For many people, fall is the beginning of oatmeal season. Long gone are the days of yogurt and berries, replaced instead by hearty bowls of steaming oats. And while brown sugar, honey and nuts are all delicious toppings, there are infinite possibilities on the savory side of things.
I visited a new Oatmeal Bar called Oatmeals in New York City last week, and fell in love with the innovative menu that boasted both sweet and savory morning (or afternoon) meals. I tried the Croque Monsieur Oats, studded with bits of ham, parmesan cheese, a little cream, black pepper and sea salt. I left and immediately began searching for similar recipes to make this upcoming week. Maybe you'll join me?
Try a Recipe:
• Steel-Cut Oats with Balsamic Fig Reduction (pictured) - Nugget Market
• Mark Bittman's Savory Oatmeal with Scallions and Soy Sauce - Serious Eats
• Oatmeal with Apples, Gruyere and Rosemary - Shelbs and Cheese
• Sexed-Up Savory Oatmeal - Penny De Los Santos
• Curried Oatmeal with Caramelized Onions - Tea and Cookies
• Vegetable Oats Upma - Taste Palettes
• Savory Oatmeal and Soft-Cooked Egg - Martha Stewart
Related: Gorgonzola, Walnut and Grape Oatmeal Recipe
(Image: Nugget Market)
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I add a tablespoon or so of peanut butter to my instant oatmeal (McCann's) at work each day -- tasty, filling and a nice break from the sugar and fake dried fruit bits. Frank Bruni suggested this in a column and it's a great idea.
You do know that the "blueberries" in instant oatmeal are actually freeze-dried apple bits dyed blue, don't you?
One of my favorite oatmeals has figs, walnuts and mandarin oranges.
Another is blackstrap molasses and mixed nuts and butter or chunky peanut butter. Tastes like Cracker Jacks.
In both, a pinch of ground anise seed adds another dimension to the flavor.
In China, congee is a very popular breakfast. It's rice porridge with savory bits of veggies and meats/fish added. I would imagine you could do the same thing with oatmeal.
Peanut butter and banana is one of my favourites. I like to stir an egg in too for extra protein and creaminess. I'd like to try making porridge inspired by carbonara - pancetta, parmesan and an egg with black pepper.
My two favorite savory oatmeal recipes are:
Reheated steelcut oats + sesame oil, soy sauce, scallions (add poached egg if u have time)
Reheated steelcut oats + Shredded zucchini + goat cheese crumbles + black pepper
It's not entirely savory but goat cheese, walnuts and a swirl of honey are a winner.
My fave is oatmeal with a chopped heirloom tomato, parsley, olive oil, salt and plenty of black pepper.
love oatmeal with goat milk and lots of salt & black pepper.
I primarily eat my oats savory. Poached egg with soy sauce, sesame seeds and oil, and green onions is the one most often lately. Others are poached egg with whatever cheese is laying around, and peas with parmesan and pepper.
My favorite way to eat oatmeal is with Parmesan, olive oil, and lots of salt and pepper. I usually top with an egg (or stir it in). If I have kale, I cook that in the pan with the egg and add it on top.