Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal

Several years back, I discovered the only way to make oatmeal. If you already have your own favorite method, feel free to stick to your guns, but if you're open to trying out something new, well, this just might change your life. At the least the oatmeal sector of it. (And it's as simple as an overnight soak!)

I have a few go-to ways of flavoring our oatmeal on a regular basis (including this one), but when the calendar said September and the weather turned a bit cooler, it was time to mix things up a bit.

Please let your fears be allayed—I'm not the person who frantically runs to the grocery store or (*ahem*) certain chain beverage establishments for everything pumpkin spice. Let's be honest; most of those things are far more about spices and sugar than they actually are about the pumpkin.

But this delightful breakfast bowl . . . oh, it embraces the pumpkin.

Rounded out with a panoply of warm spices, lightly laced with maple syrup, then topped with fragrant pecans, this oatmeal is an autumn treat.

Please give this a try, and enjoy. May it delight you as much as it does me.

• 1 cup oats*

• 1 cup water* for soaking

See instructions for overnight step.

• 1 cup water or plant milk for cooking

• ½ tsp. salt

• ½ cup pureed pumpkin (fresh or canned)

• cinnamon (several hearty shakes)

• ground ginger (several hearty shakes)

• freshly grated nutmeg (large pinch)

• cloves (a pinch)

• optional: pinches of cardamom and white pepper

• 1 T. of flax meal, chia seeds, or psyllium husks

• 1 T. maple syrup

• optional: 1 - 2 T. avocado or olive oil (this adds richness; omit if aiming for low calorie density)

• walnuts and pecans, to serve

Ingredients

Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal

Serves 2

Instructions

1. The night before, mix together the oats and 1 cup water to soak. Cover and let sit on the counter overnight. (Use a glass, ceramic, or stoneware bowl for this; avoid plastic.) *Bonus: If you have sourdough, you can stir in a tsp. of starter at this point.

2. In the morning, to a small pot add 1 cup water (or milk), the bowl of soaked oats (don't drain), the pumpkin, spices, and salt. Heat up to a boil, then reduce to simmer. Total cook time should be about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to avoid scorching. Adjust cook time to your preferred thickness.

3. Once cooked, turn off the heat; add oil (if desired), seeds, and syrup. Stir.

4. Serve into warmed bowls, and top with nuts.

Last updated: August 30, 2024