Oats and I go way back.
Our friendship probably began with some iced oatmeal cookies from a certain cookie company that shall remain nameless. From that point on, anything baked with Oats- I was all over it. When I got older, I finally figured out how to make oatmeal in a way that I liked (it took me 26 years to figure out that oatmeal was good if I put stuff like spices and fruit in it)(sometimes I'm a bit of a slow learner). Oatmeal became my breakfast of choice for the next 7 years. After I became vegan, Oats and I got super close when I discovered I could use them to make my own granola (see- slow learner).
When I learned that my good pal Oats was getting their own vegan cookbook, authored by none other than the amazing Kathy Hester, no one was happier for them than me. In OATrageous Oatmeals, Kathy proves that oats are for more than just cookies and oatmeal. From vegan sausage crumbles to creamer for your coffee, this book shows that Oats are an absolute superstar in the kitchen.
Lately, I've been a little desperate in the late afternoon snack category. I'll pack a great, satisfying lunch for work but come 4 or 5 pm, I need something to munch on to hold me over until I get home and can make dinner. Because I didn't bring anything, I usually end up munching on some popped chips that the office kitchen has stocked but I always wish I'd brought something a little more nutritionally dense, if you know what I mean. As soon as I saw the Curry Cashew Savory Granola in OATrageous Oatmeals, I knew I'd found my new afternoon snack. Since I'm usually craving something savory and crunchy in the afternoon, this granola is absolutely perfect. I tripled the recipe so I would have enough to last the week. You can use it to top yogurt or just eat in on it's own by the handful. Sometimes, I'll bring a little extra so I can use it to top my salad at lunch. I think savory granola and I are going to be hanging out for quite awhile.
soy-free, gluten-free option*, oil-free option**
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons (14 g) ground flaxseed
- mixed with 4 tablespoons (59 ml) warm
- water
- 1 cup (92 g) rolled oats (*make sure oats are marked gluten-free)
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) olive oil (**replace oil with 1 tablespoon [15 g] ground
- flaxseed mixed with 2 tablespoons [30 ml] warm water in addition to the amount above)
- 1⁄3 cup (55 g) golden raisins
- 1⁄3 cup (26 g) finely shredded coconut
- 1⁄3 cup (43 g) minced cashews nuts
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1⁄8 teaspoon ground mustard
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (177C) and either oil a cookie sheet or line it with parchment paper.
- Add all ingredients but the salt to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Mix well, then add salt to taste.
- Pour the mixture onto the prepared cookie sheet and press thin. You should have one large, flat
- piece about 1/4 to 1⁄8-inch thin. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges are browned and the
- middle is no longer wet.
- Let cool on cookie sheet and break it up into large or small chunks with your hands. Use to top
- salads or plain yogurt, or just eat by the handful for a snack!
Notes
From OATrageous Oatmeals by Kathy Hester printed with permission of Page Street Publishing
Kathy Hester and Page Street Publishing have been kind enough to let me give away a copy of OATrageous Oatmeals to one of you beautiful people! The giveaway will run until 11:59pm PST on 10/16/2014 and is open to US & Canadian residents only. Please use the box below to enter.
Thank you so much to Kathy and Page Street Publishing for allowing me to review this book. Thank you to all of you incredible readers for stopping by and entering! Have a great day!
What is your favorite way to use oats?
Aside from the book cover, photography by Chris Miller
Katie
While i make a big pot of pie spiced porridge every week, I *love* using oats in chocolate chip cookies. Makes them just a little chewier.
Sophia
My favorite way to use oats is probably in homemade granola bars. But there's no more comforting autumn breakfast than oatmeal with plenty of cinnamon and apples.
Kelly G.
Oatmeal raisin cookies!
Shelley
My favorite way to use oats is making veggie burgers or homemade granola!
saniel
Just discovered I can use oatmeal on my face for facial mask but also love it the traditional way warm with cinnamon, almond milk and blueberries. Thanks
Nicollette D.
Savory oats of any kind. But cookies are good too!
Shannon
I love oatmeal! Chocolate covered Katie posted a recipe for a baked oatmeal cake a few years ago that I am still totally in love with.
Peggy
cookies
Kristina
I eat oat bran every day for breakfast, but my favorite way is to add it to cookies.
