I was inspired to create this Spicy Harissa Oatmeal with Eggs after traveling to Morocco this year. The flavors, textures, and colors all remind me of my travels but it’s a simple recipe to prepare at home using Quaker Quick 3-Minute Steel Cut Oats! Keep reading to learn more.
Disclosure: This recipe and blog post were 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!
Can you believe it’s already the end of the year? The frigid temps are a constant reminder, but we’ve yet to see much snow in my neck of the woods. Either way, I’ve been craving warm bowls of hearty comfort foods and lots of spice! There’s something about a little kick of flavor that just seems to warm me up from the inside out. Maybe you feel the same way!
That’s part of what got me dreaming of these Spicy Harissa Oats in the first place. That, and my recent travels to North Africa. I fell in love with the people, the culture, and of course, the food while I was there! I knew I’d fall short of my own expectations if I attempted to recreate some of the delicious dishes I sampled there, so I drew inspiration from the region instead.
To my pleasant surprise, when I returned to work after vacation I learned that African cuisines and flavors were projected to be a big trend for the new decade (I spy harissa on this list from Business Insider). Looks like I’m not the only one with a craving for these vibrant, nourishing foods!
2020 Nutrition Trends
It’s always fun to try to forecast food and health trends in the new year. This time around, we’re not only facing a new year, but a new decade! When Quaker conducted a survey in 2019, they found that while traditional sweet or fruity flavor pairings for oatmeal will remain popular, there is more interest in savory or spicy oats. The majority of survey respondents said they prefer savory foods (73%) and adding protein to breakfast items (60%).
I’ve experimented quite a bit with different versions of savory oats. A few of my favorites so far include my Savory Pesto Oatmeal Bowl, Savory Oats with Garlic Greens, and Steel Cut Oat Risotto with Herbs and Autumn Squash. While each of those is delicious in their own way, I have a feeling these Spicy Harissa Oatmeal with Eggs will be making their way into my regular rotation.
What Is Harissa?
Harissa is a North African or Moroccan pepper sauce. The primary ingredients include roasted red peppers, red or green chili peppers, spices, and herbs, plus olive oil and vinegar to create a sauce or paste-like consistency. The spices and herbs can vary by region, but common flavors include garlic, cumin, and coriander or caraway seeds.
When I was in Morocco, it was usually served on the side for our dinner meals of couscous and vegetables. It added so much flavor and I loved seeing the bright red color mix in with everything else. We also enjoyed it with traditional tagine dishes of braised and roasted meats or vegetables.
Harissa is spicy and aromatic so it’s a bold flavor. A little goes a long way! But I think that’s what makes it perfect for pairing with steel cut oats. Oatmeal is a culinary blank canvas that can inspire lots of creativity for pairing other strong flavors. That’s exactly what I decided to do with these spicy harissa oats!
That’s not the only reason to love oatmeal – while the endless culinary possibilities have a lot of appeal, I also love that oats deliver on nutrition. Their fiber content, whole grain goodness, and versatility for meals, snacks, and baking make them uniquely positioned to deliver a total package. Great taste, convenience, nutrition, and they’re easy on your budget!
Global Inspiration for Oatmeal Trends
I love to experiment with new ingredients and find lots of inspiration from other cultures and cuisines. But I don’t always love the challenge of searching for new ingredients when I return home. Although it’s getting easier than ever to access specialty ingredients that stay authentic to global cuisines, it might be difficult to do where you live.
Shopping online is always an option, but I personally like to source as many ingredients as I can from a single trip to the grocery store. This recipe for Spicy Harissa Oatmeal with Eggs lets me do that since nearly all of the ingredients are kitchen staples. Quaker Steel Cut Oats are a longtime favorite, and I especially like the quick-cooking version that can be prepared on the stovetop in just three minutes. The veggies, herbs, and eggs are also things I keep on hand.
The only challenge? Prepared harissa sauce. I lucked out and found the version I used in the ethnic food aisle near the other prepared sauces and pastes. If you have a hard time, try looking for it near the other sauces and condiments. One friend told me she found some harissa hanging out near the BBQ sauce!
Here’s the recipe for Spicy Harissa Oatmeal with Eggs!
Spicy Harissa Oatmeal with Eggs
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Quaker® Steel Cut Oats Quick 3-Minute
- 1 cup low sodium vegetable broth
- 3 tbsp harissa sauce, prepared
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup tomatoes, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/8 tsp cumin
- Coarse sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine the diced onion, tomatoes, parsley, garlic, and cumin in a small mixing bowl. Stir to combine, then set aside.
- Bring the low sodium vegetable broth to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add the Quaker Steel Cut Oats. Reduce heat to medium and allow to cook three minutes according to package directions. Once the oats are fully cooked and the consistency has thickened, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, heat a non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and heat until glistening. Crack the eggs into the skillet and cook until over-easy or over-medium. Remove from heat.
- To serve, divide the steel cut oats into two portions. Add the prepared harissa sauce and stir to combine. Top each serving with one of the over-easy eggs, then add the tomato mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
I’d love to hear about your favorite food or nutrition trends of the last decade. We’re getting ready to say goodbye to 2019 and welcome 2020, so if you have your own predictions for popular trends coming our way, I’d love to hear those, too! Thanks for supporting me and Street Smart Nutrition, and we’ll see you in the new year!
Love the savory oat trend? Click below to check out these other options that are sure to please your taste buds!
