Tag: Alton Brown

Breakfast/Brunch

Flashback Friday – Alton Brown’s Overnight Oatmeal

by Wendi6 Comments on Flashback Friday – Alton Brown’s Overnight Oatmeal

Flashback Friday

The following originally appeared on 2/16/09 at Exit 51.

Alton Brown’s Overnight Oatmeal

My introduction to the Food Network came courtesy of Alton Brown and Good Eats.  In thirty minutes, he not only presents multiple recipes, but he explains the “why” of it all.  I guess I’m not the only person who wants to understand the how and why of the kitchen.  Did I mention he makes it entertaining?  Props and skits illustrate concepts or give brief history lessons.  At the end of a show, I feel like I’ve really learned something and I get new recipes too.  Five years of college and all I can show you is  an unframed degree and student loan payment coupons….I definitely think I’m getting a better value from Mr. Brown.

ff_102_brown1_f1

Since those early days with AB, I’ve branched out to other FN personalities, but Alton remains a favorite.  One recipe that I go back to over and over is his Overnight Oatmeal.  I’ve made this so many times, and it’s so simple, that I no longer pull out the recipe.  With only a few minutes of active prep and a crock pot set to low, I can have a week’s worth of breakfast at the ready. For a non-morning person such as myself, this is gold.

In a different life, maybe I would have the time, or inclination, or personal chef to make a full on breakfast each and every day.  But as it is, I’m lucky to get out of the house dressed and fed each morning.  So anything that saves me time is welcome.  And unlike packaged cereals, I know EXACTLY what is in the food.  No trans fat this, or high fructose corn syrup that.  No guessing needed.

Really, what’s not to love about this recipe?  It’s quick.  It’s easy.  It’s open to countless interpretations.  It may not be the most glamorous dish to hit your table, but not every meal has to look like it came from the five star kitchen of the celebrity chef du jour.

AB’s recipe is below.  I use whatever dried fruit I happen to have on hand – dried apples or dried peaches work very well.  You use what you like.  I also add about one half cup of unsweetened applesauce to the crock pot to give a little more moisture. If you have a cinnamon stick, throw it in crock pot.  Just be sure to remove it before serving.  Serve with a bit of brown sugar, preserves,  jam, or syrup for a hint of sweetness.  Leftovers keep in the fridge for about a week.  To reheat, thin with a bit of milk, stir to combine, and microwave for about 90 seconds.

AB's Overnight Oatmeal

Alton Brown’s Overnight Oatmeal

  • 1 cup steel cut oats (not quick cooking)
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup dried figs
  • 4 cups water
  • 1/2 cup milk or half-and-half

In a slow cooker, combine all ingredients and set to low heat. Cover and let cook for 8 to 9 hours.

Stir and remove to serving bowls. This method works best if started before you go to bed. This way your oatmeal will be finished by morning.

Side Dishes, Vegetables

Alton Brown’s Ginger Glazed Carrots

by Wendi6 Comments on Alton Brown’s Ginger Glazed Carrots
image from http://www.istockphoto.com

While I’m away on my imaginary vacation, I’m leaving the pantry stocked with posts from Exit 51 that would have been part of the Flashback Friday series. The following originally appeared on 7/8/09 at Exit 51.

Alton Brown’s Ginger Glazed Carrots

It should come as no surprise that I plan out meals in advance.  When I do my planning, I try use a Garanimals approach.  Remember Garanimals?  The line of children’s clothing, originally from the 70’s, designed to let kids put together coordinated outfits.  From their website:

“The kid-friendly Garanimals mix-and-match separates provide a simple, coordinated system that makes clothes easy to pair and fun to wear. The Garanimals pairing system brings creativity and independence to young children as they select their own clothes and dress themselves. Through these small, successful decisions, children develop early feelings of self-confidence.”

That is so what cooking should be.  Easy, fun, and confidence building.  Which is why I totally think of recipes as separates, that when combined, make a coordinated outfit on the plate. Continue reading “Alton Brown’s Ginger Glazed Carrots” →

Drinks, Sweets

Hot Stuff

by WendiLeave a Comment on Hot Stuff
image from http://www.istockphoto.com

Is it weird to talk about hot cocoa in April?  Is hot chocolatey goodness governed by the seasons, only be to enjoyed in the cold days of winter?  What about a wet spring morning?  Or a late summer night under a starry sky?  Or a crisp fall afternoon?  Do marshmallows melting into a pool of rich cocoa tell the difference between daylight savings time and standard time?  I say it’s time to stop the discrimination; time to stop treating hot cocoa as a seasonal beverage.  With only four ingredients, most of which you may already have, you can enjoy a cup of hot cocoa anytime you like.  And if you really can’t bring yourself to even think about drinking a hot beverage in the dog days of summer, put a few ice cubes in a blender and whip yourself up an icy cocoa treat.

Hot Cocoa

Alton Brown

BAH Note:  The mix can be stored indefinitely in an airtight container according to Mr. Brown.  I found that the mix doesn’t dissolve completely in hot liquid.  So I tried sifting it through a fine mesh strainer with only marginally better results.  However, when I took my tiny pestle to the mix in a plastic container and gave it a good mashing, I was quite happy with my cup of hot chocolate.  I also prefer to add a bit of half and half, but that’s just me.

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup cocoa, preferably Dutch processed
  • 2 1/2 cups powdered milk
  • 2 teaspoons corn starch
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, cinnamon, or five spice powder

Whisk all the ingredients together in a medium bowl.  Fill a mug half full with the cocoa mixture.  Add heated water and stir to combine.

{printable recipe}