Thai Oatmeal
Pictured at the top of this post, the most photogenic of oatmeal variations is Thai Oatmeal. Named as such for the spoonful of Sriracha piled atop the cooked oats, other condiments in the bowl include soy sauce (about 1 tablespoon-worth), scallions, and sesame seeds. When available, adding Thai basil is a pretty darn good idea, too! This is all topped with a poached egg, which you can learn how to make most effectively here.
Oatmeal a la Carbonara
Traditional spaghetti carbonara, such as this recipe describes, calls for a raw egg added to the cooked pasta in order to give the dish a creamy texture. This oatmeal is topped with a poached egg instead of a raw one, but the parmesan cheese, high-quality olive oil, and generous grind of black pepper echo elements of the original dish. If you have some cooked bacon or pancetta lying around (unclaimed? forgotten?!), consider adding it atop this oatmeal as well.
Spinach-ed Oatmeal
If you need an extra helping of greens in your diet, this is surely among the more delicious ways to get it. While the oatmeal cooks, mince a clove of garlic and add it to 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Next, add one to two cups of spinach and let it wilt in the pan as you stir to coat it with oil; this should take about 3 minutes. Put atop the oatmeal, along with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, and top with a poached egg and some red pepper flakes. Voila! You’re healthier already; in fact, glowing! Must be your delicious breakfast.
Try out one of these variations this week, and marvel at what a few additional touches can do to a boring ol’ bowl of oatmeal. Whether sweet or savory, what are your favorite oatmeal toppings?