Savory oats are the breakfast trend you need to try! Learn more about this popular spin on the classic Quaker Old-Fashioned Oats, plus a new recipe for Savory Oats with Garlic Greens.
Disclosure: This recipe and blog post was created in partnership with The Quaker Oats Company. I was compensated for my time. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Street Smart Nutrition!
I’m back from FNCE! That stands for “Food & Nutrition Conference and Expo” and it’s basically like the Super Bowl/World Series/Olympic Finals for dietitians. Picture four jam-packed days of new food trends, networking events, educational sessions, and more!
I look forward to attending every year to see some of the latest & greatest food trends that are coming our way. It’s also a great time to reconnect with friends and clients and meet some new people along the way. I loved visiting the Quaker team on the expo floor and chatting all things oats!
And speaking of food trends, they recently surveyed consumers across the United States to learn more about how breakfast trends vary between each region of the country. Since I’m located in the Heartland, I was extra curious about what the results for the Midwest showed. As it turns out, we agreed on a lot of things. Especially savory oats!
Some of the foods mentioned as favorites included eggs, bacon, and breakfast pizza (major YUM). And the majority of survey respondents said they prefer savory foods (73%) and adding protein to breakfast items (60%). Another trend I’m on board with? Breakfast for dinner! Oats are such a versatile ingredient, they offer countless possibilities to get more flavor and nutrition out of our meals.
Quaker Old Fashioned Oats offers the perfect blank canvas to inspire culinary creativity. So when I was thinking of a comforting, savory dish to enjoy when the post-conference jet lag hit me, I came up with this recipe! Savory Oats with Garlic Greens is a meal I can enjoy any time of the day because it’s so quick and easy to prepare. It’s incredibly versatile too, so I’ll be able to swap other veggies or proteins into the mix.
One ingredient I won’t be swapping, though, is the cottage cheese. Yes, you read that right, cottage cheese! I know it sounds a bit odd but hear me out: it’s a great way to add some more protein to your oatmeal. It blends in like a dream and since it’s a similar texture and appearance to the oats, you likely won’t notice a significant difference.
Here’s the recipe for Savory Oats with Garlic Greens:
Savory Oats with Garlic Greens
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Quaker Old Fashioned Oats
- 1/2 cup reduced fat milk (2%)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup small curd cottage cheese, reduced fat (2%)
- 2 pieces cooked bacon, roughly crumbled
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 2 cups leafy greens, tightly packed
- Kosher salt and pepper to taste
- crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- 2 tbsp sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
Instructions
- If using uncooked bacon, prepare per package instructions then set aside. Heat the olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. As the pan is heating, combine the oats, water, and milk in a microwave-safe bowl. If using uncooked bacon, prepare per package instructions.
- Heat the olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. As the pan is heating, combine the oats, water, and milk in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave the oats for two and a half to three minutes per the instructions on the canister or until fully cooked. Remove from the microwave and stir. While the oats are cooking, add the greens to the heated pan and lightly saute until wilted (about 3-5 minutes). Season with salt and pepper to taste then set aside.
- Stir the cottage cheese into the cooked oats. Add the cooked greens to the bowl, then roughly chop or crumble the cooked bacon and add on top. Garnish with crushed red pepper flakes and chopped sun-dried tomatoes (if using). Serve immediately.
Nutrition
If you prefer a different consistency, you can always add some additional water to the oatmeal mix. I like mine to be thick and creamy, so I tend to opt for slightly less liquid when I’m cooking Quaker Old Fashioned Oats.
I’d love to hear about which breakfast ingredients you’re currently loving, which trends you’re on board with, or the reasons you love cooking with oats. Leave a comment or tag me in a post, let’s share the whole-grain love of oats!
If you’re a fan of savory oats, click below to see more recipes like this one!
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