Wednesday 6 May 2015

Overnight Oats


My original post title was supposed to be "Overnight Oats.....Yarrrrckkkkss!!!". I mean, seriously, oats. Raw oats. Soaked in liquid. Until they bloat and become soggy. How could that be palatable?



I have seen quite a number of posts on overnight oats. Based on my past experience with oats as in oatmeal, I cannot imagine eating raw oats. Already the cooked oats held no place in my heart (and I do not want any in my stomach), what more raw bloated oats?

But when I saw a recent post on SK's blog, somehow I just had to give it a go. At least once for the experience. So here I am and I was feeling extravagant. Which is rare. I bought these.



The strawberries cost me RM12.99 and the blueberries RM10.99. Life is short my friends. Once in a while, give yourself a treat. Just a few weeks ago, I lost an ex-classmate to cancer. Looking back, there were a few of my peers who went way too early. 



Every time someone goes, it is a time to reflect. When is my turn? We all have to go one day. Death is a certainty in life (don't get me started on taxes. By the way, have you submited your tax returns?). Though we must look forward, we should not look too far ahead.



Our expiry date is in God's hands. So live life a day at a time and make the best of every moment, even the lousy ones. There is really no point worrying about your end of days. You don't want to wake up one day, sitting on your bed at 99 with the sudden realization that "Gawd! I'm still here! I wasted the last 50 years worrying about dying!". So don't worry. Be happy. Eat oats. Live long.

Let's get started. Get a bottle or any vessel. And oh yeah, I bought two small bottles of yogurt drink. I reckon yogurt is too thick. 



For starters, I put 1/2 cup of baby oats into the bottle and then I poured the mixed berries yogurt drink (200ml) into the jar. I used a spoon to stir and ensure that the oats are submerged in the liquids.



Actually, I should have put 1 cup of oats because the next day, even though the oats were bloated and softened, the mixture was still quite watery. In the morning, I added sliced strawberries and blueberries into the overnight oats.



To be honest, the first spoonful did not get me all excited. The first thing that hit me was the smell of the oats. But after a few spoonfuls, I thought it was not bad at all. Of course the very fresh strawberries and blueberries made it a very enjoyable experience. After a while, yeah, I like this. The oats actually have a nutty aroma and it was not difficult to eat at all.



My breakfast kept me quite full until way past lunchtime. Good eh? I was very encouraged to have another round of overnight oats since I had one more bottle of yogurt drink. This could be the beginning of something good.



This time I used a glass bowl with a clip lock cover. And yes, I doubled the amount of oats. Instead of baby oats, I used rolled oats. The amount of liquids (strawberry yogurt drink) was just nice to cover the oats. I left the mixture in the fridge and you wouldn't believe it that I was actually looking forwards to my breakfast hah..hah...



What can I say? I ate my breakfast with gusto. The oats were soft and soggy in a good way and this time I welcomed the nutty oaty smell. The best part was of course the blueberries bursting in my mouth. This is a rare treat as I won't be able to afford blueberries and strawberries every week.



But our local fruits would do just as well, like bananas or mangoes. I actually regretted buying only two bottles of yogurt drink. So if you are skeptical about overnight oats like I was, you ought to give it a try . Who knows, you might be converted just like me hah..hah..

Hmmm... I must put yogurt drink on this week's shopping list. Bananas too! 




Photobucket

This post is linked to the event, Little Thumbs Up organised by Zoe of Bake for Happy Kids and Doreen of My Little Favourite DIY and hosted by Cheryl of Baking Taitai.

74 comments:

  1. HI Phong Hong

    just to share..if you like soya milk, u can use that too:) i make my overnight oats with reduced sugar almond soya milk, add chia seeds, and some dried apricots...v yummy too:)

    regards
    octopusmum

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    1. Ah! That's a very good suggestion. In fact I have a packet of chia seeds in the fridge. Yes, will definitely try the oats with soya milk!

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  2. Ahhhh, overnight oats.. Never tried, but always wanted to try.. I'm like you, I don't like raw oats.. I only like my oats with condensed milk.. I buy instant Quaker oats, mix with hot water, and add condensed milk.. That, I can eat a big bowl.. But raw oats soaked in milk? Actually I want to try for a long time already, but too kedekut to buy expensive fruits like strawberries and blueberries to go with it.. Last week, I saw raspberries selling for RM20.90! Ok, after reading your post, I think I want to try overnight oats too.. But I won't be putting yoghurt drinks inside, I'd just stick to milk, and top with bananas (and maybe some strawberries), and see how that goes :)

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    1. Louiz, I don't like condensed milk wor... And I can't take milk because I will run to the toilet within 5 minutes (lactose intolerance). Milk and bananas will be good for you to try with the oats. My next one, I will use bananas because berries are much too expensive.

