Sunday, December 22, 2013

Easy, Cheap, and Healthy Breakfast: Green Overnight Oats

I'm teaching a cooking class in January that will focus on  improving nutrition in the New Year. I think one of the easiest things people can do to improve their nutrition is to add a serving  of vegetables to their breakfast, but I also recognize that most people don't want to eat a bowl of steamed kale first thing in the morning like I do. I've been trying out a few recipes with the hopes of finding something really easy and healthy that incorporates a serving of greens in a way that doesn't taste like it has a serving of greens in it. I think I've found a  winner! This recipe is an amalgamation of a couple of overnight oat recipes I've tried out: this one from the Whole Foods website, and this one from Oh She Glows. This recipe is filling, quick, cheap, and easy to make. It's also awesome because it is ready to eat when you wake up, and can come to work with you if you don't have time to eat it at home. The recipe makes enough to fill four pint-sized mason jars with enough room at the top to add some nuts and fruit if you desire (but it's totally delicious as is). The other thing I want to note is that this has no sweetener in it other than the bananas which I find pretty amazing. I have only eaten this cold so I can't vouch for its deliciousness warmed up, but I bet it would be tasty that way too.
Green Overnight Oats
3 bananas
3 cups milk (I used almond milk, but use whatever kind you like)
4 1/2 Tbs chia seeds
juice and zest of one large orange
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large bunch of spinach, washed
2 cups rolled oats
Combine bananas, milk, chia seeds, juice and zest, and vanilla extract in a blender and blend. Add spinach and blend until smooth (You may want to do this in two batches depending on the capacity of your blender. Also, a blender works slightly better than a food processor for this, but I've used both with fine results). Put 1/2 cup of oats in each jar (or use cereal bowls) and pour approximately one cup of the mixture from the blender into each jar.  Stir each jar until the oats and the liquid are well-combined. Cover and refrigerate overnight (will also keep in the refrigerator for a few days with no problem).  In the morning, top with a small handful of nuts and any fresh fruit you desire and enjoy!

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