Quaker Oats Peaches and Cream oatmeal is most definitely a meal that sends me straight back to my childhood. My grandmother made it for me almost every morning in a very specific way (even I can't replicate) and it may be the reason I was such a happy child. Ok, I guess there may have been a few other reasons, but I definitely need to give the oatmeal major kudos.
Even in my adult life, I crave it. Now, probably, because I'm addicted to carbs and sugar, and the crap in that package has more sugar in it then a pitcher of kool-aid. Also, did you know the fruit in the fruit'n'cream variety are actually apples... not peaches at all. I felt duped when I first found out.
Even though I steer clear of the processed Quaker Oats, oatmeal is still an excellent, nutritious meal when done well. It's low in calories and extremely filling, stabilizing blood sugar and reducing the risk of diabetes. It's high in fiber and protein and low in fat. It's great for controlling your blood pressure and weight loss.
Oh, and it's delicious.
Over the years, I've begun to prefer steel cut oats over rolled oats. The texture is different and for some can be off putting, but it's what I like best about it. It's like a party in your mouth. Well.... it isn't vodka or anything, but y'know... I do eat rolled oats uncooked with cocoa powder and cold almond coconut milk though. You could definitely sub the cocoa powder for chocolate flavored protein powder for added goodness.
Steel cut oats take a little more work to prepare and I prefer to do it in the crock pot because... well, because I'm lazy. This is my favorite method.
Easy Crock Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal
This is so super easy, it's silly.
:ingredients:
2 cups steel cut oats (cheapest in the bulk section at your grocery store)
6 cups unsweetened almond milk
(I love Almond Breeze Almond Coconut Blend.
Califia Farms is delish too, but more expensive and harder to find.)
1 cup water
any toppings (fruit, chocolate chips, nuts, nut butter, anything)
Throw in a crock pot for about 2 hours on high or try it overnight on low. My crock pot is a bitch and burns it every time I try this overnight. She won the argument, so I do the 2 hour method.
Makes 8 1 cup servings of less-than-200-calorie bliss.
:a couple of tips:
- Use the crock pot liners. They were made by the heavens and are holy.
- Divide into 1 cup portions in a large muffin tin and freeze. Once solid, put your pre-portioned breakfast in a freezer bag and you have breakfast made! microwave for 60-90 seconds. My microwave is bitchy too, so hopefully you have a better relationship with your appliances.
- Try 1/2 cup servings for an excellent, filling, less than-100-calorie snack.
- Seriously, you can add ANYTHING you want to this either during the cooking process or while serving. I added fresh ground peanut butter and bananas this morning and I just about peed my pants it was so good.
- Kids LOVE this. Like, LOVE.
What's your favorite oatmeal topping??