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  3. Hi PH, I still rmbr when I made overnight oats and u saw it, you weren't too keen! I also had the same impression at the start, but having all those yummy fruits makes this really yummeh!

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    1. Yen, I do remember that post! At that time, I just could not accept the idea but look at me now hah..hah...

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  4. My all time favorite breakfast choice is overnight oat. Yours look so fantastic. Mine is just plain rolled oats in milk with raisin and chia seeds, and I eat that every day.

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    1. Yannie, now wonder you are so slim. Like that I must take it for breakfast everyday too!

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  5. I always want to try, but was so lazy that in the end, didn't try out doing myself...

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    1. Sharon ah, this is a very lazy breakfast one. Just put oats in the container, pour yogurt drink or milk and chuck in the fridge.

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  6. I hate oats! Even worse...raw oats! I'm not sure if I'm game enough to try. I think your oats received a lot of help in the taste dept from the expensive strawberries and blueberries. But I did like your presentation though in a maison jar! ;D

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    1. hah..hah...I hated oats too! But I am slowly accepting them with this overnight oats. You are right, the berries made it a wonderful experience and I'm thinking bananas will make it nice too. Will try variations this weekend!

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  7. At one time not too long ago, everyone was raving about this on Facebook and in blogs. Has died out already though...like the air fryer, juicing...and all the rest. These trends don't stick around very long - maybe people are still into them but they don't bother to make a fuss over them anymore.

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    1. Yup, there are many food fads that die out soon enough, like mason jar meals. At one time there were so many posts on beautifully packed food in mason jars but I don't seem to see them anymore.

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  8. Hi Phong Hong,
    This is healthy breakfast, I know. Yes, I've tried it but I don't really fancy it though and had added more fruits, raisins etc. to "cover" the soggy oathy texture that I don't really like. My big kids too ... they preferred baked oats like in muffins or fruits crumble etc. But I don't mind to have this healthy breakfast once in a blue moon. Oh, I see you have fallen in love with this Overnight Oats ! ^-^ !

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    1. Karen, no worries! I thought that I would dislike it too. But I think the beautiful berries made me change my mind hah..hah... Let's see how long I can last....

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  9. Wahhhh PH... this post made the overnight oats sound so tempting and of course, healthy!! Like you, I cannot imagine myself drinking overnight oats..but I do drink a cup of BG22 oats each morning.. and I think I gonna make a mug of instant oats now.... !!

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    1. Claire, I was surprised that I actually like this! Am going to do some more this weekend.

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  10. wah... this is both a healthy and philosophical post.

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  11. Yours is indeed a treat. Wow. strawberries and berries! Yummms

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    1. Lina, I can't afford the berries all the time. Time to switch to pisang :)

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  12. I prefer hot meals in the morning, but don't mind trying overnight oats once in a blue moon.

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    1. Agnes, hot meals are more ideal in the morning I think. But somehow I am OK with this cold oats!

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  13. Hi PH, I have tried these overnight stuff and to be frank was quite put off by the thought initially but after trying for a few days and getting good results in the toilet, it is my go to breakfast whenever I have problems lol! Sorry to make it sounds yucky. I do add a couple of tablespoons of yoghurt and honey plus milk to make this without the yoghurt drinks.

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    1. Jeannie, hah..hah...yah, the fibre in oats helps us to go, go, go in the toilet! I rather like the idea of overnight oats as breakfast since it is something prepared the night before. Makes it hassle free in the morning.

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  14. You are going to be a sage the way you expound on life like that.

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    1. Ah....I am getting sagely with age :)

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  15. Hi Phong Hong, I'm like you, who is quite adverse to the idea of eating overnight oats (though I like oats in oatmeal cookies). I think I should be brave like you and give this a try!

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    1. Hi Jasline! Try it at least once and decide if you like this or not. I was surprised that I actually liked it!

