there’s always time for breakfast
March 15, 2011 Despite how busy I’ve been lately, I still make time for breakfast.
Who am I kidding? I make time for every meal. But breakfast is one that I just have to get right. I hate when my oats turn out sub-par, or when a smoothie is just “okay.” You know when you eat the meal, because you don’t want to be wasteful, but it really doesn’t taste that great? Hate that, especially in the morning!
This may look like a plain bowl of oats to you.
But if you look closer, you may see the deliciousness that lies within!
What type of oats would taste good with maple syrup on top? Okay, well, all oats, but what specific type?
Any guesses?
French toast oats!
These were cooked on the stove top, so don’t expect any type of crunchy toast-action, like the real thing. However, these were about as similar in taste to French toast as oats can get!
The secret?
1 whole egg! I’ve been putting in egg whites all this time but why waste the nutritious yolk when you can make this!?
French Toast Oatmeal [serves 1]
- 1/3c rolled oats [I used 1/4c rolled + 2T steel cut, for crunch]
- 1 large egg, whisked
- 1/2 banana, thinly sliced
- 1t cinnamon
- 1t vanilla extract
- 1/2c water
- 3/4c unsweetened almond milk
- 1T ground flax meal
- 1T pure maple syrup
- 1/4c chopped walnuts
- In a small pot, over medium heat, whisk the oats, cinnamon, sliced banana, water + almond milk together.
- Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a low boil.
- Whisk 2-3x while cooking, until almond all the liquid is absorbed. ~6-10min depending on pan + stove type
- Whisk in flax meal + vanilla. Let cook 1 minute.
- Vigorously whisk in 1 [pre-whisked] egg for about 15 seconds, until thoroughly combined.
- Let cook, without stirring, for 2min.
- Pour into a bowl and top with nuts + maple syrup.
This was incredibly creamy + thick and tasted like no bowl of oats I’ve ever had. I think I’m done with just adding the 1 egg white. Gimme’ that full egg! I loved mixing rolled oats with 2T of steel cut oats. The texture difference, compared to plain rolled oats, was much better!
After doing a few hours of computer work, I hit up my 2nd home [Home Depot and/or Lowes] and then hit up my 3rd home [the new house]. I got back to priming the walls and am ALMOST done. Well, I would say I’m 75% done priming. Still need to prime the kitchen, once the new drywall is put into place, and the 3rd bedroom.
Painting alone is b.o.r.i.n.g. and at least when 2 people are there you see double the progress!
Did I mention we have to also start packing up the current house we live in??? Gaaaaaaasp!
Enough whining…here’s my lunch!
Packed up picnic style again. It was really nice outside, so I sat on our front step and soaked up some sun.
- 2 large carrots
- 1 apple
- ~1/3c almonds + walnuts + a few nut clusters [for a little suga’]
- 2 plain Lundberg rice cakes with pb + j
Simple. Delicious. Nutritious.
I worked at the house from noon –> 4:30. I figured I would spare you more photos of white walls. ;) When I got home I made lunch #2, which consisted of:
- leftover tofu stir-fry
- puffed amaranth cereal
- nut butter from the jar
- 1/2 GF bagel with butter
I realize that is quite the random assortment!
It’s 11:02pm and I’m almond almost done blogging?? I haven’t finished before midnight in the past two weeks! Maybe I can actually get to bed by midnight!
I wanted to thank all of you for the lovely comments on yesterday’s detox post. I’m still reading through them and responding. I loved hearing all of your personal stories on this topic. It’s all extremely interesting to me! I’ll keep you posted on any new findings with my diet.
That’s a wrap!
Ashley
Recipes, eggs, french toast, oatmeal, steel cut oats, walnuts 
Reader Comments (64)
Om nom nom, I'll have to try the egg-in-oats thing now. Man reading your blog before I go to bed is a mistake because I just want it to be morning so I can eat!
I took your advice and added an egg white to my oats this morning but now I guess I'm gonna have to try adding the whole egg. P.S. I love when you write "almond" instead of almost, he he :)
Did I do it again??? Geeeez...I even proofread it!
Um that looks amazing! and i was about to comment about the almond/almost bit but i guess someone beat me to it ;) haha too funny! :)
I add a whole egg to my oats, too. Mostly because I don't want to waste the yolk, lol.
Mmmm i love eggy oats :D Those are some awesome and wholesome foods! I just have to have variety of everything even if the pairings are odd. So it all looks good to me :P
Your detox post was fabulous, btw. My own journey thru food allergies and what works, what doesnt, what I can have traces of, what I cant or shouldnt...it's been 25 years in the making of detective work. And like with photography, with food allergies, we are never "done" learning what works and what doesnt and there's so many variables!
I cant believe you have to pack. The suckiest job in the world, IMO!
The oats...YUM!!!! :)
I've never thought to use the whole egg! I bet they keep you full for a while that way.
French toast!! Yum!