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen
This granola sounds fabulous! And that cookbook - I love oatmeal in everything 🙂 I've been loving cooking and baking with oat flour recently!
Christina
I love oatmeal for breakfast! I play with flavor combos all of the time. I've been on an apple and cinnamon kick lately.
Becca
I like grinding it into a flour and baking with it.
Ali @ Farmers Market Vegan
Granola, of course!
diana @ veggienextdoor
I want this book so badly!!! Overnight Oats are still my favorit . I even usually stir some oats into my chia pudding .
Mary
Slow cooker oatmeal- I love waking up in the morning with breakfast all ready!
Janel M.
My favorite way to use oats is simply as a healthy, filling breakfast. Mixed with vegan protein powder, and topped with cinnamon and berries. Maybe a little maple syrup.
Allie
GRANOLA!
Megan S
Fav way to enjoy is overnight oats.
Jen
I have been loving making banana, oat, date cookies for breakfast!! Mmmmm... such a good pre workout bite to grab!
Lydia Claire
Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies!
jacquie
granola!
Madeline
For oatmeal or in oatmeal chocolate chip cookies!!
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
I never really thought about savory granola, buuuut you have me sold!
Angel
Sometimes I add oats to my smoothies. Especially when I use apples.
anna
I love good old-fashioned oatmeal cooked with almond milk and topped with nut butter, banana, chia, and cacao nibs- omg yum
Being able to use them as a flour in baking is also great! Love it 🙂
Natalia M
Lately I just can't get enough of baked oats! Also love them in my breakfast cookies.
Jessica Eagle
Thanks for this wonderful giveaway !!!
I love oat...!!! My favorite way to use it would be with granola or just a simple bowl of oat flakes with warm water 🙂 Yahhh...!!! It sound boring, but no, ti is soooo comforting.
Lindsay
I love using oats to make peanut butter bars
Lauren
It may be too boring and traditional, but oatmeal is my favorite use (thus far!) of oats! I am sure I could learn some new tricks with this book though!
Grace @ FoodFitnessFreshAir
I love curried takes on granola. I really think coconut flakes and curry powder are a match made in heaven. Could totally see this on top of some cooked autumn apples!
Heather B.
I love using oats in Cowboy cookies!
Lauryn Linley
I know this is boring, but my favorite way to use oats is to make oatmeal! I made an apple pie oatmeal for breakfast recently that was kind of ridiculous 🙂
Kim L
oatmeal cookies
jane
I eat oatmeal with flaxseed and hulled hemp seeds with a giant scoop of peanut butter every morning! I also love baking cookies and cakes with ground oats.
Marina
My favorite way to use oats will forever be my daily breakfast!!
Katie
Pumpkin oatmeal bake!
Christina
I like to incorporate ground oats into all of my baked recipes, as a healthy alternative to white flour. The taste isn't as strong as some other whole grains, so it's a nice substitute for picky eaters.
Stacy L.
Most certainly in making granola recipes....non-stop. 🙂
sara
I eat oatmeal most mornings, with maca, peanut butter, and cacao nibs 🙂
Kass W
Granola is delish! definitely a favorite!
Marie
I love Muesli, but I eat regular oatmeal almost daily.
Colleen
I would have to admit that oatmeal cookies are my absolute favorite way to get my oats. But overnight oats, granola, no meat loaf... Love 'em all.
Kittee
My favorite way to use oats is as a flour in roux!
Amy Skelton
I love oats in overnight soaked oatmeal!
Deanna
Apple cinnamon oatmeal
Kristy
I love grinding oats into a flour and using it in baked goods.
Alicja
It's maybe not original but my true love is oatmeal. Another way to use oats is to add them to bread dough. It gives lovely flavour and texture 🙂
Annette
My favorite way to use oats is in oatmeal raisin cookies made with golden raisins.
Meghan
I've eaten oats for breakfast every day for years now. My favorite is probably a big fat stack of hearty pancakes.
charj
My favorite way to use oats is in oatmeal with non-dairy milk and no sugar
Laura
My favorite way to use oats is in cookies. Guilty as charged.
Nirvana
Freshly made oatmeal cookies are my weakness! However, granola is also my favorite 🙂
Cynthia
I love homemade granola
Mary M. Martinez
Oh, yes, this is very much my breakfast…savory, spicy and healthy!