Monday, July 29, 2024

How You Should Be Doing Oat Bran for Breakfast

Oat bran in a bowl with maple syrup and butter.

Is Oat Bran Better Than Oatmeal?!

Lindsay Ostrom headshot.

For me, at this moment in time… the answer is yes!

I’ve fallen out of a good breakfast routine in the last few years since having kids – mornings feel busy, I’m usually not very hungry, and more often than not, I just start the day with a coffee and a few nibbles of whatever the girls are having for breakfast. Not ideal.

But our good friend OAT BRAN is bringing me back!

  • It’s creamy and soothing, like a porridge. Kind of reminds me of Malt O’ Meal from when I was a kid!
  • It takes so little time to cook. Like, 3 minutes or less.
  • The oat bran alone has 7 grams protein and 7 grams of fiber per serving, plus even more if you cook it into a creamy delight with milk and eggs and add some fruit, which I definitely do!

I use Bob’s Red Mill Oat Bran! (affiliate link) We are buying several of these bags every time I go to Kowalskis (which is where I’m buying it here in the Twin Cities). Bob’s also makes an organic version that you can buy if you’re looking to use organic oats!

Bag of Bob's Red Mill Oat Bran.

You could go bonkers with it (cinnamon, nuts, chocolate chips, peanut butter, honey, etc.) but how I really love it is just plain and simple – a small steaming bowl with a drizzle of maple syrup, a melty knob of good butter, and a few juicy raspberries on top.

We’ve been eating so much of this that we ran out of oat bran a few weeks ago, and both of my girls – who typically love oatmeal – were very disappointed to go back to the regular stuff! They’re hooked on this oat bran right along with me. Guess we’ll be buying oat bran in bulk for the foreseeable future!

Lindsay signature.

How To Make This Recipe

1

Simmer It Up.

Bring oat bran, water, milk, and salt to a simmer and let it get thick. This takes all of 2 minutes.

Pouring milk into a pot of oat bran.

2

When it’s thickened, add your eggs!

Optional, but gives it extra creaminess and extra protein! Just be sure that the pan is over low heat and that you stir continuously to avoid scrambling the eggs.

Pouring a whisked egg into the oat bran on the stove.

3

Whisk on low heat until incorporated!

Keep it moving consistently, over low heat (or even off heat), to work the eggs in without scrambling them. It’ll get nice and thick and creamy!

Mixing the egg into the oat bran in the pot.

4

Yum! You’re done!

I like to add butter, maple syrup, and some raspberries!

A bowl of oat bran with butter and maple syrup on top.
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Oat bran in a bowl with maple syrup and butter.

My Go-To Oat Bran


  • Author: Lindsay
  • Total Time: 6 minutes
  • Yield: 3 servings (I make this for me + my two kids)

Description

High protein, high fiber – I love this oat bran for breakfast! Creamy and soothing + quick and easy to make!


Ingredients

Units
  • 1 cup oat bran
  • 1 3/4 cups water
  • 1 cup whole milk (or milk of choice)
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 eggs or 3 egg whites, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup (more to taste)
  • butter for serving
  • fruit for topping (I like raspberries)

Instructions

  1. Simmer: In a small saucepan, simmer the oat bran, water, milk, and salt. Cook until thickened, 2-3 minutes. 
  2. Add eggs: Pour the eggs in and stir continuously over low heat until incorporated (if it’s too hot, the eggs will scramble, so make sure to stir vigorously and continuously to work them in gradually). I usually do this for 1-3 minutes until I feel that they’ve been heated enough to be cooked. You can use a whisk or a wooden spooon.
  3. You’re Done! Yum! Stir in maple syrup and more water or milk if needed. Serve with butter on top, raspberries, and a drizzle of maple syrup if you want!

Notes

If undercooked eggs are a concern, you’ll want to make sure you heat the oat bran up to 165 degrees in order to eliminate any salmonella risks with the eggs. 

For a protein boost alternative, I also sometimes add collagen protein power to this! (affiliate link)

The longer you keep the oat bran over heat, the more it will thicken and absorb moisture. I often add more water or milk after adding the eggs, right before serving, to make sure it stays creamy and doesn’t get gloppy. The texture reminds me of cream of wheat! 

  • Prep Time: 0 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: oat bran, high protein breakfast, high fiber breakfast, quick breakfast recipe

Questions I’ve Gotten About This Oat Bran

Where do you buy the oat bran?

I use Bob’s Red Mill (they have an organic option) and locally I buy it at Kowalskis. You can also buy it on Amazon! (affiliate link)

How can I add even more protein?

Sometimes I add a scoop of protein powder! Collagen protein powder is my protein powder of choice. (affiliate link)

Does this keep well if you make it ahead?

Similar to cooked oatmeal, it will get gloppy and too tight if you keep it in the fridge after it’s cooked. If you want a make-ahead option, I would try preparing it more like overnight oats with a good soak in milk overnight!

Other add-in ideas?

Frozen blueberries, or other fruit, your favorite jams, a little bit of cream, peanut butter, chocolate chips, flax, hemp, chia! Lots of ideas!

