Haitian Oatmeal
This Haitian oatmeal recipe is not your ordinary recipe. It is a version that most Haitian make. It has the consistency of porridge and is very filling and delicious.
It is raining and humid, and the day is just dreary. I am in need of some comfort food that will make me feel whole again. Lately, I have been trying my best to exercise every day and following doctors’ orders. Today I think I deserve a morning break. I woke with the rain knocking on my bedroom windows and the smell of wet leaves and wet grass. This translated to me as a lazy and comfy day. Hey! What about some good old and tasteful Haitian Oatmeal?
Why this is my preferred Haitian oatmeal recipe
I called this dish Haitian Oatmeal because this is the recipe I grew up with. This recipe may also be similar to many other Caribbean islands’ versions. This is not your ordinary oats with water, salt, butter, and sometimes sugar. No dear! It is so delicious that comfort food will leave you returning for more.
Writing this post reminds me of my late mother. I am not kidding when I tell you that my mom, may she rest in peace, would make oatmeal or “avoine” (as we call it in Haiti – not the Creole translation) 2 -3 times a week. But I am not done! My aunt (mom’s sister) goes a bit overboard with oatmeal. She will have it for breakfast and sometimes even for lunch 4 – 5 times a week.
I know we have several family members who suffer from high blood pressure and high cholesterol, but let’s face it! Oatmeal 1 – 2 times a week is acceptable to me because I like to eat various types of food weekly. But more than that will make me want to run away from home. LOL.
A few benefits to know about oatmeal
I know doctors and many medical associations have said that oatmeal is packed with serious nutrition, and maybe I should rethink my oatmeal weekly intake, or should we all do? I think we should go just for the sake of being healthy.
According to a Decision Analyst survey, in the U.S., Americans consider oatmeal to be the fourth healthiest food from a list of 70 foods and beverages. Despite this, Dr. Matthew Brennecke, a board-certified naturopathic doctor practicing at the Rocky Mountain Wellness Clinic in Fort Collins, Colo., has observed oats are still not popular in the American diet. “Oatmeal is a pretty underutilized food and has, unfortunately, become less and less popular in the American diet, yet it maintains a very cheap price tag loaded with benefits,” he told Medical Daily in an email.
That is a surprising statement, and maybe my recipe should be made available to anyone who thinks oatmeal is not tasty and should not be part of their diet.
If I have not convinced you yet, then here are 6 reasons why you should consider adding oatmeal to your diet:
- Boosts energy
- Protects Skin
- Supports Weight Loss
- Prevents Diabetes
- Boosts Heart Health
- Reduces Colon Cancer
Not quite convinced, read more at Benefits Of Oatmeal: Why You Should Add The Power Food To Your High-Fiber Diet.
A great bowl of oatmeal starts with plain rolled oats or steel-cut oats, cooked in water or milk or a combination of both, with spices such as cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg for a delicious comfort breakfast meal.
I cannot forget my lemon rind that gives it a kick of citrus and star anise, which I seldom use because the cinnamon gives it the flavor I need. Oh!!! What about some good vanilla extract? Now, what would you do without my Haitian Oatmeal today with this gloomy and rainy weather?
Come ‘on, go ahead, make this delicious comfort meal and just lay down on your couch with your favorite book or watch your favorite television show.
Also, don’t forget to try My favorite Oatmeal Coconut Cookies recipe.
Enjoy my Haitian Oatmeal recipe, and let me know what you think.
Extras:
- Rolled oats (also called regular or old-fashioned oats): Oat groats that have been steamed and rolled into flakes that are thicker (and thus take longer to cook) than instant oats
- Oat groats (“whole” oats) are the most intact form, only the outermost inedible hull is removed. Steel-cut oats (also known as Irish or pinhead oats) are simply oat groats that have been cut into two or three pieces with steel blades, slightly decreasing their cooking time.
- The power food is rich in vitamins, minerals, and lipids, which possess endless benefits for our health
- Add ground Flaxseed for a healthier breakfast.
Sources
http://www.webmd.com/diet/oatmeal-benefits
Haitian Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 cup of quick or rolled Oats
- 2 cup of water and 1 – 12 oz. can evaporated milk or 2 – 3 cups whole milk or your preferred milk
- 1 large cinnamon stick
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- fresh ginger about 1 inch in length
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 lemon rind about 1 inch
- Pinch of salt
- Sugar to taste
- 1 anise star
- 1/2 teaspoon of Vanilla optional
- 2 cups of water
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1/8 cup of sugar or to taste
Instructions
- Soak the oats in 1 cup of water or 1 cup of milk (not evaporated milk) for at least 30 minutes. In a large saucepan, add remaining (1 cup) water and bring to a boil. If you are using milk only than add the milk to the saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add the cinnamon sticks, peeled ginger, anise star if using, and lemon rind and let boil for at lean 3 – 4 minutes.
- Add oats and stir. Add evaporated milk if using or add whole milk or your preferred milk. Bring mixture to a boil, then lower heat, add pinch of salt, vanilla extract and ground nutmeg. Stir to incorporate and let cook for about 2 – 3 minutes while stirring to avoid the oats from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.
- Once the oats have cooked, and the mixture is almost similar to porridge texture, add sugar to taste and continue to boil the mixture until the sugar has disolves for about 3 – 4 minutes and stirring occasionally.
- Remove cinnamon stick, lemon rind and ginger slice before serving hot.
Notes
It is best to use real oats like Quaker Oats my preferred brand, but you may choose your preferred brand.
The use of oatmeal packets is not recommended.
Remember, if using milk, use milk to soak the oats and milk to finish cooking.
Use whole milk, lactaid milk, 1% or 2% milk.
Add ground flaxseed for a healthier breakfast.
Nutrition
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.
Nutrition info is automatically generated and provided as a courtesy and as an estimate only.
This tastes so good! Thanks for sharing. I never had oatmeal this way. I added milk instead of water. The lemon rind and the spices make a huge difference in taste.
Recipe is confusing
Thanks for your email. Let us know what the confusion is and we will be glad to provide further details or information.
this sounds great! I’m looking fora new breakfast.
It is a bit different and the spices make it even better. Thanks for visiting us.