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  16. Ha ha...actually I love oats and I have tried overnight oats too. But frankly, I would prefer to give the overnight oats a slow boil for a short while and consume it plain without adding anything. Just rolled oats and plain water. The slow boil makes the oats very creamy and smooth. But it will be a treat if some fruits are added.

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  17. PH, welcome to bandwagon!! Yes, as unlikely as it sounds, overnight oats are actually pretty yummy. Roll oats is the best. I soak it in half milk and half water so it is not too thick. Yogurt drink is too expensive haha. Add a drizzle of honey is nice too. Enjoy your healthy brekkie :))

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    1. Hi Esther! I am thinking of using soya milk next since I can't consume milk. The things we can add to the overnight oat is endless and I am game to experiment.

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  18. oh, so you really went to give this overnight oat a try!! hahaha.. but yours certainly looks more high class than mine lah, you have got blueberries and strawberries, and i have to say, match perfectly with the mixed berries yoghurt you used!! mine just simply hantam anything that i have, raisins and sunflower seeds and almonds.. errr, i actually prefer more nuts, i just love that crunchiness.. that is why, i don't soak the nuts together but only put them in when the overnight oats is served..

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    1. Ha..you lah made me so curious about the overnight oats :) I am glad that it turned out well and I am happy with this for breakfast. Yours is actually just as good because you have got raisins, sunflower seeds and almonds too! I am going to add nuts to the next one.

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  19. i didn't put in that much yoghurt.. actually i have no measurement also, just agak-agak put in and then i just have the liquid cover just to the surface of the oats.. that's what i mean by "equal amount", lazy to go and make exact measurements lah.. i actually prefer my overnight oat to be thicker, don't really like it to be watery, of course, i will keep a little bit of the yoghurt, just in case when the oats become too thick the next day, i can still add in the remaining yoghurt so that it's easier to makan..

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    1. Agree that it should be thicker. My first one was too watery so I adjusted the second one and it was just nice.

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  20. hahaha, very true!! this is really filling and can last for some time, i think the oats continue to "expand" inside our stomach, so we actually have one stomach full of oats in the end though we just ate in very little.. next time i will try to make layers, i mean one layer of oats with one layer of greek yoghurt and then one layer of fruits, and repeat.. haha, i can imagine it being so colorful and sharp for photos, but i know when i have my hands on, things will kaput and everything will blend together, and in the end, give up, hahahaha!!

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    1. That layering sounds interesting but hee..hee..so lazy lah to do like that :)

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  21. so you gave it a try, didn't like it at first, but then you like it the second spoon and then you love it and have it in your shopping list!! i always love oats and yoghurt, and this just suits my taste.. i showed my colleague and initially he thought that was yucky, but later as he tried some, he says very nice!! haha~~ :p

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    1. Ya lah, I never thought that it could be nice. Very surprising indeed. The best thing is that it is easy and can be made ahead. Next morning just add fruits or whatever ingredients and breakfast is ready!

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  22. I have been making overnight oats for my wife for over a year now. I would make 2-3 jars at one go using strawberries and black grapes with cashew nuts and raisins. I would pour strawberry flavoured milk over it without the need to stir. Next day it would taste heavenly nice and starts my wife's working day a happy and healthy one.

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    1. TM, you are such a good husband! I am loving my overnight oats and glad that I tried it in spite of being sceptical.

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  23. Put some kacang and figs ,not kacang tanah

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  24. Hi Phong Hong, I was thinking about this overnight oats for a long time but still hesitate to try. LOL
    Till date I still eat oats traditional way cook until smooth and creamy.:))
    Maybe I should try it our soon....hahaha...

    Best regards
    Amelia

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    1. Amelia, since you are OK with oats, I think you will like this :)

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  25. With all those berries you put in sure will be very tasty! I did the overnight oats with water only because I do not want all those sugar in the yogurt drinks.

    Hah, how come you talk about death and eating healthy in the same post? In order to live as if today is the last day, there is no need to eat healthy at all, just go whack all the siew yuk and bacons, ok! :D

    I don't want to live long because I have seen many elderly people with healthy bodies but with their minds gone (dementia), just living without recognizing any one in their lives. So sad and frightening for me.

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    1. Mun, I agree with you that yogurt drink contains way too much sugar. I do want to stay healthy and whack my bacon once in a while hah..hah...

      If we live long, we must have both faculties intact - mind and body. Yes, I definitely do not want to live long with dementia and cause a lot of problems to other people.

