Masala Oatmeal (Oatmeal with Indian spices)

Photo Courtesy: Dr. Debarshi Chatterji

It is said breakfast is the most important meal of the day and whether you believe it or not, it feels really good to start your day with something filling. I think breakfast is a wonderful time to sit together with your family members and start the day with a smile. When I was in school, my dad always used the breakfast time to ask me and my sister about our exam preparations. He would also discuss with my mom the regular household subjects or if she is planning to go to the market. As per my mom, it is never good to leave the home on an empty stomach and I follow the same rule. By skipping our breakfast at home, we starve ourselves of a nutritious meal and once we reach our work or school we tend to eat whatever is at hand which is often not very healthy. However, I completely understand why some people feel the need to skip breakfast and more often than not it is because of the lack of time and options. 

Variety is always appealing but preparing different foods within a short time is a challenge. Eggs, toast, juice or pancakes and sausages although seem like a good option take a lot of time to prepare and soon lead to skipping breakfast altogether. In our home, Debarshi and I start our day with a bowl of hot oatmeal. Although it may sound like a monotonous option, it isn’t. You can pair the oatmeal with almost anything. I love it with banana and nuts and now-a-days we are eating it with nuts and dark chocolate chips. Believe me if you keep changing the toppings even a simple bland oatmeal tastes like heaven. I usually rotate the type of nuts (Pecan, Walnut, Raisins) but my favorite is a trail mix of Cranberry, sweet Pepitas, golden raisins, sunflower kernels and almonds. It is easily available at Target (grocery shop) and is very flavorful. I think it is an excellent match for the plain oatmeal. 

Having oatmeal for breakfast has several health benefits as well. Oatmeal being rich in fiber is very good for digestion. It helps lower the bad cholesterol and helps prevent dryness or wrinkles on your skin. Oatmeal helps keep your weight in check. Remember when you are skipping breakfast at home, you are more inclined to go for fried foods like burger or donut at office. Oatmeal makes you feel full thus curbing your appetite and bad eating habits. Also, it is really easy and quick to prepare a bowl of oatmeal, simply add one or two tablespoons of your favorite toppings, half a cup of oatmeal with a cup of milk and warm it in the microwave. Yes! it is that easy to prepare. 

Now whenever we get bored of this usual sweet option, we switch to something savory which is what I am going to share with you today. Believe me, prepared with vegetables and spices this savory oatmeal is not going to be your usual breakfast. To save time, I usually chop the vegetables before hand (usually the previous night with the dinner preparations). In the morning, I simply dry roast the oatmeal and fry the vegetables with the spices, add water, combine everything and voila! It’s ready. Of course, the quick 1-minute oatmeal which I use is also a time saver and helps me to get this yummy breakfast ready in just 10 minutes. 

Try this hot spicy oatmeal and I am sure you will love it.

Ingredients:

• Mixed Vegetables like Carrots, Peas, Beans -  ¾ cup 
• Tomato – ½, medium
• Onion – ½, medium
• Oats – ½ cup (preferably quick 1 minute oats)
• Water – 1 ½ cup (adjust as needed) 
• Salt – to taste (about ¼ teaspoon)
• Turmeric - a pinch
• Oil – about 1 tablespoon
• Ginger – ¼ teaspoon
• Garlic – ½ teaspoon
• Cumin Seeds – ½ teaspoon
• Green Chili - 1
• Garam Masala – ¼ teaspoon
• Coriander Powder – ¼ teaspoon 
• Cilantro – a handful

Let’s do some preparations:

• You can do this step the previous night, take all the vegetables (Carrots, Beans etc.) and chop them one by one. 
• If you have a chopper, use it for this step: chop the Onion with the Ginger, Garlic and Green chilies. Next chop the Tomato then the Cilantro.

Directions:

• Heat a skillet on medium heat. 
• Dry roast the Oats until they turn golden or begin to smell good. Set aside.
• Heat a pan or wok over medium high heat.
• Add the Oil. 
• Add the Cumin seeds and let them crackle.
• Add the Onion with the Ginger, Garlic and Green chilies and fry until the raw smell goes off and the Onions turn slightly golden or pink.
• Add the Vegetables (Carrots, Peas, Beans) and fry them for 2 to 3 minutes. 
• Add the Tomatoes, mix well.
• Add the Salt, Turmeric, Garam Masala and Coriander Powder and mix well.
• Cook until the tomatoes turn completely mushy.
• Add the Water and bring it to a boil.
• Add the roasted Oats and stir well.
• Cover and cook for a few minutes.
• Add the Cilantro and mix well.
• Serve hot.

Tips:

• Use the chopper to quickly chop all the vegetables and herbs.
• Instead of Cumin seeds, use Roasted Cumin powder for extra flavor.
• Use powders of Onion, Ginger and Garlic.
• Skip the Green Chili if you don’t like it hot.

Recommended Reading:

• Pancakes
• Sweet French Toast (American recipe)
• Savory Crispy French Toasts (Indian Recipe)
• Mamma’s Alu Sandwiches (Indian style Potato and Cheese Sandwiches)
• Garam Masala
• Make Cumin Powder at Home
• Food Chopper and its Importance in Our Kitchen
• Egg in a Hole – Add Fun to Your Breakfast
• Grilled Cheese
• Scrambled Eggs with Spinach
• Vegetarian Poha Style Chow Mein/ Pasta