:09 pm

Oh wow!! That must be a challenge – I’m sure you’ll do great though! :) Btw – love your green pea soup recipe, can’t wait to try it!

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Sanne March 19, 2012 at 2:54 am

That’s so sweet :) Let me know if you do!

Your blog is such amazing inspiration xo

Debbie Palmer March 19, 2012 at 12:32 pm

This looks delicious. I’m definitely going to try it.

Love your blog too : )

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Anjali @ The Picky Eater March 19, 2012 at 12:40 pm

Thank you so much Debbie! Let me know how you like it! :)

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Anjali @ The Picky Eater March 19, 2012 at 12:44 pm

Aw thank you soo much Sanne!! And yes, I’ll definitely let you know when I try your soup!

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