Steel Cut Oats Upma

As we all know, whole grains are so important for a healthy lifestyle. They help reduce cholesterol, cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Steel cut oats are whole grains that are fully packed with many nutritional values. They are rich in proteins, fiber and vitamins.

Coming to the recipe today: Upma is a staple breakfast in many households. It is usually made using semolina. But these days there are many healthier options, where we can use whole grains like quinoa, oats etc. in place of semolina. Today's recipe is not only easy to prepare but loaded with tons of health and taste. I know the picture I posted for this recipe doesn't look that good. I was in a hurry when I was clicked the picture. I used my cell phone to click it. I will replace the picture with very good and clear picture soon.

Ingredients: (Serves 2) 1 cup Steel cut oats 2 cups Mixed vegetables (carrot + green beans + peas + corn) – I used frozen 1 small Onion, chopped 2 Green chillies, slit lengthwise or chopped A small piece of Ginger, peeled and chopped Salt 2 cups Water For Seasoning/Tempering: 1 tsp Mustard seeds 1 tbsp Bengal Gram (Pachi Senaga Pappu, Chana dal) 1 tbsp Black Gram (Minappappu, Urad dal) Few Curry leaves 1 tbsp Oil Preparation: Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large, deep skillet. Add mustard seeds. When they pop add urad dal + chana dal and curry leaves and roast well. Then add onion + green chillies + ginger. When onion becomes soft, add all the vegetables and sauté well. Then add water + salt to the vegetables and bring to a boil. Then add oats, and mix well. Cover and cook over a medium flame for some time. When the upma is done, the oats should become soft, but chewy. If the oats don't seem to be cooked well, pour some more water and mix well. Cover and cook again until the oats become soft. Enjoy the healthy and great tasting steel cut oats upma with desired chutney.

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Oats Kheer | Oats Payasam

A healthy and yummy dessert

As we all know, whole grain products like oats are so rich in nutrients and fiber. Now-a-days oats are the most eaten breakfast cereal in most households due the health benefits they possess. They help in lowering cholesterol levels and are full of antioxidants and contain many more health benefits. 

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Oats Chutney – Zero Oil

We all know the goodness of oats, don’t we? Oats are very good for the heart! It lowers the cholesterol levels and the antioxidants in the oats help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. It also enhances our immune system against infections.

I am trying to incorporate these healthy oats in the daily food as much as possible. As I am a spicy lover, I wanted to make chutney out of oats. But I didn’t tell my hubby about it when I served him this chutney with dosas. I was looking at his face for the reaction, but he was quietly eating the dosas with the chutney. So I was little bit relieved. He is the biggest critic of all my experiments. I asked him if he liked the chutney and he said it was good, and discovered that it was not made with nuts (I usually make peanut chutney or dalia chutney for dosas). I revealed the truth to him and he agreed it was yummy.

And moreover no frying involved and it is as simple as ABC. Did I mention no oil?

Ingredients:

• ½ cup rolled Oats
• 1 ½ tsp dry red Chili Powder
• 1 tsp Coconut Powder, dry
• ½ tsp Rasam Powder
• A pinch of Asafetida (Inguva, Hing)
• A pinch of Turmeric Powder
• A few Curry Leaves
• Salt to taste

Preparation:

Just add all these ingredients in a blender and grind into a smooth paste by adding little water. Adjust salt. That's it! We had this chutney with dosas. It tasted yummy and created a good feeling that it is healthy!

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Oatmeal and Chocolate Chip Cookies

Great tasting Cookies

I made these for the monthly challenge of “Sweet and Simple Bakes” event hosted by Maria and Rosie. This is the first time I am participating in this challenge as I was so much attracted by the simplicity of the baking recipes they provide and also to improve my baking skills. Thanks for hosting such a nice event Maria and Rosie! The cookies have come out well and were delicious. 

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