Three More Healthy Breakfast Favorites

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Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Gorgeous Peach Salad

Peach salad in a bowl with mint leaves on top.

Peach Salad Is, Well, The Answer To Everything.

Lindsay Ostrom headshot.

It’s not flashy. But this peach salad has been speaking to me SO MUCH these last few weeks.

It’s a textural wonder: a gentle layering of juicy and slippery, flexible and foldy. We’ve got fresh cucumber, bitey shallots, cooling mint, and sweet fleshy peaches coming together in serious flavor harmony. The lime juice in there wakes it up and makes it feel extra summery, and the flecks of lime zest, salt, and pepper make it feel like something you’d eat at a nice restaurant. (Be right back, I’ve just convinced myself to make it again for lunch.)

Don’t be mad at me: it’s mid-July, and I often just… eat this on its own. Maybe a bit of toasted buttered sourdough or focaccia on the side. Absolute favorite type of summer eating.

But if we’re looking for something a bit more make-it-a-meal here, I can speak to that as well because I pair it with pretty much everything right now.

A dinner plate with rice, spicy shrimp, and peach salad.

For dinners, I started by serving it with air fryer salmon skewers, then went to air fryer chicken, and most recently I’ve been having these rice bowls with spicy shrimp and this peach salad and it is so divine that it’ll likely become a new blog post next week.

Close your eyes. Feel that warm summer air on your skin. Put an imaginary peach up to your nose and breathe in that intoxicating peach scent. We get to eat this gold! Nature has given us these gorgeous foods for such a time as this! ♡

Lindsay signature.

Welcome To My House! Let’s Make a Gorgeous Peach Salad!

1

Slice That Peachy Goodness!

Slices are ideal, in my opinion! Those thin, long pieces just layer together really nicely. You can do it by hand, but a mandoline is my must-have tool for this! (affiliate link)

Sliced ingredients no a cutting board for peach salad.

2

Get The Cucumbers Saucy.

I kind of like the cucumbers to have a softer, more bendy quality in this salad, so I let them sit with the shallots in lime juice, salt, and olive oil for a while to loosen em up.

Mixing shallots, cucumber, and lime by hand.

3

Add Peaches, Mint, and Honey!

Give it a gentle toss. Season as you like. I love hot honey in this salad. Like, LOVE.

Drizzling hot honey on top of a peach salad.

4

You’re Done! Yum!

Seriously so good. One of my favorites for a quick, beautiful, fresh summer meal or side. Also great with avocado slices in there!

Finished peach salad in a bowl.
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Peach salad in a bowl.

Gorgeous Peach Salad


  • Author: Lindsay
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 3-4 servings

Description

Fresh cucumber, bitey shallots, cooling mint, and sweet fleshy peaches coming together in serious flavor harmony! I love this peach salad.


Ingredients

  • 2 peaches, pitted and sliced (about 2 cups)
  • half an English cucumber, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
  • half a shallot, thinly sliced (about 1/4 cup)
  • 23 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 lime, juiced and zested (about 1 tablespoon juice, 1 teaspoon zest)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • mint leaves (about 2 packed tablespoons)
  • 23 teaspoons honey to finish (I like hot honey!)

Instructions

  1. Do all your slicing / prep! I like to use a mandoline for the shallots and cucumber. (affiliate link)
  2. Toss the cucumbers and shallots with the lime juice, olive oil, and a bit of salt and pepper. Let them sit for 5-15 minutes. 
  3. Add peaches, mint leaves, and a drizzle of hot honey. Toss gently to combine. 
  4. To make it extra pretty, serve with extra mint leaves, honey honey, and salt and pepper on top! This salad is so gorgeous.

Notes

Yes, you can use nectarines – it’s great!

I don’t bother to peel the peaches. Long live the vibrant, colorful, fiber-rich peach peels!

If you don’t have a lime, I’ve made this with vinegar in place of the lime juice and it works great. You just need some kind of acidic element. I used white balsamic vinegar but apple cider vinegar or champagne vinegar would also work.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: peach salad, fruit salad, summer salad, healthy salad

Things You Might Want To Know For This Peach Salad

Best fruit of all time?

Peaches. No contest. They are fruit from the gods.

Where do you buy your peaches?

I buy my peaches at Costco almost exclusively! They are consistently SO VERY good, and if not, they are very generous with returns / refunds! Locally I also have good luck with peaches at Kowalskis or Whole Foods.

When is the best season to buy peaches?

June – August! My motto is that once you get your first good peach of the season, it’s time to go HARD on those juicy little beauties until you can’t anymore. The season seems to end so quickly!

How can I add more protein / make this a meal?

I often serve this alongside a protein – air fryer chicken and air fryer salmon are two easy ones that come to mind. I’ve also been LOVING this salad with these chipotle chicken skewers, or that same sauce but tossed with shrimp and sautéed in a pan.

Can I use any other herb besides mint?

Basil would be fabulous.

Can I add avocado to this?

Yes. It’s amazing.

What about burrata?

I added burrata to one of my batches, and didn’t love it because the acidity of the lime congealed the burrata creaminess a bit. Not my favorite.

