Masala Oats / Healthy Vegetarian Breakfast Recipe

Masala Oats

Masala Oats is a nutritious and tasty savory Oats recipe . A recipe with an Indian twist where Oats are cooked with mildly spiced up Vegetables. I remember how difficult it was for me to make my Son eat Oats. He was fed up of eating the same sweet oats porridge and it was then when this Masala Oats came to my rescue . Now every time I ask him what he would like to have for his breakfast , my jumping jack with a spark in his eyes says Oats Porridge Mumma !

Masala Oats is not only very easy to make but can be made in a jiffy . A perfect dish to satisfy ones spicy cravings and to brighten up any lazy morning .

Oats is considered one of the healthiest foods on earth. It a power house of Vitamins, proteins, amino acids, and essential fatty acids . Oats is packed with dietary fibers and minerals such as Manganese, Thiamine , Magnesium and Phosphorous. Being very low in saturated fats, sodium and cholesterol , it is very low in calorie and helps in weight loss and maintenance of optimum health.

Ingredients:

• Quick Cooking Oats - 1/2 cup ( I used Quaker )
• Chopped Onion - 1 small size
• Vegetables of your choice - 1 cup. ( I used Carrot, French beans, Green peas and Sweet corn)
• Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
• Paav Bhaji Masala or any Curry powder- 1/2 tsp
• Pepper powder - 1/4 tsp
• Salt as per taste
• Oil -2 tsp

     Method:

1. Cut the Carrots length wise , chop Onion and French beans. Have used frozen green Peas and Sweet Corn. You can add any Veggies of your choice. Addition of Vegetables with Oats makes this dish wholesome .

   2. Heat a wok on medium heat with 2 tsp oil. Add Cumin seeds. Once the Cumin seeds splutter add the chopped Onion and saute.

   3.  Now add the French beans and cook until the beans become soft. Beans take little longer to cook compared to other veggies. Add the rest of the vegetables and stir fry for 1 minute. My son loves veggies and eats them both in raw or cooked form, but for the fussy eaters, you can cook the veggies in pressure cooker and mash them and use in this porridge .

   4. Add Pav Bhaji masala and Turmeric powder . Mix well. Now add 2 cups of hot water. Add salt and black pepper powder. If you do not have Pav Bhaji masala can use any Curry powder or garam masala . Pav bhaji masala gives this porridge a nice savory taste without making it too spicy. You can add red chili powder or chili crush to make the dish spicy. The water to be added depends on the type of oats you have used and also the consistency of the dish you wish to keep. 

   5. Add the Oats and mix well. Cook for 2 minutes . Once the Oats turn soft , put off the flame.

   6.  Serve the porridge in a bowl and garnish with Mint leaves or Coriander leaves. Can sprinkle some lemon juice too. Enjoy this healthy and filling breakfast hot as on cooling the porridge becomes dry.