Thursday, May 10, 2012

Quaker Instant Oatmeal: Maple and Brown Sugar and my Semi-Faux Avena Drink Experiment

It's strange that I should want to write about oatmeal.

Oatmeal.

Why in the world am I writing about oatmeal?

It's probably one of the more mundane and unexciting food staples available.

Well...this site isn't called My Random Food Delight for nothing.

When I was younger, I was never really big on oatmeal. I'd see it on the corner of my kitchen cupboard, shrug, and say "eh."

It didn't exactly rock my world.

Back in 2004, when I visited my sister in the U.S., she had this particular brand and flavor of oatmeal lying around in her cupboard.

I never actually had flavored oatmeal before then. I was used to the regular old fashioned oats or the instant ones that came plain. I didn't hold out much hope on this, but being bored without anything better to do or to eat at the time, I decided it was best to steal a sachet from my sister's stash and try it out for myself.

I took a bowl, and made the oatmeal following product instructions.
Put in bowl.
Add 1/2 cup water/milk.
Done.
Whew! So complicated.
With a tentative first bite I ingested the mellow sweet tones of maple syrup interlaced with brown sugar goodness. Oatmeal like I had never imagined it.

Only then did I understand what I had not understood before: Oatmeal was not boring.

It had the potential to be anything and everything - but I just didn't see that at first - what with the variety of things and flavors you can combine with it. Disguised in an unassuming mien of ordinary, it is the foundation of great creations and delectable desserts.

I also understand that some people may look down on this being instant and all, but it should not be a deterrent to what instant can inspire or to what has inspired the creation of instant. For those lazy like me, instant is always an option. For those with time and energy, you can always opt to make it from scratch. (See How I Use it section below for recipe recommendations).

While it may seem like a bizarrely overenthusiastic endorsement of oatmeal, I think it is well-deserved. It has lasted this long and needs some love and appreciation. So here's to you, oatmeal! For the years you've graced our kitchens, sustained us, and kept us healthy!

How I use it: By itself or in desserts, or for an exciting alternative: made into avena (see recipe below). Also check out Kath Eats Real Food and her Tribute to Oatmeal as well as HealthySexyHappy for delicious inspirations for eating oatmeal.

Health claims: The product makes no particular health claims, other than helping reduce cholesterol and
being a good source of calcium, iron and 8 other essential vitamins and minerals.

Price in Php: (as of 2012) to be updated

Where I have so far found it: Shopwise (Libis); SM Hypermarket

Shelf-life: Not specified

Product Websitehttp://www.quakeroats.com/products/oatmeal/instant-oatmeal/maple-and-brown-sugar.aspx

Other product notes/usages: According to the manufacturer, it is made from 100% whole grain Quaker Oats.
My Recipe Note: To be honest I don't know if my recipe qualifies as being called avena. Wikipedia says "Avena is the Spanish word for "oatmeal". In Nicaragua, Colombia, and some other Latin American countries, the word is used to refer to a drink prepared using oatmeal."

I have come across a lot of recipes which more or less use the same ingredients, but I wanted to try to make a kind of variation on it just for added excitement. I did not want to offend hardcore avena purists if my recipe did not match up to their standards. Ergo, I called it my "semi-faux avena drink" experiment to adhere to the Wikipedia definition, and to alleviate any complaints purists might have against my recipe. Critics be kind.

My Semi-Faux Avena (Oatmeal Drink) Experiment
Serves 3-4

Ingredients:

1/2 packet of pre-made Maple and Brown sugar oatmeal sachet (See pictured above)
1 1/2 cups milk or any milk variety you prefer. (I used soy milk)
1 cup water
1 banana
Honey
Maple syrup
Ice


Directions:

Follow directions to make the oatmeal (See pictured above). When oatmeal is cooked, pour half the mixture into the blender, along with the milk and banana. You can add a tablespoon of honey and a tablespoon of maple syrup or sweeten it to your preferred level of sweetness. Add ice and blend. Pour in glass and drink.


Mix everything and blend!
Pour.
Some notes: Some adjustments can also be made in terms of thickness and temperature. If you prefer more thinner consistencies, feel free to add more water or milk or lessen the amount of oatmeal added. Also, since the cooked oatmeal might still be hot, you can opt to cool it first, add then add cold water or milk, or simply leave the blended drink in the refrigerator to make it colder.

Additionally, the use of maple and honey were purely experimental. I used maple syrup to bring out the maple-iness of the Maple and Brown Sugar oatmeal and honey, since it's generally a healthier alternative. You can also opt to just use maple syrup, or just use honey. Feel free to experiment.
Sprinkle with cinnamon for aesthetic appeal or just cause you like cinnamon.
source
Arriba! Mexican hedgehog likes his aveno oatmeal drink.

Monday, April 30, 2012

The Cauliflower Crust Pizza Experiment

Why it delights me: I recently stumbled upon a blog that introduced me to cauliflower crust for pizza. Who had also evidently came across another blog who found it from another blog etc...which all featured this.

