The Best Ever Pumpkin Oatmeal

Are you wondering how this could the best bowl of pumpkin oats ever? It’s a lofty statement, but I promise to have you convinced by the end of this post.

And seriously, when is the last time I’ve posted an oatmeal recipe? It’s been yearrrrrs. In case you were wondering, I still love oatmeal.

The Best Ever Pumpkin Oatmeal | edibleperspective.com #vegan #glutenfree
The Best Ever Pumpkin Oatmeal | edibleperspective.com #vegan #glutenfree

This recipe came about accidentally. There I was, making my first batch of pumpkin oats, stirring the pumpkin into the almost fully cooked pot of oats. I enjoyed it without knowing any better until later that day I was working on a new recipe [that failed twice].

I was trying to make pumpkin spice rice krisp bars [the no marshmallow kind] but they turned slightly soggy after both trials, most likely due to the pumpkin. For the second trial I thought I got all crafty thinking I could heat the pumpkin in a pan to cook off some of the liquid and thicken it up. While it helped, it didn’t totally solve the problem but it did give me a new idea for pumpkin oatmeal.

Cook the pumpkin and then add the oats! This creates a deeper pumpkin flavor and also makes the oatmeal extra thick and creamy. The pumpkin darkens a bit after cooking and then the spices are thrown in before any of the oats or liquid to enhance the flavors even more.

Instead of sweetening this bowl with maple syrup I added finely chopped medjool dates to the mix which ended up melting right into the oats and providing a light, caramel flavor. Dates are the perfect compliment to pumpkin spice flavors.

The Best Ever Pumpkin Oatmeal | edibleperspective.com #vegan #glutenfree
The Best Ever Pumpkin Oatmeal | edibleperspective.com #vegan #glutenfree

After making this same recipe for a week straight I knew I had to share it with you guys. It was obviously a keeper. But before sharing it with you I was lucky enough to get to whip up a bowl for Gena while I was in New York. The only thing I love more than breakfast is cooking breakfast for other people and getting to enjoy it with them.

I also shot all of these photos right in Gena’s apartment right before we ate!

The Best Ever Pumpkin Oatmeal | edibleperspective.com #vegan #glutenfree
The Best Ever Pumpkin Oatmeal | edibleperspective.com #vegan #glutenfree

Print this!

The Best Ever Pumpkin Oatmeal

gluten-free, vegan // yields 2 servings

  • 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 – 3/4 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/16th teaspoon clove
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
  • 1 cup water
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 3-4 finely chopped and pitted medjool dates
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Heat a medium sized pot over medium heat. Once hot add the pumpkin and stir frequently for about 5-7 minutes until the pumpkin is reduced to about half and a deep golden brown. Stir in the spices and let cook another 30 seconds.

Stir in the salt then add the oats, water, and milk to the pot. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Once boiling reduce heat to simmer. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until starting to thicken then add in the chopped dates. Stir occasionally for another 2-4 minutes until thickened to your liking [it will thicken a bit more after taking off the heat] and remove from the heat.

Stir in the vanilla extract and portion into bowls. Top with desired toppings [splash of milk, walnuts, nut butter, apples, pears, etc.] and serve immediately.

----

notes: If you don’t have dates add in 2-3 teaspoons pure maple syrup if desired. If you don’t like a strong cinnamon flavor reduce to 1-1 1/2 teaspoons.

The Best Ever Pumpkin Oatmeal | edibleperspective.com #vegan #glutenfree
The Best Ever Pumpkin Oatmeal | edibleperspective.com #vegan #glutenfree

Your favorite bowl of fall oatmeal will never be the same.

Hope you love it!

Ashley

Veggie Potato Breakfast Tacos

I can get behind tacos for any meal of the day. But when we're talking breakfast there are a few must have ingredients. 

Potato Veggie Breakfast Tacos |edibleperspective.com
Potato Veggie Breakfast Tacos |edibleperspective.com

Potatoes. Eggs. Guacamole. 

Beans are great, too, but the first 3 on this list are a must. I don't even need cheese as long as there's guac.

Potato Veggie Breakfast Tacos |edibleperspective.com
Potato Veggie Breakfast Tacos |edibleperspective.com

These might not be the quickest cooking breakfast tacos, thanks to the potatoes, but I don't think you're going to mind. This is a fun weekend breakfast meal that you could even turn into a taco buffet for a crowd [just double or triple the recipe!]. What could be more amazing than a taco buffet?

