I love this time of the year when everything feels fresh and new. New days fill with new dreams and hopes and plenty of easy, sunny days around here. Just reading a book, having long conversations about everything and nothing and the same time, taking a nap, walking barefoot around the garden, watching our baby girl grow by the minute and preparing lots of foods together with J. Oh, I wish for more days like these to come. We made foods that in a way can be put together easily and also save us time.
Since having Lia, we decided to change things a little in the kitchen and started to prepare things ahead, like lentils, quinoa, chia seeds and oats. So we can quickly prepare lunch using the lentils or quinoa or make a quick, satisfying breakfast or snack with oats for the afternoon. Moreover, keep us going throughout the day until dinner. We like making oats toasted. Toasted oats are our favourite, they have a nice nutty flavor when toasted, are easy to make and a great superfood to add to a bowl of yogurt and fruit for breakfast in the morning or any time of the day, really. And we also use them as topping for smoothies and desserts, our favorite a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with toasted oats and coconut flakes! You can toast the oats in the oven, keep them in a sealed container, away from sunlight, preferably in a cool, dark place; they will keep fresh for four days! Great isn’t it! It saves us time in the morning, when we are hungry, in a hurry ready to start the day. Lately, we have been eating a lot of blueberries since they are in season here. And caramelized green apples with blueberries, yogurt and toasted oats have been the hightlight of the week!
Green Apple + Blueberries
with
Toasted Oats Recipe
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1 C. Oats, {I use quick oats} 5-6 Medium Green Apples, cut into wedges 1 C. Blueberries, {you can use fresh or frozen} 3-4 Tbsp. Honey, agave or coconut sugar 2 tsp. Vanilla extract 3-4 Tbsp. Unsalted butter, to caramelize the apples
Preparation:
To Make the Toasted Oats: Preheat oven to 180C/350F. You don't need oil or butter to toast the oats. Simply spread oats over an ungreased baking sheet, making a thin layer, so they can roast evenly.Bake oats for 10-12 minutes, stir occasionally using a wooden spoon or spatula. When ready, a lovey nutty aroma will fill your kitchen! Remember to preserve toasted oats in a sealed container, in a cool dark place. They can be kept fresh to four days.
Caramelized Apples + Bluberries: Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat, add apples, vanilla extract and honey and sauté for about 9-10 minutes. Add blueberries just a couple minutes before apples are about to be ready. Serve with yogurt and toasted oats!
