recipe: the world’s easiest overnight oats
Breakfast is a non-negotiable in my life. Those people who say “oh I had to run out of the house too quickly” or “I ran late today! Haven’t eaten a thing since last night!”... they are crazy people. Without something solid in my stomach, I am sad and I am tired and all I want to do is stay in bed and bemoan the state of the world. Coffee just makes me ill, and the sun does nothing.
Breakfast: I don’t need much. I love eggs and bacon and toasts and waffles as much as anyone, but really who does that on a Tuesday? Or who does that on a Tuesday without falling back asleep?
eggs have their place, and that place is on the weekends.
What I need during the week is something that I can mindlessly spoon into my mouth while trying to open my eyes enough to read the news. Something that feels clean and has some weight. Something that grounds me in the day to come.
For the last few months, I’ve stuck to a steady mother-approved diet of oatmeal with various nuts and fruits. Good for the winter, but a little rough going on sticky summer mornings.
So when my dear friend Alex told me about the world’s easiest breakfast that was also cold, and not cereal, I was in.
All you need:
- Quick cooking oatmeal oats: Preferably the kind that cook in 3-minutes. Quakers works here, as well as the fast Irish stuff. Go cheap, you'll be fine.
- Almond milk: I swear by the Trader Joe's plain stuff. Use flavored versions at your own risk, and note that if the consistency is on the thin side you might want to use less.
- Cinnamon, or some other form of spice
- Fruit, frozen or fresh, such as berries or peaches
To do:
The night before: Dump a bunch of oats in a bowl. Recommended: ½ cup for normal eaters, ⅔ - ¾ if you’re me, 1 cup if you’re a marathon runner. Add the exact same amount of almond milk.
Sprinkle cinnamon on top. Add fruit. Note that frozen fruit does not need to be defrosted, it will handle it self. Cover in wrap or with a lid and refrigerate.
In the morning: Take bowl out of fridge. Remove lid. Consume.
If you’re really great at planning ahead, make enough for the week and never think about breakfast again.
