Oats,commonly known as ' Daliyaa' in Hindi is becoming one of my favourite superfoods as its so delicious and can be used in so many ways. Classed as a foodgrain and consumed all around the world in various forms,its a healthy , filling and a vital source of energy known to aid cholestrol control and provide vital nourishment to children and adults alike due to its high fibre content .
Porridge is a classic staple breakfast in Scotland and in many other nations and is available in various versions and flavours.My favourite is ' golden syrup ' flavour where oats are flavoured with the wicked ' golden syrup ' which is a decadent overwhelmingly sweet and addictive thick syrup used in desserts just like ' Treacle syrup ' used in brown scones and maple syrup used in 'Appam ' like mini scotch pancakes .
Porridge can be simply made by adding milk to rolled oats and microwaving for 5 minutes, topped with honey ,its a delicious, warm breakfast and can be had with a topping of nuts and raisins or freshly sliced bananas too.You can also make your own 'granola' by simply dry toasting rolled oats with almond flakes with a little butter until its golden brown.This granola mixture is so handy when you need an instant no-cook breakfast - just mix a little honey to plain yogurt, thrown in a handful of freshly chopped fruit and top with toasted home made toasted granola and voila - you have a tasty,fibrous,filling breakfast at your fingertips .
You can use ' pinhead oats ' to prepare a classic apple crumble topping and for 'Cranachan' which is a retro dessert traditionally prepred for 'Burns' night'.I also add rolled oats in my favourite choco-chip cookie batter .Recently I tried making eggless oat cookies with dessicated coconut and it turned out quite good , so I'd like to share the recipe for my vegetarian friends :
Ingredients :
1/2 cup plain flour
1/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup dessicated coconut
3/4 cup rolled oats
50g butter
2 tablespoons golden / maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Method :
1.Preheat the oven to 160degrees celcius .Line two baking trays with parchment paper .
2.In a mixing bowl, mix together the flour,coconut and rolled oats.
3. Melt the butter and golden syrup.Dissolve baking soda in 2 tablespoons boiling water and add it to the butter and golden syrup . Stir this wet mixture to the dry ingredients.
4.Place heaped tablespoonfuls of this cookie batter and flatten with the back of a spoon .
5.Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Tip - Cookies will be slightly soft and brittle when you remove them from the oven,so do wait until they cool down completely before your store them in an airtight cookie container .
