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Spiced Winter Oats with Fruits & Nuts

Spiced Winter Oats with Fruits & Nuts | Bijouxs Little Jewels

During the dark days of Winter, which seem to be dragging on endlessly, comes a bowl of Spiced Winter Oats with Fruits & Nuts – the newest Little Jewel Recipe added to the Collection Membership.

WINTER SPICE MIX

I have been circling around the house avoiding the foggy days here on the Central Coast. My comforts included the bowl of Spiced Winter Oats with Fruits & Nuts, enjoyed anytime of day. Begin by make the Warming Winter Spice mix. You will use this for more than these oats, sprinkle on buttered toast, or add to your yogurt bowls. The Spice Mix is inspired from one I purchased long ago in San Francisco from March SF. The store is lovely, do check it out. I set out to recreate this spice and I think I got very close. A blend of cinnamon, allspice, anise and black pepper combine for peppery-warm mix.
Spiced Winter Oats with Fruits & Nuts | Bijouxs Little Jewels

 

STEEL CUT OATS

I decided on Steel Cut Oats which are simmered with a touch of tahini and the spice blend. These two ingredients are what make this oatmeal special.  Water is added and the oats are cook to the desired level of creaminess. The oats are spooned into bowls, adding dried fruit such as raisins, and sweet papaya (my personal favorite, feel free to used dried) along with nuts such as pistachios and hazelnuts.
Spiced Winter Oats with Fruits & Nuts | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Spiced Winter Oats with Fruits & Nuts | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Spiced Winter Oats with Fruits & Nuts | Bijouxs Little Jewels

 

WARMING BOWL OF OATS

To finish top add a few spoonfuls of warm vanilla almond ‘malk’ and a drizzle of Maple syrup.  The recipe is adaptable, use your favorite nuts and dried fruits. Savor Spiced Winter Oats with Fruits & Nuts, a new winter little Jewel from Bijouxs Little Jewels from the Kitchen.

 

No. 456Recipe Card Posted on Leave a comment

Roasted Strawberries Parfait

Roasted Strawberries Parfait | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Strawberry season is here! I now live in strawberry fields along on the California Coast, which means I receive many baskets of berries dropped off by friends.  Here is a great way to preserve the ripe fruit and provide a lovely fruit compote that tops just about any dessert. Roasted Strawberries Parfait is a jewel of a recipe.

ROASTING FRUIT

Roasting makes almost anything taste better, and believe it or not, even fruit is becomes more  joyful when roasted. I have shared recipes featuring roasted pineapple, apples, grapes and of course strawberries. This simple yogurt parfait is layered with spiced roasted berries, vanilla yogurt and a crunchy layer of granola.

Roasted Strawberries Parfait | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Roasted Strawberries Parfait | Bijouxs Little Jewels

 

OTTOLENGHI RESATURANT AND RECIPES

I adapted a roasted fruit recipe from Ottolenghi Simple to create the parfait. I have collected everyone of their cookbooks. I even have their very first cookbook, printed in England with recipes in metrics. The store and restaurant really embraces my mantra “beautiful food by design.” My parfait is an anytime treat as serves as breakfast, a snack or dessert. This makes it a little jewel recipe. 

Roasted Strawberries Parfait | Bijouxs Little Jewels

SUMAC SPICE ROAD

Exploring new spices is a great way to ramp up your cooking game. Sumac is a spice that you may not know about, but it is a little jewel. Once again, Ottolenghi introduces us to this Middle Eastern spice. Sumac are red berries that grow in areas of the Mediterranean which are dried and ground into a powder. It features a sweet and sour taste, quite vibrant with undertones of lemon.

BIJOUXS LITTLE JEWELS FROM THE KITCHEN

Wow! Soon celebrating 10 years of Bijouxs! I began the blog in the “golden age of food blogs”, with a great group of LA food bloggers.  That is when it easy easy to have loyal followers with lots of comments on the recipes, but now food is a VERY crowded space. ALMOST every website has a “recipe” section. For those of us who worked as chefs, the food world has really changed. Please don’t forget to sign up for my recipe newsletter – just the recipes please:) Thank you for your support.

 

No. 438Recipe Card Posted on Leave a comment

Overnight Oats with Turmeric & Chia

Overnight Oats with Turmeric & Chia |Bijouxs Little Jewels

Overnight oats, yes, I am patient for breakfast. I have multiple favorite overnight oat recipes here on the blog, but there is always room for one more. This recipe is inspired from the wonderful Cafe Gratitude. Yes, you can take the girl out of LA but not LA out of the girl-a little jewel recipe from my home town.

OVERNIGHT OATS

So grateful that Cafe Gratitude has a cookbook and shares the wonderful recipes for us no longer living in LA. Whenever I visit home I always check in at plant-based eateries, there is always something new to try and learn, innovative cuisine. Cafe Gratitude delivers.

Cooking from the books these days, simple confinement cooking. This recipe “I am Patient” is an overnight oat recipe with modern flavor profile. Turmeric, ginger and chia seeds add the the bowl’s colorful mix. We are all eating more turmeric and ginger for health, but the almond-date milk you soak the oats in is the key. Blended with dates, the almond milk becomes slightly sweet and rich.

Overnight Oats with Turmeric & Chia | Bijouxs Little Jewels

The recipe is flexible, use spices or add nuts as you like. Adjust the consistency of the oats to suit your preference by adding a bit more almond milk before serving. Of course, espresso is called for.

A time to be grateful. Be well.