Love Notes to Oats

May 24, 2021

Oats are no joke. No longer mere breakfast fodder, they’re the biggest thing since soy, almond, and cashew combined. Where other alternative milk once struggled to gain a foothold, oat milk strides confidently forward, breaking down the doors that previously separated plant-based options from the mainstream menu. It’s not just the cream in your coffee, or milk in your cereal, either; everyday it seems, this old dog is learning new tricks.

Excelling at each culinary test, sweet or savory, you’re liable to find oats in your ice cream, oats in your butter, and even oats in your tacos. Each innovative application is bolder than the last and exponentially more successful. The only thing surprising about the meteoric rise of oats is that it took so long in the first place.

Rich and creamy once blended, it satisfies without the need for expensive, potentially allergenic nuts, fatty oils, or added thickeners. Neutral in taste, it’s the silent partner to any featured flavors, no matter how subtle. From a sustainability standpoint, few crops can beat it for efficiency and yields, even for a bad harvest. It’s not wonder the world has fallen in love with this humble grain.

What does surprise me are the random holes in the market where oats haven’t yet sprouted. While the dairy cases are practically lined with oat straw and husks, the aisle of dressings is utterly barren by contrast. Conventional blends of mayonnaise and mysterious emulsifiers still reign supreme, seemingly untouched by the shift towards plant-based improvements. For me, it’s just one of many reasons to leave the bottles on the shelf and whip up your own dressings at home.

Green Goddess dressing is one of my favorite toppings for an equally verdant bowlful of vegetables. Bright, zesty, bold, and herbaceous, it simply tastes bracingly, invigoratingly fresh. Perfect for spring and summer, especially as tender herbs proliferate. Usually I start with avocado as the base, but now that I’ve found oats, I’m happy to dice those buttery fruits as rich, chunky toppers instead.

The list of healthy hashtags for this one could fill a novel; vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, soy-free, fat-free, corn-free, and so on, and so forth. In spite of all that it excludes, it doesn’t lack a single thing when it comes to taste or texture. Naturally thick and creamy yet incredibly light on the palate, it’s the best of all words, without making any compromises.

I, for one, welcome our new oat overlords. Even if they are bent on world domination, we may just be better off under that kind of innovative, adaptive, all-inclusive leadership.

Yield: Makes About 1 1/2 Cups (12 Servings)

Oat Milk Green Goddess Dressing

Oat Milk Green Goddess Dressing

Lusciously creamy, vibrantly zesty and herbaceous, this unbelievably simple dressing owes all its richness to the power of oats. No oil necessary to bring together this bold and brilliant blend!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2/3 Cup Quick Oats
  • 1/2 Ounce Fresh Parsley, Roughly Chopped
  • 1/2 Ounce Fresh Chives, Roughly Chopped
  • 1/2 Ounce Fresh Dill, Roughly Chopped
  • 3/4 Cup Water
  • 1/4 Cup Lemon Juice (From About 1 Medium Lemon)
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper

Instructions

  1. Pull out your blender and place the oats and fresh herbs in the canister. Pulse briefly to begin breaking them down. With the motor running, slowly stream in the water and lemon juice, continuing to puree on high speed until completely smooth and creamy. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, blending once more to incorporate.
  2. Serve right away or save in an airtight glass container in the fridge for up to a week. Since the oats tend to absorb liquid as they sit, you may need to add more water to adjust the consistency.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 17Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 102mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 1g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.

© Hannah Kaminsky
Cuisine: American / Category: Dips, Dressings, Sauces, Spreads, and Condiments

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