Now that the cold weather is here, starting your day with a hearty breakfast is essential. And my favorite – is with good old fashion oatmeal! Not only is it d’lish- it contains soluble fiber that helps you feel fuller, longer.
Oatmeal comes in several varieties- so let me break it down for you. Steel-cut oats are the whole-oat-grain and bran, chopped up with steel blades. Rolled oats are de-hulled then steamed and flattened between two rollers. Instant oats are steamed longer and completely cooked before being dried. The less processed the oats are, the more fiber they contain, which means more healthy goodness!
My favorite new breakfast is Golden Honey Oat Cup – made with gluten free rolled oats, fresh ginger, turmeric, honey, cardamom and unsweetened coconut milk. Make a big batch and portion into half-pint canning jars.
Let it do its magic overnight in the refrigerator. Then grab-and-go and top with toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds -and some dried cherries or cranberries. You can give it a little heat in the microwave if you like it warm.
And don’t forget about baking with oatmeal! The nutty flavor is the perfect canvas for pairing alongside fruit- like in my Orange Upside Down Oat Cake. This dessert can be served as a sweet finish to a meal- or even as a rich breakfast cake topped with a dollop of Greek yogurt. Yum! -Kathy
Orange Upside-Down Oat Cake
Read all the way through recipe before starting. It is important to use a nonstick pan and to turn the cake out of the pan 5 minutes after removing from the oven.
Makes 1 (9-inch) round cake, serving 8 to 10
Oats
2/3 cup rolled oats (not instant)
1/2 cup golden raisins
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 Tbsp. Sunkist Orange zest
3/4 cup boiling water
Orange Layer
3 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 large Sunkist Navel Orange, peel on, ends cut off and sliced into 8 to 10 thin slices
Batter
2/3 cup, packed, brown sugar
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Mix oats, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg and orange zest in a heat-proof container, and pour measured boiling water over mixture. Let sit for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the pan and orange layer: put the butter in a 9-inch nonstick round cake pan and place in the oven until the butter is just melted, about 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle with the 3 tablespoons of brown sugar, and then lay out the orange slices in a pretty pattern.
To make the batter: In a mixer (or large bowl), combine the 2/3 cup brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg and oil, and mix well. In a small bowl, mix together the flour, soda and salt, and then add this mixture to the sugar mixture. Add plumped oat mixture and pecans, and mix until well combined.
Without disturbing the orange layer, add batter into the cake pan carefully, and then lightly rap pan on counter to release any bubbles. Bake in preheated oven for about 45 to 55 minutes, or until cake is golden and tests done.
Let sit for 5 minutes after removing from oven. Loosen sides of cake from pan with a table knife, and then immediately invert cake onto a large plate. Let cool before serving.
Chef Notes:
-Try adding 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom to the oat mixture for a different spice-flavor profile.
-Great to serve for brunch; this cake is very moist, so you can make it a couple of days ahead.
Photo and Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®
