a pinch of this
September 13, 2010 My oats look a little drab today, but don’t be fooled, they were mighty tasty.
I unpacked a box this morning, only to find my beloved Scottish Oats.
come.to.mamma.
I had about 2T of pumpkin puree leftover, so that went in the mix. That is also why they look slightly brownish/orange.
Creamy Walnut Oats
- 1/3c Scottish Oats
- 1 1/4c water
- 1/4c milk
- 1/2 banana
- vanilla
- 1/2t cinnamon
- 2T pumpkin puree
Topped with
- walnuts
- walnut butter
- coconut butter
I thought of something the other day, when a reader said they found Steel Cut Oats but not Scottish.
Scottish Oats = more finely ground steel cut oats [for more information on the difference between oats check this post]
If you can’t find Scottish Oats –> Grind steel cut pats in a blender or food processor until slightly powdery. You still want some of the crunchy pieces, so just pulse it around a few times. This will also save you money. Steel cut oats can be found in bulk bins and are quite a bit cheaper than Scottish. However, I haven’t actually tried this yet, [hehe] but I’m sure it will work!
Scottish Oats are quicker to cook [about 10min, instead of 20] and they are insanely creamy!! Also, yesterday, Kath ground some of her rolled oats before cooking to create a creamier bowl as well. Yum :)
I’m not sure if I tell you all enough, how much I love you. I LOVE MY READERS!!!!!!!!! You are all full of creative, tasty, fun ideas, and I love when you share them with me. Thank you so much for all of the apple recipe ideas yesterday. I can’t wait to start cooking! The kitchen is about 90% done. I will be back in full force soon!
So far, I have eaten 2 out of about 50 apples. Today, the 2 apples went on my salad, after a reader gave me the idea for an apple + carrot salad.
Brilliant!! The apples turned brown quickly but they still tasted fabulous. This salad was begging for walnuts + figs, so I added those both as well. It got dressed up with olive oil + apple cider vinegar + balsamic vinegar. I ate this alongside a mound of chocolate banana avocado pudding […which Chris does not like, gasp!! Oh well, more for me!] + a leftover stuffed pepper.
I got in a good workout today and am definitely back on track. I typically have a handful of times throughout the year, where for 1-2 weeks, I don’t workout much. It’s either because of traveling, being sick, moving, etc. There is usually a reason behind it though. I never just decide “I’m not going to work out for the next 2 weeks.” When these instances pop up, I try to go with the flow. I don’t freak out, because I know my regular schedule will resume and it’s good to get a break once in awhile.
Today, I located the nearest pool, hopped on my bike and got to swimming. I haven’t been in the pool for about 2 weeks, and I could tell! Instead of counting laps, or doing interval work, I just swam for 40min straight at a comfortable pace. It felt great and so did the 3 mile bike ride there + back.
…
I had another fabulous mail time today :) Did anyone ever watch Blue’s Clues? I know I’m a bit old for it, but my cousin AJ [who I used to babysit all the time] used to love the show…so I had an excuse! Anyway, if you used to watch that show they sang a really cute “mail time” song during every episode. I can’t help but think of that when I get fun packages.
Onward!
Ashley sent me the a box packed full of delicious goodies.
A Vibram five fingers box, nonetheless. ;)
First, her vegan chocolate chip shortbread. mmm mmm mmmm
Barley tea! I have never had this and have no clue what to expect. Anyone ever try this?
A pinch bowl!!!! I have always wanted one of these. :)
I already used it twice!
Cinnamon dried apples. Yummmm
And her secret, homemade, cocoa chai!! [Ashley’s basic chai recipe]
This was just so delicious after a long day of unpacking the house!
I got another package today too!! It was my lucky day!!
The ever so sweet Maddy + Alex, of Love Grown Foods, restocked my pantry with granola!! They sent me all 3 original flavors, plus the new “cocoa goodness” and “simply oats.” Can you guess which of the 5 I broke into first?
This was a no brainer.
A huge thank you to Maddy + Alex!! The Cocoa Goodness was exactly that. It had a huge crunch, [without being so hard it hurts your teeth], and a lovely cocoa flavor that was not overwhelming. My favorite part about their granola, is that it’s not too sweet! Each quarter cup serving has only 6g sugar.
All of their granola is now certified gluten free as well! They are using gluten free oats. I know I talk about their product frequently, but I can’t help it. Their new website + packaging look fabulous and the new flavors are perfection. I’m so excited to see where their company goes next! Thanks again M + A!!
I made a simple dinner tonight, which consisted of short grain brown rice + my go-to curry sauce, with a huge salad on the side. Chris loves this curry sauce, as do I. After dinner I heard a lot of “nom nom nom nom” coming from the huz. That will always make the cook smile!!
Off to recharge and dream of apples!
~Ashley
Reader Comments (44)
I'm glad someone had a happy Monday. Maybe tomorrow will be Terrific Tuesday... let's hope ;)
"I love you, you love me... we're a happ-y [blogging] fam-i-ly." Sorry - had to.
Night!
aw, I LOVE receiving packages in the mail :D I'm doing TWO really fun bloggie exchanges right now and I'm so excited for them to get my boxes! :)
so fun.
your oatmeal looks great... I want to try your new scottish oats method... :)
I loved Blue Clues but I hated Barney! Ahhhh ;) Hope you have a good rest of the week!!
Pacakges are the best! Mmmmmm....that cocoa chai tea sounds deeeelish, especially with some of that vegan shortbread! Will you share? ;)
what wonderful gifts!!!
I'm grinding my steel cuts in the morning. I'll keep you posted on the outcome!
