just add water
March 26, 2011 Whenever I make oats, it’s a given that I add the following:
- almond milk
- water
- vanilla
- cinnamon
- banana
I’ve been making oats like that for well over a year now, but I’ve been eating oats for over half of my life. It was only about 3 years ago that I started eating rolled oats and not instant. Hellloooo life change! When I would make rolled oats, I would stir in butter, brown sugar + peanut butter. Now I never stir in my toppings. I love the glob of nut butter on top most of all!
So, the other night I wanted to try making savory oats for dinner, so I could use my smoked paprika almond butter. I can’t do savory oats for breakfast, and I’ve only made them 1 other time, ever. I wasn’t sure how it would go over, but wanted to give it a try.
I was also out of almond milk, so I had to make the oats with water only. I wasn’t too hopeful at this point!
Into the pot went:
- 1/2c rolled oats
- 1 1/4c water
That’s it! It cooked and I whisked. It smelled amazing. How could oats + water smell so good!? I tasted. I loved! Plain oats were SO GOOD. I love the flavor of plain oats! Not that you can’t taste the “oat” flavor with cinnamon/vanilla/almond milk/banana/etc., but it came out so much more just being cooked in water. They were extremely creamy and actually had a milky flavor, even though there was no milk stirred in.
Now time for the toppings.
Sunny side up egg, 1/2 avocado, smoked paprika almond butter, s+p.
I would have to call this dinner success. I couldn’t get over how well the plain oats + smoked paprika almond butter went together. It is a bit weird to think of eating savory oats for dinner, but just think of it as any other grain.
Savory Oats
- 1/2c rolled oats
- 1 1/4c water [or half water + half milk]
- s+p
- Combine in a small pot and cook over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until desired consistency is met.
Toppings:
- 1 sunny side up egg
- 1/2 avocado
- smoked paprika almond butter
This was, fabulous!
So the next morning for breakfast, I made plain oats again. I was craving the delicious, nutty, sweet, flavor of the plain oats cooked in water.
Check out what the morning light looks like with NO light bounce. Crazy shadows and light. Very harsh looking.
I was shocked after taking that photo, then putting the light bounce up and taking this photo! They were taken 1 right after the other.
The plain oats, again, were outstanding. I used only water, but if I did have almond milk, I would have used half water + half milk. I didn’t miss the cinnamon, vanilla or banana at all.
Plain Breakfast Oats
- 1/2c rolled oats
- 1 1/4c water [or half water + half milk]
- Combine in a small pot and cook over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until desired consistency is met.
Toppings:
- 1 banana
- almonds
- coconut almond butter
- jelly
Such amazing flavor just from plain ol’ rolled oats!
House update! I was on a major roll building cabinets yesterday. Check this out!!
8 of the cabinet frames are complete!
I also built a few drawers, which are incredibly sturdy. So far, I am very pleased with the quality of the cabinets and ease of putting them together. I know it will still take a while to put on all of the hinges, attach door hardware, connect doors, and add shelves, but this was a great start!
15” + 12” base cabinets
Are you sick of the pink paper on the floor yet?? I AM!!
I have a buckwheat bake in the oven that is almost ready to come out.
Time to chow down + then head back to the house!
Yesterday I noticed the arched walls cast shadows and my nerdy self is in love with them. :)
Have a great day!!
Ashley
Recipes, almond butter, house, oats
Reader Comments (61)
I am so looking forward to your Ikea kitchen! We're debating between going with Ikea or trying to repaint/work with our existing kitchen cabinetry. I reeeallly want Ikea, but I am scared of all the assembly!!
Savory oats are wonderful!!! I love love them!
Those dinner oats sound so good!
What an amazing difference between the picture with the light bounce and without. Did you have to brighten the one with the light bounce after the fact, or change any settings(iso, etc)? That's amazing!
I don't think I can get my mind around the savory oats. Haha. They look awesome but it just seems weird to me.
the difference between those two photos are amazing! because of your inspiration, i played around with my breakfast photos the other day. i created a quick light bounce (with a piece of paper!) and used lots of different angles and play with the light. it was really fun!
TWO oat pics!! LOVE them.. i havent had savory oats in WAY too long!
I love the difference between those two photos of your breakfast oats. The first one makes it so clear that the sun is still rising and it makes me want to yawn, stretch, and then dig in! And the second one, wow, so different! It's amazing to see what a difference a light bounce can make.
Good luck on the house today!
I always cook my oats with water and if they seem dry, I'll add in some almond milk to cream it up! I love the simple taste of plain oats with a huge blob of almond butter!
My parents have been making oats with water my whole life, and I jut found them so plain. I definitely like it with milk + a banana, but maybe my taste has changed, and I should try it out.
I wish I had you around when we were doing renos!! :) We would have had a ball. You rocked those cabinets too! Reminds me a lot of the repetition of when we put together the closet organizer. It gets dull...so I hope you have music cranking!
Mmm you have reminded me how much I LOVE savoury oats. My fav way to have them is Mexican style! I make the oats into a cheezey base with nutritional yeast, olive oil, bit of cumin and red pep flakes, salt. Then on top I add salsa, avocado, black beans, cumin, red pep flakes, Crunches up mary's crackers, and hummus. It's insane!
