If you prefer savory to sweet breakfasts like I do, you will love this fun twist on good old oatmeal. One of the reasons why I came up with this alternative is that a bowl of oatmeal even with the usual addition of raisins, walnuts and a bit of brown sugar tends to go through my system in about an hour. I don’t know why but it does. Maybe it is because of the sugar. So I decided to go savory instead and it worked! To each its own, I guess!
Health benefits of oatmeal
I really wanted to find a way to make this work for me because there are so many health benefits to eating oatmeal. Did you know for example that oats have more protein than most grains?
They offer both soluble fiber (known to reduce belly fat) and insoluble fibers (think intestinal Brillo pad) making them a formidable help for the gut microbiome, overall digestion, and weight-loss.
Oats also have B vitamins, manganese, iron (2 mg for 1 cup) which improves the body’s ability to carry oxygen from the lungs out, Magnesium, and zinc, known to boost our immune system.
Combine the goodness of oats with red lentils (rich in amino acids, potassium, fiber and polyphenols) and you have a super nutritious breakfast that will keep you going for hours and regular too! Coral lentils don’t usually need to be soaked but since they need a little longer to cook than oats, it is best to soak them for 5 minutes in warm water or if you remember, overnight. They will more than double in size if you do. If you don’t soak them, no worry, just cook them separately, and add them to the oatmeal.
Oatmeal being so naturally bland, you can try different kind of flavors like:
Mexican: add some cumin powder salsa and cilantro
Indian: curry powder, coconut milk
Thai: lime juice, peanut butter, chili paste
You get the idea!
If you are looking more amazing savory, warming and sustaining breakfast recipes, check my black rice Congee, Chakchouka with vegan egg or tofu scramble.
Let’s get cooking!
Winter Savory Oatmeal
Ingredients
Broth
- 1-2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp sweetener (agave, maple, raw sugar)
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 tbsp tomato paste or sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Lentils
- 1/2 cup coral lentils rinsed
- 1.5 cup water
Oatmeal
- 1/2 cup steel cut oats (per person)
- 1 cup water
Greens
- chopped spinach, chards, leaves
Toppings
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- avocado slices
- nuts (walnuts, pine nuts etc.)
- Crispy ginger slices (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the lentils
- Rinse 1/2 cup of coral lentils and simmer in 1.5 cups of water until tender.
Prepare the broth
- Whisk the soy sauce, water, sweetener, curry powder, tomato sauce or paste, garlic powder, chili paste.
Make the oatmeal
- Combine the oats with the broth. Stir while it simmers, add the cooked lentils, and chopped greens. Taste and season more if needed.
- Slice half an avocado, chop some scallions.
- Serve immediately, sprinkle the chopped green onions, add the avocado slices.
