Oatmeal Recipe

Say goodbye to bland oatmeal for breakfast with this Middle Eastern twist on a classic oatmeal recipe! You will explore the vibrant flavors of cardamom, rose water, pistachios, and creamy tahini to create a breakfast experience that will leave you craving more.

Who wouldn’t love a warm bowl of delicious oatmeal, especially during the cold months? Even though we rarely get these here in Dubai, oatmeal is still one of my favorite breakfast dishes, and this recipe is inspired by Middle Eastern flavors that transport classic oatmeal to a whole new level.

Oatmeal recipe ingredients:

• Oats: I have used gluten-free rolled oats.
• Plant-based milk: any plant-based milk can be used; I have used almond milk in this recipe.
• Cardamom.
• Tahini
• Maple syrup is an optional sweetener, and you can use any sweetener.
• Rose water.
• Toppings are optional. For this recipe, I used fresh slices of bananas, chopped pistachios, edible rose petals, and a drizzle of tahini.

Ingredients tips & notes:

• There are different types of oats, and not all are created equally. All oat types originate from the Whole Oat Groats, which is the whole intact form, not processed, and not what is usually used to make oatmeal. The most common oat types used to make oatmeal are steel-cut oats, which are minimally processed and take longer to cook of all types. Next, rolled oats, the most commonly used oats, are less processed than the other types, such as quick and instant oats. Those being the most “processed” and ” the least healthy” of all types of oats.
• Cardamom might not be a common ingredient in oatmeal recipes, but it is used in many Arabic and Middle Eastern dishes, specifically desserts. It has a strong and unique taste and is an aromatic spice to cook with. It is pretty potent and “expensive,” so use only a small amount to flavor the oatmeal.
• Rose water is another classic Middle Eastern ingredient primarily used in desserts. Its floral, fruity, and sweet flavor makes it a potent ingredient that can easily overpower other flavors, so use it carefully—a little goes a long way.
• To further enhance the Middle Eastern “theme” in this oatmeal recipe and take it to a new level of creaminess, you do not want to skip on tahini! Add it while the oats are still cooking, and allow it just to melt and blend with the oats and other ingredients. Alternatively, you can drizzle it on top of your cooked oatmeal.

How to make Oatmeal recipe:

• Start by heating a saucepan over medium heat, then add the oats, milk, and cardamom powder. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Continue stirring for 5 minutes, then add tahini. Stir the tahini into the oatmeal thoroughly, allowing all the flavors to blend.
• Next, it is time to add maple syrup or your sweetener of choice and turn the heat off.
• Lastly, add rose water and stir until the oats are ready to be served.

How to serve oatmeal:

The best part of making oatmeal is serving it, aka ” presentation.” As they say, you eat with your eyes first, so presentation is vital when you serve oatmeal.

When serving oatmeal, the topping choices are endless; I think it’s just up to each person’s taste. I highly recommend using pistachios. The combination of cardamom, rose water, and pistachios transforms this oatmeal into a dessert for breakfast.

For freshness, slice ripe bananas and scatter them across the oatmeal. Add fresh edible flowers, which add a pop of visual appeal to your oatmeal bowl. Lastly, drizzle creamy tahini for a finishing touch.

Leftovers:

If you have leftovers, let the oatmeal cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container and storing it in the fridge. It can last up to 2-3 days in the fridge.

It can be enjoyed straight out of the fridge as overnight oats, or add a splash of milk/water and heat on the stovetop for a couple of minutes.

Recommended Recipes:

For more plant-based breakfast ideas inspired by Middle Eastern flavors, try this eggs and potato recipe, or this zaatar manakish; both are gluten-free. Also, check out this date milkshake, and this rice pudding recipe, if you are looking for a dessert-like breakfast.

Another dessert-like breakfast recipe you might want to try is this Blueberry Cheesecake Overnight oats or this overnight quinoa recipe.

If you make this recipe, I’d love a comment and a rating. Please make sure to tag me in re-creation on Instagram @veganbilaraby. I love to see your take on my vegan recipes 💚