Those oats sound fabulous!!! Haha, Home Depot and Lowes is where we spend the majority of our free time as well. I hope that ends soon because my wallet is starting to feel the effects.
Those oats look so good! I love anything that tastes like french toast! Lowes was my second home last year too - you won't miss it once it's over. :)
I love that you made your sandwich on rice cakes! Love the lunch and the oats, but really, there isn't much you could do to oats to make me not like them. I would have to blast some crazy music and sing at the top of my lungs if I was painting by myself. When I painted the bathroom and hallway alone, I cranked up the "Big Chill" soundtrack and some Dido. Good luck today. I hope you get through the painting soon!
I've said it before and I'll say it again -- you're a genius. french toast oatmeal!? sign me up. I know what I'm making for breakfast tomorrow!
I love your assortment lunches! I love having lots of little tastes of things for a meal...it makes it gastronomicly interesting.
Happy painting (if you can make it happy!) Cheers,
Lauren
Always looking for new twists on a good bowl of oats! I've never added egg to mine before but if it is as incredible as you say I think I will just have to next time :). Can't beat a good dose of protien with breakfast!
I've heard of people putting egg whites into oats, but a whole egg is a great idea -- I love the taste of french toast. This looks delicious!
Hehe, that's TOTALLY my type of lunch/ snacks. Give me some veggies and nut butter, as well as other crunchy accouterments, and I'm one happy girl!
Have a good and accomplished day! :)
I love adding an egg to my oats! It makes it so custard like, plus I just love eggs like crazy.
Breakfast is a definite must for me too!
Hope you like it!
Thanks girlie. :) And I LOVE that you used the word "gastronomically!!!"
I know!! I never thought I'd be saying..."I have to go pick up some spackle today." lol
So very true Averie!! And yeah...packing again. 4th time in 1.5 years...sickening!
French toast + oatmeal = genius! And I totally have those ikea dish towels! :)
When I look at your photos, I feel like the kid in kindergarten who just acquired enough self-consciousness to go, "Oh. My crayon drawing looks like scribbles. That girl's is clearly a regal, decorated horse with shadowing. Crap." hehehe. Just teasin', but I am very inspired by your mad skillz. ;) I love that you wrapped your apple in foil...haha.
We moved literally 3 times in less than 9 months last year. I still have nightmares.
hahahaa Thanks chica! ;) Gotta keep the apple clean!
I ADORE eggs n oats (or oat bran)! The yolk is key.
When my dad was working on his basement he called The Home Depot his second home as well. He went about 5x a week and eventually some of the employees learned his name.
UM, yeah. Making French toast oats, soon! Those sound AMAZING :) And I totally know the feeling of making something that doesn't taste as great as you'd like. I'm really touch-and-go trial-and-error with my smoothies these days.
Hope the packing goes well!!!
sounds tasty! i should start having mini picnics once the weather stays nice :)
sounds yummy! i have a suggestion! why don't you broil it for a couple of minutes to get a crust like french toast? :D i'm totally doing that when it's oatmeal season again!
Great idea! It's always oatmeal season in this house! ;)
You know, I read this everyday and I feel like I'm reading about my life right now! I'm in Denver, my boyfriend and I just bought a house and moved in this past weekend. We were painting/fixing/priming/moving/packing etc. at the same time going back and forth between living spaces. On top of that my work has been INSANE and so has his. I'm so tired!
...but it's so worth it. Wasn't it just beautiful today?? MAN!
LOL...Hmmm, this sounds oddly familiar..funny you're in CO too! It was gorgeous today! I've been taking breaks to eat lunch outside and it's so nice!
BARF!!! hahaha
Haahaa...I don't want to get to that point! :)
Tried the oatmeal...loved it...thank you!!
Oh my gosh. I'd eat this for dinner.
Brilliant!!! I am a huge fan of the yolk... don't fear it, people! ;)
I made french toast oatmeal for breakfast and it definitely lived up to my expectations :) thanks for the inspiration!
Yaaaay :) You're so welcome!
Shucks, I never thought to put an egg in my oats! I tried your recipe for lunch today. So yummy & filling!! Thanks :)
You're welcome!!
I made these oats this morning; one word: phenomenal :). I've never had eggy oats before, but wow - what a fantastic consistency. Thanks for another great recipe, Ashley!
So glad you liked them Lauren!
Oh my goodness! I love adding egg whites, but have NEVER thought about adding the whole thing! I can't wait to try this!!
[...] Inspiration: Edible Perspective [...]
[...] (7:00am) Ashley’s French Toast Oats topped with cocoa almonds, dried cherries, and carob chips (and a mug of un-pictured 1/2 caf coffee [...]
French toast oats, YUM! I have added egg whites to my oats before but never really thought to add the whole egg for some reason! I may just have to give this a try in the morning, looks and sounds amazing!!
It is SO delicious!
[...] have time to make Ashley’s french toast oats. [...]