We know what mornings can be like, and that’s why we always like to be prepared. This is one brekkie that only requires 10 minutes of hands-on time and can be prepped in advance so that you can enjoy a bowl of grab and go gourmet oats the next day.

SERVES 3-4 // COOKING TIME 30 mins

INGREDIENTS
2½ cups water or milk, or a combination
¾ cup steel-cut oats
2 tbsp oat bran
1 tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla essence
Pinch cinnamon
Pinch salt
Gourmet upgrade (see below), if using

METHOD
1. The night before, mix all the ingredients in a pot.
2. Bring to the boil and simmer with the lid slightly ajar, stirring frequently, for 20–30 minutes, until your desired consistency. Alternatively, place in a deep container with a lid and cook in the microwave on high for 6 minutes.
3. In the morning, reheat for 1–2 minutes before serving.

UPGRADE YOUR OATS

Pear, pecan & cinnamon: Add 2 finely cubed dried pears and a generous pinch of cinnamon to basic oats recipe and cook. Serve with milk, chopped pecans and honey.

Peaches & cream: Add 2 chopped dried peaches and almond milk, instead of cow’s milk, to basic oats recipe and cook. Serve with cream, honey and slivered almonds.

Banana, coconut & chocolate: Add 1 mashed ripe banana and 1 tbsp desiccated coconut to basic oats recipe and cook. Serve with milk, chocolate flakes and honey.

The post Oats in a jiffy, plus 3 gourmet oats upgrades appeared first on MyKitchen.

Do you need to whip up a last minute dessert? As always, we have a suggestion! Try our peaches and apricots for something effortlessly yummy and oh-so-quick to make.

SERVES 4 // COOKING TIME 20 min

INGREDIENTS
4 large ripe peaches, halved and pits removed
4 apricots, halved and pits removed
¼ cup honey
250g mascarpone, to serve

METHOD
1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
2. Heat a griddle pan until hot, then brush lightly with oil. Place the peaches and apricots cut-side down on to the pan and cook for 2–3 minutes or until lightly charred.
3. Place the fruit in a roasting dish and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of honey. Place in the oven for 10–15 minutes or until cooked through.
4. Serve with a dollop of mascarpone and drizzled with the rest of the honey.

The post Peaches and apricots with mascarpone and honey appeared first on MyKitchen.