Start your day with a hearty muffin that combines whole wheat and oats with apples and warm spices.
Toasting the oats and coconut adds a tasty twist to fruit-and-seed bars.
Oat groats are cleaned, toasted, hulled whole oats. Because they are minimally processed, they retain much of their nutritious bran, germ and endosperm. Steel-cut oats are whole groats that are cut into two or three pieces. If you can't find oat groats, substitute wheat berries, whole spelt, brown rice or any whole grain, cooking according to package directions.
Toasting the oats is the key to making these drop cookies absolutely irresistible, as it deepens the flavour and crisps up the texture.
Rolled oats are a healthy addition to pancakes. Our mix makes enough for one batch of healthy pancakes, but you can double or triple it. Present the mix in a festive jar or an airtight container, such as a cookie tin, with the Cinnamon Oat Pancakes recipe (see below) on a matching card. Add a bottle of maple, birch or fruit syrup for a special gift.
Dried papaya, pineapple and mango infuse toothsome oats with a taste of the tropics. This makes a great sunny breakfast for a cold blustery morning.
The muffin cups will be full, but don't worry, they won't overflow. Toasting the oat bran brings out its earthy, warm, nutty flavour. For a twist on the original, try substituting dried figs for the dates.
With a quick turn in the microwave, this provides a nourishing start to the day. Serve with milk, honey and bananas.
This sophisticated twist on shortbread makes an elegant holiday gift. Tie a few wedges in pretty ribbon or stack them in a box – either way they're sure to be well received.
