Since March is National Nutrition Month and this year’s theme is “Go Further with Food,” I would like to share one of my most favorite recipes I’ve created! The best part is that it can be enjoyed at any time of day.
Whole grains are defined as a grain of any cereal and pseudo-cereal that contains the endosperm, germ and bran, in contrast to refined grains, which retain only the endosperm. Whole grains are packed with nutrients such as protein, fiber, B vitamins, antioxidants and minerals including iron, zinc, copper and magnesium. A diet rich in whole grains has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and some forms of cancer. 
In today’s fast-paced world, where most of us want to spend less time on cooking, we forget that by doing so, we also are not consuming whole grains and other healthy foods. Therefore, I thought of creating a healthy, savory whole grain dish that can be enjoyed any time of day. This dish can be consumed with plain Greek yogurt, too, which adds another layer of flavor and extra nutrients.
Anytime Oats
Serves 8
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked steel cut oats
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped carrot
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 to 3 fresh chopped green chiles
- 1 tablespoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Instructions
- In a medium pot, combine oats and 4 cups water.
- Add oil, vegetables and spices. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and cook for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally so oats don’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
- When oats are cooked, let sit for 4 to 5 minutes and garnish with cilantro, if desired, before serving.
