So, what's great about oats?

This recipe is part of a Community Larder series, where the main ingredient is available to you for free from the Community Larder on campus or at the city centre location.

Oats are a great source of fibre, easy to use, really filling, versatile and very cheap - oats tick all the boxes and if you haven't already you should try to fit them into your diet.

So why did we choose to focus on oats?

We had lots and lots of packs of oats left behind by students, and they are great in porridge but also versatile in many other dishes.

Some oaty ideas:

• Use 50/50 with flour when making a crumble

• Add a couple of tablespoons to your smoothy base mix to add a smooth creamy texture

• Oat cookies

•  Flap jack

• Make your own muesli?

• Or how about savoury porridge?

What is the difference between porridge vs rolled oats?

•  Porridge oats are crushed or ground, usually from course to ground. These have a chewy and creamy texture.

• Rolled oats are flattened whole grains and have a more rustic look and texture

• There are so many options for a breakfast fix from a premeasured simple pot that you fill with water to bags of premixed overnight oat dry mix.

These can be a more expensive option. So why not give making your own breakfast by trying out our overnight oat option. The ways you can make this tasty breakfast your own based on what you have in the fridge and like to eat are endless.

Overnight oats (with your choice of mix)

Prep time - overnight

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 50 grams of rolled oats

• 100 grams of liquid (milk, oat, coconut, soya drink)

• That is the basic ingredients ratio of 1:2 with oat and liquid.

Method

1. Mix the oats and liquid together.

2. Split into two equal portions and chill overnight.

3. Now the fun bit, this basic recipe can be made your own by adding any combo below:

• Add some vanilla essence to the base mix.

• Add a grated apple to the mix.

• Add a teaspoon of chai seeds to the base mix.

•  Mix a spice like cinnamon to the base mix. The mix can be sweetened with sugar, syrup or honey.

• Add a couple of spoons of dried fruit.

• Add yogurt over the top in the morning when the oats are soaked and semi set.

• Top off with some toasted nuts.

• Top off with some fresh berries.

Make sure to check out the other Community Larder recipes.