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  26. If you are really purely after the health properties of oats, best not to use yogurt drink. Just look at the amount of sugar used in each bottle :/ ... You could put soy milk instead...

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    1. Yup, fully agree with you on that. There's a lot of sugar in yogurt drinks and also in flavoured yogurt. I've put unsweetened soya milk in my shopping list :)

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  27. Hi Phong Hong,

    When you said that you said that your original post title was supposed to be "Overnight Oats.....Yarrrrckkkkss!!!"... I knew that you don't mean it at all!!! I have heard about all the goodness of enjoying this form of oats for breakkie and I knew that you can't be that much different from others???!!!

    Glad that you like this healthy way of enjoying breakkie... Do you wish to link your post to Cheryl's Yogurt LTU event at http://bakingtaitai.blogspot.sg/2015/04/little-thumbs-up-event-may-2015-yogurt.html ?

    Zoe

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    1. Hi Zoe! Oh, it's LTU yogurt already! I was still thinking about chicken hah..hah... Thanks for the reminder. Yes, will link up soon :)

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  28. Hip hip hooray for Phong Hong. Glad that you grow to love your healthy brekkie.
    Berries are selling like gold over here ::p The price here is double compare to yours.
    Thanks for sharing the wonderful brekkie to LTU!
    mui

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    1. Hi mui mui! I am very happy with my new brekkie!

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  29. Hi Phong Hong, it's my first time visiting, nice to know you and I have added you to my bloggers list in my blog. When I first made this overnight oats, I thought my hubby was gonna say Yuks too as he hated oat porridge since young but I loaded it with mangoes, strawberries, blueberries and dragonfruit...and he loves it. Now he is the one who request that I made for him...hehe! Thanks for linking with LTU and looking forward to more of your sharing! :)

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    1. Hi Cheryl! Thank you for visiting me :) I am glad that your hubby loves overnight oats too! I am now a fan and had another round of overnight oats this morning hee..hee...

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  30. The first time I heard about this oat-soaked-in-yogurt-drink as I call it is from my daughter. She was not well that time and her close friend Kathie, made this for her. But she didn't tell me if it is overnight or she just made it in the morning. The photo that she sent me looks inviting. So I asked my daughter to ask Kathie for the recipe. And she said just to mix instant oats with yogurt drink. And I did just that, using mango flavoured drink. What I didn't do is keep it overnight. And guess what, surprisingly I enjoyed it and finished the whole bowl. So I think, I will stick to my mix-and-eat oat instead of keeping it overnight. :D

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    1. Hello Mama! If you just mix and eat, tak keras ke the oats? I had another serving this morning using multigrain soya bean milk and bananas. Sedap giler!

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  31. Hey! I love overnight oats. You can try soaking your oats in some apple juice and then just topping it off with some yogurt, nuts and banana in the morning. Tastes heavenly. :)

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    1. Hi Yvonne! Thanks for the suggestion. I did not think about soaking the oats in fruit juice, It sounds good!

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  32. OMG! Thanks for this every informative blog here right now! OMG really, this is another thng to spice up our everyday sad oats morning routine! :)

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    1. Hi Stevevhan! Yes, this makes oats so tasty :)

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  33. dont looks appetizing to me, but believe it have plentiful of nutrients and great health benefits.

    guess i am just not the oat guy :D

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    1. hah..hah...That's what I thought too, Irvine! But I have changed my mind :)

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  34. Lol....sk gonna charge commision liao. Looks like we all also get inspiration on blog post from his blg..

    Wah youovernight oat full of goodies leh

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    1. heh..heh...At first thought sure tak sedap but then it turned out nice pulak!

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  35. I have always been curious about overnight oats. I mean, I love oatmeal. This should be my next step!

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    1. Cathleen, you've got to try it! I had another one this morning and it was awesome!

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  36. ya, hv been seeing overnight oats posts for some time and nvr get around to do it. healthy stuff, hope i 'm gonna like it too..

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    1. Lena, I have a feeling you will like it like I did!

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  37. I also don't like oats. But after making the overnight oats last 2 weeks, I found that it is quite good. I used rolled oats, milk, dried cranberries and add roasted almonds in the morning. I read somewhere that you can use almond milk, home made one is best....

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    1. Hi Berry Lips! I am now a fan of overnight oats and have been eating that for breakfast for the last one week. Unbelievable!

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