PROJECT LIGHT & LEAN: Breakfast Chapter (Oatmeals)

Today kick-starts the first project I’ve ever done on this blog. I’m pretty excited and mildly terrified. I tend to start a lot of things and not finish them so this will be a challenge for me, a good challenge. Hopefully the start of a new habit of finishing things 🙂 In case you missed my introduction to the project, you can check it out here. If you’re not familiar with the cookbook I’m cooking my way through, you can find the book here.

As I said before, I will be reviewing recipes by chapter. With breakfast being the first chapter to review, I’m sure it comes as no surprise to those who know me, that oatmeal recipes would be the first recipes I would make and review. Happy Herbivore Light & Lean has 10 different ways to make your morning oatmeal exciting. My partner and I tried each and every flavour and although we each had our favourite recipe, there was not one oatmeal recipe that we would not make again. The thing I liked most about the oatmeals was that they were filling and full of flavour without any addition of nut butters (obviously the peanut butter oatmeal is an exception). I’m known to make a big bowl of oatmeal and top it with a glob of almond butter. Although I love doing this and do not see myself stopping doing this in the near future, it’s good to know that oatmeal can be delicious and satisfying without decadent, high calorie toppings.

For those who have the book all of the oatmeal recipes I’m talking about are on page 28 and on page 27 you’re find instructions for how to cook your oatmeal. I like to cook my oatmeal with a 1:1 ratio of oats to water but my partner prefers a thicker oatmeal, which is what the instructions on page 27 will generate.

Apple Pie Oatmeal– This was my partners favourite oatmeal, without question. The texture of the crunchy apple chunks complemented the cinnamon scented oats well.

Blueberry Muffin Oatmeal– This oatmeal was okay. I probably would have loved it with a glob of almond butter though. For me this oatmeal was missing a certain level of denseness that makes the oatmeal feel like a hearty meal.

Orange Scented Oatmeal– This oatmeal was also okay. I liked the flavour but it was the texture of the oranges that threw me off. It would have been better if the oranges had been segmented, but who has time to segment oranges in the morning?

Peanut Butter Oatmeal– Yes! Yes, yes yes! This oatmeal was creamy and decedent and oh so delicious. It wasn’t my absolute favourite, but it was pretty high up there. The sliced strawberries made this oatmeal feel like a grown-up version of the classic peanut butter and jam sandwich…if oatmeal is ever considered “grown-up”???

Chocolate Chocolate Oatmeal– Chocolate anything in the morning is usually a good idea. This oatmeal is definitely a good idea. It was my second favourite. It tasted like dessert and is perfect for those mornings when you wake up on the “wrong” side of the bed.

Banana Bread Oatmeal– I love bananas and I love this oatmeal. It was very filling and kept me full for a surprisingly long time. You really can’t go wrong with sweet bananas crunchy nuts!

Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal– A classic flavour combination that I always enjoy, and this oatmeal was no different. I love the chewy texture that the raisins add and maple syrup made it feel like a dessert to me!

Raspberry Creme Oatmeal– This was my favourite oatmeal and that completely surprised me. I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did but the non-dairy yogurt added a delightfully creamy texture that paired very well with the tart raspberries.

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal– This oatmeal is perfect for the fall when you have random amounts of pumpkin left over. This is another recipe where I love the texture that the chewy raisins create. Also, adding a vegetable to a bowl of oatmeal and making it taste like a treat is never a bad thing.

Cherry Vanilla Oatmeal– Soooo, I either forgot to take a picture of this oatmeal or I lost the photo. Either way, I don’t have a photo to show you. I can tell you though that this oatmeal was good. I think the title is a little misleading because you really can’t taste any vanilla in the oatmeal but my oh my can you ever taste the cherries! And I love cherries, a lot, so I also loved this oatmeal, a lot.

There you have it, my thoughts on the oatmeal recipes in the breakfast chapter of Happy Herbivore Light & Lean. Next I’ll be talking pancakes and granola. Breakfast really is the best meal of the day!

xoxo Erin