So many packages, you're so lucky! I love getting parcels, espec if they contain food :D
Finally Chris got to try the Chocolate Banana Avocado pudding! Lucky for you he didn't like it. Mines loves it so I am stuffed....Took him a LONG time and some serious clues to guess the final (avocado) ingredient.
Girl... you had an AWESOME Monday! You got a ton of great stuff. I'd be lying if I didn't tell you I was slightly jealous! Yum.
And that salad looks really good! I know that comes as a shock.
hey! did the tea ball work for the chai? lovely photos :) glad you enjoyed everything!
I have a feeling I'll be going through a slight workout hiatus soon. We are getting ready to move and move in with my parents while our house is being built. It's going to be such an adjustment going from working out 2 times a day but I'll manage. Thanks for reminding me that so many others go through the same thing and it's completely fine. :)
What great surprises today!! I love the idea of a pinch bowl for salt.
I am going to have to go look at those apple recipes!! I have tons of apples laying around here - actually about 10 of them are in a wate rpitcher as a centerpiece as we speak :)
dried apples ah those are so addicting!!!
apple carrot salad is a great idea!
you could also make an apple style potato pancake...just shred the apples with some sweet potato mix it with egg, cinnamon, flour and cook in a skillet!
if i remember correctly, the barley tea is smoky tasting. I didn't like it, but my hubz loves it! Let us know what you think.
That is one of the cool things about unpacking... surprises in every box! :)
man, yesterday was quite the day wasn't it?! how awesome you got so many fabulous goodies in one day :)
haha my hubby doesn't like the avocado pudding either, he says it's too chocolatey (is that even possible?!). he's not much into sweets, which stinks cuz i make sweet stuff often so it's up to me and my daughter to eat it all :P i like to put 1/2 dark cocoa powder in it and 1/2 regular, have you tried that?
yay for packages :D blue's clues has been a favorite in this house, i know the mail song you're talking about haha.
Those oats are SO going to be my breakfast tomorrow! had steel cut this morning (Ashley's chai-spiced autumn oats) but I'm going to try your trick for Scottish oats, can't wait!
Oh my word, I would die for that granola! I wish they would ship to Canada, it's so hard to find good gluten free granola here... especially with oats.
Fun goodies! I'm definitely going to try out that grinding the steel cut thing, because I haven't wanted to pay for the bag of Scottish oats, since I don't eat oatmeal very often.
All of Ashley's goodies look awesome too!
What a cute pinch bowl! I have a couple, but I hardly use them. Perhaps I need to break them out from time to time.
here's the mail it never fails...
im so jealous you've been having such fun mail-times! that granola looks amazing!
Fresh figs...you are so lucky. We don't have them where I live. I recently visited the West End Market in Cleveland and found them in droves. I love them so!!
Lucky!
Ashley, I don't own a food processor, but I do have a Magic Bullet and an Oster Grinder. Have you ever tried or know someone who has tried making nut butters in one of these? Buying a food processor is on my list, but it's going to have to wait till next year. I am not going to wait to try the walnut butter till then though, it looks delectable!
Aww I loved Blues Clues back in the day.. Still sing the Mail Time song when I feel so inspired.
The vegan shortbread looks delectable!
I love making applesauce and apple butter with the massive amounts of apples I tend to acquire during the fall months. Plus apple pie always seems so American :)
I must try making this apple butter!!! Everyone has said to give it a go!
I would not advise trying it!! You could probably make coconut butter in the magic bullet. You need dried, unsweetened shredded coconut. It doesn't take long to come together. There is a chance you might be able to make pnut butter, but I'm not sure I would try it. :)
I LOVE the west side market!!!!!!!
I've heard from a few people now, that it works perfectly!
Uh yah, her oats had me drooling! I talked to Maddy about getting the granola to ship to Canada. She said she's working on it, so stay tuned!!
LOL. No, it's not! I've never found dark and regular cocoa! The last time I bought raw cocoa powder, which I'm assuming is dark.
Thanks for the idea. The salad was delicious. I also remembered someone saying something about an apple style sweet potato pancake and I just made those for lunch. Funny that you had BOTH of the ideas!! They were SO freaking delicious.
I turned mine into a centerpiece as I'm using them up too!
It can be frustrating but you'll get back on schedule in no time!! You'll also be burning lots of calories with all of the moving!
Yes it worked perfectly. A little escaped but I think it was mostly the cocoa.
Hahaha...dang..sorry he likes it so much ;) What a good guesser!
Sure thing, come on over!!!
Maddy is amazing! I did email her yesterday, and she's totally willing to ship. she just has to get it to work online. I seriously cannot wait!
Barley tea is a staple in Korea. (Lived there a few years ago.) It tastes like toasted grains, and it's slightly sweet. Boh-ree chah, it's pronounced in Korean. Love it--will have to make some soon.
Thanks for the tea lesson :) I'm always interested in hearing about where foods come from! Thanks dear!
That is aweosme. I'm so glad and yes she is amazing!
Casey is the exact same way with fruit - it's weird. He NEVER things to just pick it up and eat it, and then I am left scrambling trying to eat an entire bag of peaches. The only fruit he willingly serves himself is bananas.
In other randomness (you can ramble, I can ramble), I was on the Vibrams website this morning (want a pair!) and there is a barefoot 5k in Colorado coming up. Realize CO is big, and have no idea if it's near you...
http://www.thenakedfoot5k.com/
Ohhhh boys are so weird. Ahhh, I would love to run that. Still, very slowly, strengthening my feet. I'm so scared to get that top of the foot pain back..errrr
Yes, Barley tea is SO good! I drink it every day instead of water. :-) You can drink it cold or hot.