If you are trying to lose weight this Winter but keep warm at the same time, maybe it’s a good idea to increase your oat consumption. (And if you don’t want oats, try using rice flakes instead). Here are a couple of recipes from Nutri Enews to help you:
Blueberry & Apple Bircher Muesli
Serves 2-3
You Will Need:
• 2 ½ cups / 225g rolled oats (porridge oats)
• 1 cup / 250 ml apple juice
• 1/3 cup / 75 ml rice, almond, oat or coconut milk
• ½ cup / 125ml natural yoghurt
• 1 apple, cored and grated
• Blueberries
• Sunflower / pumpkin / linseeds – whole or ground
- 1.Put the oats in a large bowl and pour the apple juice over. Cover the bowl with cling film and leave in the fridge overnight
- Just before serving, stir in the milk, yoghurt and grated apple. Spoon into bowls and top with blueberries or other chosen fruit and seeds.
Oat Bars
Makes about 9 bars
You Will Need:
• 2/3 cup / 85g raisins
• 3 tbsp orange juice
• 2 ½ cups / 250g rolled oats
• 2/3 cup / 85g dry unsweetened shredded (dessicated) coconut
• 2/3 cup / 85g pumpkin seeds
• 2/3 cup / 85g sunflower seeds
• 2/3 cup toasted pine nuts / sliced almonds
• ½ cup / 125ml rice syrup or agave syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 tbsp virgin coconut oil, melted
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Preheat the oven to 350F / 180C or Gas Mark 4
- Put the raisins in a small pan with the orange juice and heat gently until softened, then cool slightly
- Meanwhile, put the oats, coconut, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and pine nuts in a food processor and process for a few seconds until roughly chopped. Tip the mixture into a large bowl and add the syrup, vanilla extract, both types of oil, and the raisins and orange juice. Stir well until combined
- Press the mixture into a 9 in/ 23cm square baking tin and smooth the top, pressing down firmly into an even layer.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned on top and firm to the touch. Cut into squares while still warm. When cool, store in an airtight container in a cool cupboard and eat within a week.