This past weekend, I combined my love for chocolate cacao nibs and steel cut oatmeal and thus, a perfect new–to–me breakfast was born. Their slight acidity, earthy flavor and crunch makes them an ideal pair to a bowl of comforting oatmeal. And a little chocolate never hurt first thing in the morning!
Cacao nibs are the dried, fermented seed of the cocoa pod. They are the basis of chocolate products, and have a very chocolatey taste and aroma, minus the sweetness. You can find them at a local natural foods store (any Whole Foods will have them too). I keep mine in the freezer to retain the freshness.
Related: What Can I do with Cacao Nibs?
(Image: Leela Cyd Ross)
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Ground cacao nibs = unsweetened cocoa powder?
The oatmeal looks amazing! How did you make it? IS that caramel?
Where on earth do you find cocoa nibs at a Whole Foods?! I've been trying to find them at three different stores in the DC area with no success and when I ask employees, they look at me like I have three heads.
What an indulgent way to start the morning. It reminds me of stirring chocoalte chips into my plain Malt-o-Meal when I was a kid. Good memories.
@Kestrel127 I've found them in the bulk section sometimes -- much cheaper than buying packaged ones too, usually.
CACAO!
well done, HMK.
Ooh! I love cacao nibs. I cannot wait to try this! :-)
@Kestrel127 In DC I have bought them at YES Organic Market. I don't know if all of their locations carry them, but the one in Petworth has them.
I discovered cacao nibs at a little chocolate shop in Northern Michigan, and the first thing I tried them was on my morning oatmeal. Now I crave them on my oatmeal, I run out and I cannot wait for a new order to be delivered. They have just enough crunch and flavor to turn bland oatmeal into absolute delicious!
I love LOTS of cinnamon and maple syrup. YUM!
Yes, Leela, what else did you put in there?-- because the whole thing looks amazing. Pears? And what is the syrupy stuff? I may need to make second breakfast...