If you check out my Healthy Chow Hearts page, you will see oatmeal listed.  It’s no lie.  And in the food blogosphere, I’m not the only one in that boat or the sole member of that club.  Kath gives this hearty item it’s own tribute page on her blog and one of Tina’s FAQ’s asks how she makes her own breakfast blend.  Oatmeal lovers UNITE!

I could eat oatmeal pretty much every. single. day.  I guess this all started when I was a child and my mother wanted to give me a hot breakfast to start my morning (aw, thanks Mom!) and being the brat I was, dry toast just wasn’t good enough.  Alas, savory oats was born!  She often served me and my sister oatmeal mixed with beef and ginger, with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.  Sounds odd but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.  It’s damn good!

The other day I wanted a hot meal and I wanted it quick.  The first thing that sprang to my mind was oatmeal – but like as a child, I wanted it to be savory.  Since this was going to be my dinner, I wanted it to have some extra protein as well.  After some rummaging through the cabinets and my fridge, my red and green festive bowl of oats came to life.

Christmas in Your Oatmeal

2/3 cup of quick oats (the old fashioned kind would work as well)
1/3 cup of egg whites
1/3 cup of chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup of frozen peas
1/4 cup of cottage cheese (I used nonfat but you could use full fat or low – whichever floats your boat)
s&p to taste

Bring a little less than 1 1/3 cups of water to a boil (you can add salt to your water if you wish).  Once the water starts to boil, add your oats and give it a few good stirs.  Once it’s been cooking for 2-3 minutes, add your egg whites and give that a stir as well to make sure the egg whites are blended.  Turn down your stove to med/med-low and keep stirring for another minute or so.  Then, add your chopped tomatoes and stir until they begin to soften.  Add your peas next.  Then, just before you take the oats off the stove, stir in the cottage cheese.  The cottage cheese will remain curd-like and won’t melt like mozzarella would (remember, it’s Christmas and the cottage cheese curds are the snow – you want big flakes!).  Ladle this goodness into some bowls and enjoy immediately!

Serves 2 (or 1 big serving if you <3 oatmeal like me!)

This hot bowl of yum took me back to my childhood days.  Are there any foods that remind you of your childhood?

Namasté,
Nicole