I always make my oats with water. I love them. Your eats look delicious as always. I like the harsh like and the white balanced light. I like the sunshine...it's so natural. Good luck today and i hope it's a great one!
I think the morning light with no light bounce is pretty! Yes, the other photos look better. But I like the first one, too. :)
And I'll try that for dinner sometime- looks good!
Ooh all the cabinets!!! How exciting.
I've tried savory oats once and to be honest I didn't really like it!
I also love the taste of plain oats. Especially with Steel Cut Oats for some reason. IT just has such a nutty flavor that needs little additions.
What do you use as your light bounce again??? A poster board? I can't remember! :(
Is it weird that for some reason I like the photo with no light bounce?! Haha. It reminds me of dawn. Perhaps I'm showing my very novice status as a photographer :)
Have a great weekend!
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Hope you're having a lovely weekend!
I've never tried savory oats before although I've had regular breakfast oats for dinner ;) I always make mine with almond milk only, no water, because I love the creaminess. Maybe I should give only water a whirl and see how my tastes have changed, if at all.
I cant get myself to like savory oats. Don't know why..
I used to be a peanut butter stir in kind of girl too! Not anymore!!
Sometimes it's nice to have simple meals without all the extras added in. Like going back to basics. Looks good! Breakfast for dinner, but still a hearty dinner.
Almond butter AND avocado on oats? My mouth is WATERING. I wish we'd gotten to talk yesterday. Hang in there, sweetie!
I have never ever stirred in my toppings. They're the best part and I love picking and choosing! I also always make sure to leave some peanut butter for the last few bites. I can't imagine the final bite without it ;)
I always make my oats with water. I just prefer them that way. I feel milk or the like makes it more gummy or something? Anyway, I have NEVER though made savory oats! So that's definitely on my list of to do's now!
Yes yes! I am so glad you posted this - I've been on a plain-water-oats mix for breakfast for a while now, and honestly felt like people would think I was lying for liking it so much (cos it does sound dull) - but it IS SO GOOD!! Phew - glad I'm not alone :)
I actually love that photo without light bounce - it has so much atmosphere :)
wow the light bounce pics are night and day! wow! thanks for the side by side.
i always only make my oats w/ water. But then i doctor them up with cinnamon and brown sugar :)
i LOVE savory oats! i usually add some spinach & top w/ a runny egg, some salsa w/ avo, or canned tuna. so delish!
Dinner is solved! I am salivating over that plate.
I have always made my overnight oats with water & love the natural milkiness that comes through. It never occurred to me to use a nut or seed milk until recently and while delicious, I remain a water-soaked oats loyalist. Sweet or savoury, but 100% H2O.
Runny eggs and oats= AMAZING combination!
the ONE time I made savory oats I used avocado in them as well! it made them so buttery and delicious! I also find that just using water is awesome! I tried a few times with almond milk but almst like plain water better! it brings out their flavor and makes for such a creamy bowl!
Hello light bounce! I need to start implementing your tips. :-) I also need to try some savory oats. I'm pretty sure no one else in my family will be interested so I'll have to do it for breakfast. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hmm savory oats - I've set out to make these many times and every time is a big ole' swing and a miss because I end up aborting the mission and making sweet oatmeal instead.
Yum! I love oats for dinner. I have them with a scrambled egg mixed in sometimes, especially if I'm not feeling well. They're the most comforting of things. Ginger and a touch of curry powder on top make things extra lovely, along with a dash of almond milk.
I always stir in my toppings! I'm blown away with the impact your light bounce has in your pictures. I need to make myself one of those. Right now I use a white plate and it's such a pain in the butt!
I've been afraid to try savory oats! But it sounds soooo good! I might take the easy way out and make it with carrots and ginger (basically sweet) but it looks awesome! great review
NO way...it is SO good!!!! :)
I have never used milk in my oats, although sometimes I'll add it after cooking. I'm always amazed at how... similar, it tastes with or without milk, so why add it! I save my milk for a glass alongside my oats :)
Thanks!!! All is good :)
I like it in a way too! :)
foam board that is 1/4" thick
Yummmm, need to try with steel cut!!
I didn't like it the first time either, but this bowl was WAY better! :)
I kind of like it too...you can almost tell it's morning!
Believe it or not, I had no music. For some reason it didn't bother me at all. I don't have an ipod and no internet yet...so no music, haha. YEsss, thanks for reminding me about your Mexican savory oats!!! I remember when you made those. MUST try them soon!! :)
Something about it...just so simple + delish. Still like it with banana, milk + cinnamon though! Just a fun change!
Definitely a morning photo! :)
That's awesome!! Glad you had fun with it :)
Oh yeah...definitely had to change the ISO and shutter speed to account for all the extra light!
I grew up eating oatmeal a lot for breakfast. It was cheap, simple, and nutritious. My mom always just cooked the rolled oats in plain water. I still love them, though. So warm and comforting!
Interesting...I was always perplexed when I saw people using any sort of milk in their oatmeal, as it often makes it just that tad bit too rich for me. Much prefer to plop some yogurt and honey plus some fruit or whatever on top. Also when using the old fashioned I like to soak in half water and half apple juice overnight so they're quick cooking in the morning.
That nut butter with smoked paprika sounds SO dreamy. Tastespotting had an interesting recipe for "ris-oat-to" - so savoury oats are nothing to be ashamed of, as it turns out!