[devonbarmygardener]

This is probably going to seem a silly question but I've never toasted oats before!!

If I do a big batch under the grill will they keep once toasted OR is it better to toast small amounts as needed??

I don't like porridge but I'm after a healthy snack for night shifts involving toasted oats, Total greek yoghurt and some various dried fruits - or fresh fruits if I have fresh! :happy:


Also - any other ideas with oats (cos they're very good for you - boost immune system; lower cholesterol; good source of fibre... and so on) that DON'T involve milk!  

[mumofstig]

Apple-Oatmeal Bars

1 cup oatmeal
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2  chopped apples preferably cookers
1/2 cup of sugar


Mix all the ingredients, except the apple and sugar, in a bowl to a breadcrumb like texture
Pat half into an 8x8in pan.
Layer the chopped apple on top.
Sprinkle with the sugar
Crumble remaining oatmeal mixture on top.
Bake at 190C/gas 4 for 35 minutes.

[devonbarmygardener]

Sounds good.

One of my colleagues soaks oats in fruit juice I think, or is it water and then adds fruit - it's some Slimming World thing I think??

[arugula]

I make muesli which we have for breakfast every day. We do have it with milk, but you can soak the oats in apple or orange juice overnight or for a few hours and serve with yoghurt. I use in varying proportions pumpkin or mixed seeds, apricots dried or fresh, dried cranberries, dried sour cherries if I can get them but fresh would be good, blueberries are great in it, banana, apple, some hazelnuts.. the list is endless really, use your imagination and try not to use too many dried fruits.

[devonbarmygardener]

mmm I have plenty of almonds and seeds to add thinking about it.
Thanks for the reminder.

[arugula]

Flapjacks are great too, but they tend to have rather a lot of golden syrup or honey in them.

[devonbarmygardener]

Mmm yes -avoiding those!!

[compostqueen]

I make the WW energy booster bars which have honey in them. Recipe in HLC

Also with muesli you can just soak it in apple juice if you don't want dairy

[Trillium]

If I do a big batch under the grill will they keep once toasted OR is it better to toast small amounts as needed??

I used to buy a local brand of organic toasted oats that was fabulous. Bought it for years until the owners retired and no one bought the idea or equipment   

Toasting really brings out the flavour of the oats and makes all the vitamins more available.

So yes, you can toast them under the broiler but spread them thinly over the pan so all the oats get a chance under the grill. Then stir them up to toast the other side (as much as possible) without browning them in any way. Try one batch to see if you like them before doing anything big.

[devonbarmygardener]

Thanks all.

Didn't go quite to plan yesterday!

Toasted oats - great - won't be mixing them with yoghurt until I'm ready to eat them as they turned into a solid mess that I tried 2 spoonfuls of before a patient had a GI bleed and threw up which put me right off!
Patient was OK! :happy:

30g oats was too much as well for my snack so going to try again for tonight but take the oats with a little fruit separate from the yoghurt and mix when required!

I did lay them out on a baking tray nice and thinly Trillium and transferred them onto a cold plate to cool as the tray of course stays really hot for ages! And they only take a few minutes of course to it's not like they're time consuming.

Might try those energy booster bars CQ - do they keep well?

[compostqueen]

Seven days if wrapped up in greaseproof paper. The freeze them too. I do them individually as it's easier then just to eat the one