It is January and I need to get fit. I have spent the winter almost hibernating, staying indoors as much as possible next to the fire, which was very comfy, but a no no in my long ignored fitness plans.
But before any decent plans happen – I need to make sure we have a decent breakfast. If my hero, Buzz Aldrin, had oats before he stepped to the moon, then porridge was the order of the day. Just check out this fun, inspiring TV campaign telling you about it.
Oats are good, filling and set us up for a healthy start*. And popular too – my youngest really loves Quaker “oaks”. And you should have seen her face when I told her that these particular oats have really been into space – that made her demand them before school so she could tell her friends that she ate “space oaks” for breakfast. That must have given the teacher something to think about!
This blueberry pistachio porridge recipe is very slightly adapted from a galactic swirl Quaker Oats recipe – a bowl of cinnamon porridge topped with a delicious swirl of fruit. I didn’t have all the fruits they suggest – but I think it worked pretty well with what I had (what do you think) and anyway – it was polished off fast enough!
Well that was breakfast sorted – next was my fitness plans, aka my first major winter bike ride. Why? Because last weekend the weather was fine (in a clear, sharp and rather beautiful way, not in preferably 30 degrees Celsius African kind of way). And what do you do on a fine day – your whole family goes for a bike ride.
Or, at least the others were going on a bike ride and ignored me thinking that I would do my usual “are you crazy, it is winter!” But I decided that I really did need to get out, get fit and break in that new bike Freddy had got me last year.
Seems almost embarrassing that I haven’t’ done it sooner, but there you are. And it was glorious. Cold to start with, then warmish as we went up hill and then down-hill (which my eldest says is faster than a roller coaster) again. I had forgotten what fun it was. And I even managed to go a whole 5 miles without a single complaint about the cold. Peeps, me not whining about the cold is a BIG thing.
So – I did my first winter family bike ride on a bowl of Quaker Oats. What about you? What mighty new things have you done fueled by a bowl of oats? And what new recipes would you whip up if you have your very own bowl of space oats?
Oh and peeps, if you want to find out more about Quaker Oats, along with some really innovative recipes then please visit Quaker.co.uk or visit them on Instagram or Facebook.
Now here is how to make a rather lovely , creamy, vegan blueberry pistachio oatmeal. Enjoy every mouthful.
- *Oats contain oat beta-glucan which has been shown to lower blood cholesterol. High cholesterol is a risk factor in the development of coronary heart disease.
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Blueberry Pistachio Porridge & Awesome Space Oats (Vegan)
Ingredients
- 100 g (3.5 oz) blueberries divided
- 1 sachet oats so simple
- 180 ml (3/4 cup) almond milk
- A pinch of ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp pistachio kernels chopped
- Any other toppings of choice.
Instructions
- Place half the blueberries in a blender and blend into a puree.
- Place the other half of the berries in a saucepan with a tsp of water and simmer for 5 mins until the berries have softened.
- Place the oats in a microwave bowl with the milk and cinnamon and cook according to the packet instructions.
- Using a tsp to drizzle a spiral of puree on top of the porridge. Use a skewer to drag out the lines all around the spiral. Scatter the cooked blueberries in a galactic curve pattern, followed by the pistachios and any topping of your choice.
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Ruth Meaney says
26/01/2017 at 10:00 amThese look so so beautiful! You’ve inspired me to throw some blueberries into my porridge. I usually cook my porridge with some dried fruit and always cinnamon. Glad to hear you had fun on your bike ride 🙂
Bintu says
26/01/2017 at 9:25 pmThanks Ruth, I aim to do many more bike rides.
Igor @ Cooking The Globe says
26/01/2017 at 11:22 amLove the colors! I would love to have such a breakfast every single morning.
Bintu says
26/01/2017 at 9:26 pmI know right.
Kate | Veggie Desserts says
26/01/2017 at 11:32 amGorgeous oatmeal! I love the space theme. I hope you had a lovely family bike ride 🙂
Bintu says
26/01/2017 at 9:26 pmI soooo did, so much so that I plan to do another one.
Angela - Patisserie Makes Perfect says
26/01/2017 at 11:36 amI agree I need to get fitter as well! These space oats look like so much fun and I bet they taste amazing.
Bintu says
26/01/2017 at 9:27 pmYeap this space ‘oaks’ recipe is awesome.
Sarah says
26/01/2017 at 11:37 amYes, this sounds absolutely delicious! But I can’t get over the gorgeous colors and the variety of textures in this as well! What a perfect dish….seriously!
Bintu says
26/01/2017 at 9:27 pmThank you.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
26/01/2017 at 1:16 pmThis looks like a beautiful, delicious and nutritious breakfast. I hear you about eating healthier….I am in the same boat. I have never heard of these “Space Oats”…Quaker yes. Wonder if it is only in the UK?? I am in Canada.
Bintu says
26/01/2017 at 9:28 pmI dont know actually if you can get them in the usa.
Platter Talk says
26/01/2017 at 1:43 pmMMMMMMmmmm, Just noticed that I had some fresh blueberries in the fridge. Going to try this our today!
Bintu says
26/01/2017 at 9:28 pmEnjoy 🙂
Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen says
26/01/2017 at 3:10 pmHow cool is that – the best way to entice your kids into eating oatmeal! This is a gorgeous bowl of porridge, and I love how the swirl looks all space and galaxy-like.
Bintu says
26/01/2017 at 9:28 pmI tried very hard on the galaxy swirls 🙂
Amanda says
26/01/2017 at 3:45 pmOh, my gosh! This sounds perfect! I love my morning oatmeal and this is so beautiful! I bet it would be good with strawberries, too.
Bintu says
26/01/2017 at 9:29 pmYeap, it does.
Elsa | the whinery says
26/01/2017 at 9:15 pmSpace oats! I like that. I started eating oats in the new year too. I make it in the morning and bring it in with me to work, and sometimes I eat it for lunch!
Bintu says
26/01/2017 at 9:29 pmOvernight oats are brilliant for lunch
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes says
26/01/2017 at 11:37 pmI have blueberries and pistachios!! I can totally make this for breakfast tomorrow!
Kristine says
27/01/2017 at 12:11 amI would have never thought to add pistachios, but I love them and this breakfast sounds like perfection! I can’t wait to try this!
Jennie Durren says
27/01/2017 at 12:50 amThese look SO COOL. My preschooler likes to refuse most food right now but he loves space and I wonder if this might tempt him into eating oats. The rest of us love oats for breakfast (or honestly, for lunch or dinner).
Christine says
27/01/2017 at 1:19 amIt’s great to have a warm breakfast in winter and makes such a difference. I love all the lovely flavors in the porridge!
lisa @garlicandzest.com says
27/01/2017 at 1:36 amThose oats look phenomenal! I am a big believer in oatmeal, it’s healthy and keeps you full. This bowl looks absolutely amazing! Nicely done!
lisa @garlicandzest.com says
27/01/2017 at 1:37 amThose oats look phenomenal! I am a big believer in oatmeal, it’s healthy and keeps you full. This bowl looks absolutely amazing! Nicely done!
Margaret says
27/01/2017 at 9:53 pmCertainly a twist on my oatmeal -definately give this one a go
Willow | Will Cook For Friends says
29/01/2017 at 6:26 pmThose oater space oats are so fun! Oats are one of my go-to breakfasts, and this looks so tasty. And bravo for going out in the cold for a bike ride! I really need to get out and move more, but the cold has kept me inside. Maybe I need to make a bowl of these mighty oats to get up the courage!