YumSugar

Come Party With Me: Tailgate - Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:30:49 -0700

No Cal-USC tailgate is complete without a sweet treat and I like to serve cookies. Specifically, classic oatmeal raisin cookies - they're chewy, not too sweet, and scream Fall.

Cookies are also perfectly portable and can be made in advance, meaning they're ideal for a tailgate. Because the finished dough needs time to chill in the fridge before being baked, this recipe must be prepared several days before the game.

To make these cookies for your friends and family, get the recipe and keep reading.

Burning Question: Are Traditional & Instant Oatmeal the Same?

YumSugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:00:55 -0700

My guy and I are both big fans of oatmeal for breakfast, and on a recent morning, the two of us got into a discussion about the differences between old-fashioned oatmeal, quick-cooking oats, instant oatmeal, and steel-cut oatmeal - all of which are in our pantry. What makes each one distinctive? And do they all have the same nutritional value?

All types of oatmeal are made from groats, or ground oats that have been hulled, or dehusked. Traditional, old-fashioned oatmeal - the kind most commonly seen in cereal, granola, and muesli - is made from groats that have been steamed, rolled flat, and then flaked. Quick-cooking rolled oats, sometimes called "quick oats," are cut into small pieces before being steamed and rolled. Irish oatmeal is my personal favorite; also known as steel-cut oatmeal, it is made up of groats that have been chopped into small pieces instead of flattened. It has a chewier texture and takes longer to cook. Instant oatmeal is generally precooked and then dried.

The nutritional profile across all varieties of oatmeal is the same - although certain types are often portrayed as nutritionally inferior. Instant oatmeal, for example, is still a whole grain, but it has a higher glycemic index and is more likely to contain sweeteners or sodium.

Got a burning question? Contact us.

Source: Flickr User Muffet

Taste Test: Jamba Juice Oatmeal

YumSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:30:38 -0700

Because I had a coupon to try Jamba Juice's new oatmeal for a buck, and because Monday in San Francisco started with a serious chill, I decided to mix up my usual cold cereal routine and try this warm treat for a change.

Jamba has been advertising this organic oatmeal generously in its storefronts, and the photos of creamy oats topped with fruit enticed me. You can choose from apple-cinnamon, blueberry-blackberry, or banana, all enhanced with "brown sugar crumble."

As you can tell, the genuine article (at right) didn't exactly match Jamba Juice's description or the photos. To see what it's supposed to look like, and to hear what I thought, read more.

Below, is how the oatmeal is pictured online: a nice little cup of oatmeal, topped with a dollop of seemingly fresh fruit and sprinkled with crumbly brown sugar. But rather than a crumble, I got what looked like brown sugar served with a melon baller - and way too much of it.

The fruit, which I mistakenly assumed would be fresh, was actually a jam-like fruit compote better suited to a cobbler. It was somewhat gelatinous and also quite sugary; now I understand why this oatmeal is 280 to 290 calories, something that perplexed me at first. Though the banana version uses fresh fruit, the apple-cinnamon topping is also a premade "compote."

Too bad, because the oatmeal itself was good: nutty and chewable and rich in earthy flavor. But it was hard to taste with the mixed berry goo invading from the top. I'd much rather have the oatmeal on its own, or topped with real fruit. It was definitely better than instant oatmeal, and the hearty portion kept me full, but I don't know that it was worth $3. Good thing I only paid a buck.

Taste Test: New Starbucks Items

YumSugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 05:30:28 -0700

In an attempt to boost sales during tough economic times, coffee giant Starbucks has just unveiled a line of smoothies, rolled out a healthy morning menu, expanded its breakfast sandwich assortment, and revealed a new collection of gourmet hot chocolates. Since we've been deluged with a new range of options, we decided to put the food to the test. To see how Starbucks fared, click start.

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Would You Rather Eat Oatmeal or Granola?

partysugar — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 01:30:46 -0700

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15 Oatmeal Cookies Untainted By Raisins

YumSugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:00:21 -0700

I absolutely adore oatmeal cookies - as long as those pesky raisins stay the heck out of them. Strangely enough, it's really difficult to find oatmeal cookies without them. So, I've done us a favor and rounded up 15 raisin-less oatmeal cookies recipes. From lemon oatmeal to oatmeal animal crackers, there's something for everyone. Oh and if you're wondering why I've got oatmeal cookies on the brain, today April 30, is actually National Oatmeal Cookie Day. So what are you waiting for? Find a recipe to celebrate with, just click the "Start" button!

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Do You Like Oatmeal?

partysugar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:31:51 -0700

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Wake Up and Smell the Oatmeal!

YumSugar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:13:31 -0800

There are some pretty fun alarm clocks out there, but this weekend the internet was abuzz over a different kind of alarm clock. According to Scotland's Daily Record, Quaker Oats is testing a bedside alarm in the UK. Now you'll be able to wake up to a warm bowl of porridge or oatmeal each and every morning.

The device, which is called The Porridgemaid, contains a thermos to keep the milk cold overnight. However, once the alarm goes off, the thermos is heated up and in three minutes you've got yourself a bowl of breakfast. In our ever increasingly fast-paced lifestyles, I suppose every minute counts. However, I could see myself reaching for the snooze button and putting my hand right into a bowl of porridge. It also reminds me of the episode of The Office where Michael cooks his foot, and we all know that that was a completely bad idea. What do you think!?

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Yummy Link: Banana Oatmeal Waffles

YumSugar — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 03:01:33 -0800

A fixed oven means these delectable banana oatmeal waffles will stay warm while you finish cooking up the batch. Personally, I don't think I'd have to use the oven. The batch would be devoured before the plate hit the table! - Jumbo Empanadas

Comforting Classic: Oatmeal Cookies

partysugar — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 01:37:33 -0700

Oatmeal cookies may be old-fashioned, but their homey goodness will never grow old. Many grandmothers pass the recipes down from generation to generation, and they are fabulous chewy, crisp, fresh from the oven or a few days old. The best accompaniment to an oatmeal cookie - besides a bear hug from grandma - is a large glass of cold milk. To make these for your loved ones today, read more

Oatmeal Cookies
From Simply Recipes
Image Source

1 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs well beaten
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
3 cups oats (we use Quaker Quick or Old Fashioned. Do NOT use instant.)
3/4 cup chopped walnuts (use 1/2 cup if using raisins)
1 cup raisins (optional)

Cream shortening and sugars, add eggs and vanilla and beat well.
Sift flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon. Add to first mixture and mix well. Add raisins and nuts. Add oats last.
Spoon out by rounded tablespoonfuls on to greased cookie sheets.
Bake at 350°F. Bake for 10 minutes.
Remove to wire rack. Cool completely.

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