Vanilla Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats with Ginger Orange Poached Pears

Vanilla Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats with Ginger Orange Poached PearsSteel cut oats are the culinary version of a warm cozy sweater. They are nourishing, warm and grounding and will keep one comfortably satiated for hours. This type of oats takes longer to cook than rolled oats so they are not ideal when things are rushed, but for lazy mornings spent lingering around the house, perhaps with the rain pounding or wind howling outside, they are a perfect breakfast. Once cooked they are still slightly firm, form a thick consistency and have a nutty taste that goes nicely with fruit, nuts and/or yogurt. Vanilla Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats with Ginger Orange Poached PearsFor this version I added in some cooked, puréed pumpkin to make it more vibrant and add in some extra vitamins and antioxidants. Vanilla, along with cinnamon, contribute some warming spice. Steel Cut Oats My go-to ratio for a thick creamy consistency is 1 cup of steel cut oats to 3 cups of water and 1 cup of milk, with or without the addition of moist extras like pumpkin.Vanilla Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats with Ginger Orange Poached PearsVanilla bean has a more potent flavour but pure vanilla extract works too. Vanilla BeanTo use the beans, make a long slice down the top and scoop out all the tiny black seeds then dispose of the husk.Vanilla Pumpkin Steel Cut OatsOnce the oats are cooked, set them aside to cool for around 5 minutes and they will thicken up. They will continue to thicken as they cool further and leftovers can be baked in the oven for a muffin like consistency or reheated on the stove with some extra milk.Ginger Orange Poached PearsAdding fruit to oatmeal gives it some sweetness without having to use refined or concentrated sugars. Poaching pears in orange juice and zest with some ginger makes them tender and succulent and keeps the dish seasonal. The orange juice cooks down and becomes a sweet glaze while the ginger adds in a burst of sharp flavour. Ginger is one of my favourite cold weather spices. It has a warming effect on the body and it helps with digestion, a process that can become a bit sluggish as we enjoy the heavier foods of fall and winter. Its medicinal properties have been appreciated for many thousands of years all around the world and gained endorsements from Confucius, Dioscorides and Pliny and mentions in the Kama Sutra and Koran. Ginger Orange Poached PearsThe pears do not require much attention, simply simmer them for 20 minutes, then flip them for the last 5.Ginger Orange Poached PearsHazelnuts and pecansTopping it all off with nuts like pecans and hazelnuts add in a bit of crunch and some healthy fats and minerals.Vanilla Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats with Ginger Orange Poached PearsI also like to add in a scoop of plain Greek yogurt with a dusting of cinnamon for some extra protein.Vanilla Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats with Ginger Orange Poached PearsA bowl like this is filled with healthy fats, complex carbs, protein, fiber and a wide range of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants- all the components we need to feel full and keep us functioning well.

Vanilla Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats with Ginger Orange Poached Pears
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Serves: Serves 4
INGREDIENTS:
  • Oats
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 cup steel cut oats
  • 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée (1/2 15 oz can)
  • 2 tablespoons butter (or coconut oil for dairy-free_
  • 1 vanilla bean
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pears
  • 2 pears (best if they are still slightly firm)
  • 1 cup orange juice (from 2 large navel oranges)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • Optional toppings: plain Greek yogurt, sprinkle of cinnamon, chopped nuts, pumpkin seeds, raisins or dried cranberries, maple syrup or honey
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium high heat. Add in the oats and toast them until fragrant and golden brown, stirring constantly, for around 3-4 minutes. Add in the water and turn the heat to high to bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and leave to simmer for 15 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl whisk together the milk, pumpkin, vanilla and cinnamon. Stir it into the oats and leave to simmer for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally so the bottom does not burn.
  3. Place the pears cut side down in a skillet with the orange juice, orange zest and ginger over medium heat. Leave to simmer and flip the pears over gently with a large spoon for the final 5 minutes.
  4. Once the oats are done set them aside for 5 minutes to cool and thicken up.
  5. Spoon the oats out into 4 bowls, top with the pear and the orange glaze at the bottom of the pan (along with any other toppings) and serve hot.

Vanilla Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats with Ginger Orange Poached PearsVanilla Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats with Ginger Orange Poached Pears

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