....Wait.... I can't think of anything. 

Potato Veggie Breakfast Tacos |edibleperspective.com
Potato Veggie Breakfast Tacos |edibleperspective.com

And if you happen to be looking for a quick and simple vegan taco recipe then you must, must check out my recent post on Craftsy. Gettin' all taco crazy up in here, but I'm guessing you don't mind.

Potato Veggie Breakfast Tacos |edibleperspective.com
Potato Veggie Breakfast Tacos |edibleperspective.com

So I'm currently in NYC exploring and eating my way around and then this weekend I'm heading not to far from the city to The Big Potluck in PA. I've been a few times before when I was conducting research for my thesis work in architecture school, but it has been far too long since I've been back. There is definitely something about NYC that sweeps me away every time. Let me know your favorite veggie/GF places to eat! Someone may have to roll me home. 

Potato Veggie Breakfast Tacos |edibleperspective.com
Potato Veggie Breakfast Tacos |edibleperspective.com

Print this!

Veggie Potato Breakfast Tacos

gluten-free // yields about 3-4 servings

for the tacos:

  • 2 cups 1/2-inch chopped fingerling potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons ghee, or high-heat oil - divided
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic, about 2 cloves
  • 2 cups finely chopped lacinato kale
  • 1 1/2 cups black beans, drained but not rinsed
  • 1, 4oz can mild green chiles, drained
  • smoky hot sauce
  • 8 large eggs, whisked well
  • 8-12 corn tortillas
  • salt and pepper
  • cilantro, green onion, cheese, tomatoes, etc. to top

for the guac:

  • 2 avocados
  • 1/3 - 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • 2-3 juiced limes
  • salt to taste
  • 3-4 tablespoons chopped cilantro, if desired

Preheat oven to 400* F. Melt 2-3 teaspoons ghee. Toss potatoes with ghee [or oil] and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 25-30 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until tender and browned. If the potatoes finish before you're done cooking, keep at 200* F.

While the potatoes roast mash the avocado in a bowl. Add in the red onion, juice from 2 limes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cilantro [if using] and stir together. Taste and add more lime juice and salt if needed [I use a bit more of each]. Place plastic wrap directly on top and set in the fridge until ready to use.

Place a medium sized pan over medium heat with 1 teaspoon of ghee or oil. Once hot, stir in 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic for about 30 seconds - 1 minute until just starting to brown. Add in the kale with a pinch or two of salt and cook for about 3-4 minutes until wilted but not limp. Empty into a bowl and set aside. Turn the burner to medium-low and add another 2 teaspoons of ghee or oil. [You'll use this pan to cook the eggs in.]

While the pan cools down a bit, place a small pot over medium heat with 2 teaspoons ghee or oil. Once hot, stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic for about 30 seconds - 1 minute until just starting to brown. Add in the black beans, a few splashes of hot sauce, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low and let cook, stirring every minute or so for about 6-8 minutes. You want the beans to become a bit creamy. Add a splash or so of water if the beans start to dry out. Stir in the green chiles and cook for 1 minute. Taste and adjust salt/hot sauce if needed.

While the beans cook, slowly pour in your eggs into the pan and keep moving with a spatula. You want large pieces of scrambled eggs, so avoid chopping the eggs in the pan. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, until about halfway cooked. Fold in the kale, add a few splashes of hot sauce, a generous sprinkle of salt + pepper, and continue to cook the eggs until done to your liking. The key is to incorporate the kale when the eggs are still a bit raw so the kale sticks in the egg. Taste and add more salt + pepper if needed.

In the last 2 minutes of eggs cooking warm tortillas over an open gas flame for just a few seconds or place in your oven to heat for just a minute.

Plate tacos with warmed tortillas, beans, eggs, and potatoes. Add guacamole, shredded cheese, halved cherry/grape tomatoes, hot sauce, or other desired toppings. Serve hot.

Potato Veggie Breakfast Tacos |edibleperspective.com
Potato Veggie Breakfast Tacos |edibleperspective.com

Now let's eat some dang tacos.

Ashley