Oatmeal Fruit Salad - Breakfast of Champions

Toss some fun and flavour into your morning ritual

Oatmeal, one of the most hearty cereal grains out there. High in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein, this is my personal favourite choice in the mornings because it's also quick to cook! 

Many people find steel cut or rolled oats too bland and if given the choice, would opt for the more common, pre-sweetened packs with attractive flavours like "Maple and Brown Sugar" or "Apple Cinnamon". While any oatmeal product is a big step up from glorified cereals, creating your own flavours means much more variety and fun... plus it's super simple! 

*CAUTION: SCIENCE AHEAD*
There are several highly argued opinions on breakfast options, what you can and can't eat, or if you should even eat at all. From my research and personal experience your first meal of the day is the most important. This is because while you sleep, your body is essentially fasting. When you eat your first meal, all of the nutrition elements are used to their fullest potential and generally not stored (as fat). The better nutrition you include in this meal the happier your body and the more energized you feel. Whether this is an early meal, later in the afternoon, or anywhere in between, just make sure it's a good one ;)

Here I made my oatmeal with a Maple Cinnamon flavour, then added a ton of my favourite fruits (ataulfo (yellow) mango, strawberries, cherries). Topped with some crunchy granola for some more texture and we're done!

Pre-Method:
- Generally the oat to water ratio is 1:2, often 1/3cup oats to 2/3 water. But don't always settle for just water, you can use of all sorts of milk as well.. cow's, coconut (my fav), rice, almond, etc.
- Sugar, cinnamon, and other spices like salt, nutmeg and allspice are always great options to try. Don't know how much to use? Add a dash, then taste! Then, using incredible powers of deduction, decide if you need more. I usually use 1tbsp of sugar for my 2/3cup of oats. Salt will also help to balance sweetness and bring out the other flavours. 

A Guideline,
per 1/3 cup oats you'll need:
- 2/3 water or preferred milk
- 1/2 tbsp brown sugar or maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Your dezired fruit(s)

Method:
1. Measure your water or milk and add to a pot. Set on stove and bring to boil

2. While waiting, add preferred sweetener, cinnamon, salt, or other additions like raisins, vanilla extract, nutmeg, etc.

3. Once boiling, add oats, and mix. Reduce heat to minimum. To reduce liquid faster and for a denser result, leave the lid off. Otherwise put the lid on

4. Mix every few minutes to ensure nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pot and that everything cooks evenly

5. While waiting for the liquid to be absorbed, prep your desired fruits. I prefer using cold fruits that have been refrigerated, they cool the oatmeal faster. Frozen fruit would do this too

6. Once oatmeal is fully cooked, remove into a bowl (or don't, I always eat straight from the pot. One less dish to wash :). To finish add fruits

Done! Serve Hot**

*Bonus Marks

- Adding crunchy granola will perfectly contrast the oats and fruit

- Try recreating common flavours to get more comfortable with these ingredients.

Some Ideas:

- Maple and Brown Sugar

- Apple Cinnamon

- Cinnamon and Spice

There are so many ways to make this your own...

Just remember to keep tasting! Feel free to share your creations below!