by Michael
Before Shrek and Highlander came on the scene, my brothers and I grew up wishing we were Scottish. We would yell at each other in our Scottish Brogue, and pine for a family tartan that we could use for our highland dress. Marisa and I have gone to many highland game events here in the Salt Lake Valley and I have had dreams of being a caber toss champion. Don’t ask me why I have been enamored with all things Scottish for so long since I don’t have any Scottish ancestors. The closest I come is some Irish MacTaggart’s on my mom’s side.
Now that you know some of my background, imagine my joy when I found out that my personal breakfast of champions has Scottish roots. About three times a week I have oatmeal and eggs for breakfast. I cook a 1/2 cup of rolled oats with water, and dried fruit, add a little honey, and in the immortal words of Emeril ,"BAM" a yummy healthy filling meal. Then I scramble 1 egg and 2 egg whites to add a little protein and I am set for the day.
Due to the short wet growing season of Scotland, oats became one of the main staple grains for Scottish peasants. It was ground into powder to 
make porridge. Yes, the same porridge that Goldilocks thought was just right.
I think it’s just right as well, for a variety of reasons.
1) It is full of Vitamin A, Iron, Calcium, and B complex vitamins. These all help with the health of your heart.
2) It is a whole grain and a complex Carbohydrate. Therefore it takes longer for your body to digest it and it helps your blood sugar level off so you feel fuller longer.
3) Oatmeal actually helps you reduce your bad cholesterol levels while at the same time leaving good cholesterol in your blood,
4) Oatmeal tastes yummy.
There are many kinds of oatmeal and I plan on following up this article with another about the different varieties of oatmeal. In the meantime, here is a great recipe to try if you aren’t a fan of normal oatmeal. I would be surprised if you don't love it. It is a big hit in our house.
Baked Oatmeal
Serves 4-6 people
1/4 Cup Oat Bran
2 1/2 Cups rolled oats
1/4 cup Steel Cut Oats
2 tsp Baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 Egg
1/3 Cup Apple Sauce
1/4 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Brown sugar
2 Cups Fresh Fruit
In a large bowl stir together oats. Add remaining ingredients (except the fruit). Put in a small cake pan (9x9) and bake covered for 20 minutes then uncovered fro 20 minutes at 400 degrees.
Enjoy!
Not an oatmeal fan, myself. But I am a fan of all things Scottish. I am enjoying your posts, Michael!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhat are steel cut oats?
ReplyDeleteKaren,
ReplyDeleteThe oats that most of us are familiar with have normally been steamed and rolled into flat pieces to make them easier to cook. Hence the common term rolled oats. Steel cut oats are whole grain oats that have been cut into 2 or 3 pieces so they are processed less and look more like cracked wheat. Many local grocery will have them next to the oatmeal and they will say steel cut oats on the package.
Thanks. I want to give this a try.
ReplyDeleteYay! I want to try this. We love rolled and steel cut oats - but steel cut (Irish) is our favorite if we have time to cook them.
ReplyDeleteWe are not Scottish, but Celts from the other end of the British Isles - we are Cornish but we do eat porridge for breakfast every day, cooked just in water, that's it nothing else and we eat that every day!
ReplyDelete