Cauliflower crust?!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Suncoast Vitamin Boost: Strawberry Kiwi


Why it delights me: One random road trip back in 2011 had us stop by a 7-11, where my friend, Tina, found this little gem. We were thirsty and hungry, and I went straight for some mango cream cake and water. I don't actually remember if it was water I went for, but I'm definitely sure about the mango cream cake...

Hacienda Macalauan's Pure and Best Chocolate Milk

Why it delights me: Back when I was new to Facebook, I would waste my time in mindless fascination with the online game "Pet Society." Not because I liked the idea of having to take care of a virtual pet, which is...a pretty useless endeavor...but because I liked the idea that I could decorate my pet's home. What can I say? I'm a frustrated faux-interior decorator. It fulfilled me with a false sense of accomplishment, it's sad.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Pacific Foods Hemp Milk


Why it delights me:  The word “hemp” was enough to put a smile on my face. I'll be honest, and say that I haven't had the opportunity to try other hemp brands, so I can't say that this is the best I've tried, nevertheless it was an interesting discovery and a good introduction to hemp milk.

So...what is hemp milk anyway?

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Dongwon Honey Water




Why it delights me:  Honey is definitely a staple in my cupboard. I go through several bottles of pure honey in a year. A natural sweetener, this golden syrupy delight is pure joy on almost anything - from tea, to breads, and other desserts. My general partiality towards honey is what ignited my curiosity towards this Korean-made curiosity:

Marukome: Wakame Seaweed Miso Soup





Why it delights me:  Leave it to the innovation and ingenuity of the Japanese to come up with interesting and delightful products. Miso soup is one of my favorite must-have staples when I go to a Japanese restaurant. It's my go-to food, whenever I'm feeling ill - Chicken soup enthusiasts be damned!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

My Sordid Basil Tale






Why it delights me:  I am a frustrated gardener. Ever since I was young, I've always wanted to grow plants and herbs in my own garden. So, in my childhood, I tried gardening with different types of plants, from mangoes to papaya. I also had a baby cactus that I thought would survive through anything...and...

well...


Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Athenos: Feta Cheese


Why it delights me: It's cheese. How can it not delight me? Now, what delights me in particular is not the product per se...but the controversy over feta in general. The little devil inside me can't help but bring it up.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Wrapsody: Pilinut-filled pastry


Why it delights me: I found this when I was shopping for pasalubong (presents) on my way home from Bicol. It was a last-minute impulse buy. I suppose I was drawn in by its name..."Wrapsody"...and its allusion to

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Silk Pure Almond Milk




Why it delights me:  I have a distant childhood memory of my mom bringing home some almond milk that she discovered during one of her routine grocery outings. I had never heard of almond milk before, but the sheer novelty of it was enough to arouse my childhood curiosity. So I tore at its cap, grabbed a glass, poured it in, took my first sip...and.got.hooked...

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

ChocoATBP: Tsokolate ng Sindikato de Cacao

Why it delights me: Drinking Filipino hot chocolate is one of my favorite pastimes. There's something nostalgic that I love about it that makes me think of cuddling under a warm blanket on a cold rainy day or that makes me remember happy times with friends and family. Of the different forms of Philippine chocolate, tablea is

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Rocky Mountain Cafe: Cordillera Coffee



Why it delights me:  I'm just one in a statistic of other coffee addicts out there. Among the different species of coffee available, my favorite has to be the Arabica, aka Coffea arabica. There's just something about the way it tastes that, for me, sets it apart from other varieties. When I came upon this product in one of my routinary supermarket wanderings,

Monday, February 20, 2012

Chin Hsin: Vegetarian Citrus Spareribs



Why it delights me: I am a meat-eater, but once in a while it's interesting to try a vegetarian alternative. I've tried fake meat before but have been met with several disappointments, due to unpalatable textures and tastes. When I came across this the other day, I thought

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Filippo Berio: Tomato Ricotta

I added it to my asparagus mushroom and chicken pasta on the lower right corner...yumeeh!
Why it delights me:  I generally prefer pasta sauce made from scratch, but once in a while when I'm too lazy or need a quick fix, prepackaged sauces always come useful. So when I came across this small bottle of cheesy and tomato-ey goodness, I thought what the heck...I can't deny cheese or anything with cheese...


Monday, February 13, 2012

Casino Rocher Praline Noir



The red ones on the bottom right picture are Milk chocolate versions.

Why it delights me: For the simple reason that it is chocolate.  I found these French-made chocolates by chance when I was roaming around a certain supermarket. When I think of

Monday, February 6, 2012

Peace Cereal: Maple and Pecan





Why it delights me: There's always something about the maple and pecan combo that excites my tastes buds. I've tried different maple and pecan cereal forms from granola to oatmeal, and I will honestly say that I loved them all...probably due to my general partiality towards maple and pecan products. However, if

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Sanitarium So Nice Soy Milk




Why it delights me: I've been looking for the perfect milk substitute for the longest time. I've tried all kinds of soy, almond, hazelnut, hemp etc. milk products I could find. While most were good, none of them have come close to the milky texture that I've been looking for, until I
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