Can I use nectarines instead of peaches?

Absolutely. I do it all the time. Nectarines are awesome. Use yellow nectarines rather than the white ones, just for a more similar color and taste to the peaches.

Three More Ways To Love Peaches This Summer

The post Gorgeous Peach Salad appeared first on Pinch of Yum.



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Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Honey Chipotle Chicken Skewers

Honey chipotle chicken skewers on a plate.

Prepare For a Lot Of Finger Licking.

Bjork is still rocking the protein guy life, and, okay, I’m trying to eat more protein too, so we make chicken A LOT right now. And as much as I love the absolute all-star air fryer chicken (which is to the maximum), lately I’ve been mixing it up with these honey chipotle chicken skewers.

First of all, these chicken skewers have been approved 10x by my family – every time I make these, I get the thumbs up from my husband AND my girls. The flavor mix is so easy: smoky chipotle, honey and orange, a good amount of taco seasoning, and a bit of fresh garlic. The flavor is sticky, sweet, and smoky all in one. FINGER LICKING DELICIOUS! We have been coming back to them again and again.

Secondly, it’s not complicated at all, but look how pretty!

You don’t have to use the skewers. But come on – they are SO lovely and so fun! If you are looking for something to just shake up the very repetitive daily grind of dinners (it me!), it’s worth the 5 minutes for a little fun skewer showcase moment at dinnertime.

Plus, skewers make these extremely grill-friendly! I have been air frying them, but they are just begging to be grilled. I can feel it.

Chicken, corn, and rice in a bowl with pickled onions.

We like this with corn dip, pickled onions, and green rice. WOW – it is a power combo. I crave those leftovers like nobody’s business. But these chicken skewers also play well with black beans and avocado corn salsa, or thrown on a southwestern-style salad, or tucked into a tortilla for a taco moment!

Welcome To My Kitchen! Let’s Make These Skewers.

1

Soak Your Skewers!

I soak them for 15-30 minutes while I’m prepping the chicken. If you’re air frying these, you may need to break the ends of the skewers off so they fit into your air fryer.

Soaking wooden skewers in water.

2

Cut Up Your Chicken.

I like small bite-sized pieces. I typically use chicken breasts but chicken thighs would also work great.

Cubed chicken on a cutting board.

3

Make Some Flavor.

Lotta flavor goodness in that bowl. Honey, chipotle, fresh garlic, and a bit of honey, and some taco seasoning.

Mixing cubed chicken in a bowl with spices.

4

Thread on Skewers.

Just pile em on there. They should be very well-coated and a nice orangey-red color. FLAVOR!

Chicken on skewers before cooking.

5

Cook Them Up!

I like to air fry them because it’s the easiest (10 minutes and they’re done, with a nice golden burnished looking exterior!) but grilling would be perfect if that’s your journey!

Brown and crispy chicken skewers in an air fryer.

Watch How To Make These Chicken Skewers

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A picture of Honey Chipotle Chicken Skewers

Honey Chipotle Chicken Skewers


  • Author: Lindsay
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 3-4 servings

Description

These chicken skewers are a family favorite! Very easy, deliciously smoky, nice and sweet, with a good amount of spice and bite. Air fryer, grill, and oven-friendly!


Ingredients

Units

Chicken:

  • 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • wood skewers (optional)

Honey Chipotle Mix:

  • 1 1/2 tablespoon honey
  • 1 chipotle pepper, minced
  • 1 clove garlic, grated
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (I like the Siete brand)
  • 1 orange, zest and juice (12 teaspoons zest and 1 tablespoon juice)
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil

Instructions

  1. Soak: Soak the skewers in water for 15-30 minutes while you prep the chicken.
  2. Mix: Using your hands or tongs, mix the chicken with the honey chipotle mix. It’ll look saucy and messy, in a good way.
  3. Skewers: Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers (usually I get 4 skewers with a pound of chicken).
  4. Cook Em Up: You can cook these a number of different ways – I air fry them at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Grilling would also be amazing! Finish with a drizzle of honey, or (yum) 2 tablespoons of melted butter mixed with honey. It’s so good!

Notes

I don’t marinate the chicken, but I do usually let it sit for 10-15 minutes while I prep the other dinner elements. You can marinate the chicken for a few hours if you are making this ahead, or just go ahead with cooking if you’re ready! 

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Air Fryer
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: chicken skewers, air fryer chicken, grilled chicken

Frequently Asked Questions For These Chicken Skewers

Will this recipe work without skewers?

Yes! You can just arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer at 400 for 10 minutes.

How can I make these in the oven if I don’t have an air fryer or grill?

Broil near the top of the oven for 10-12 minutes. With this method, you will get a nicer, more even browning if you use chicken thighs, but either can work!

How spicy is this recipe?

Not spicy, in my opinion! My two girls, 3 and 5, are not big spicy food girls AT ALL but they will devour this chicken. If you’re worried about it, use half of a chipotle pepper! (Or, on the other side, if you want more heat, go for 2-3 chipotle peppers!)

Three Recipes I Love With These Chicken Skewers

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