Backstory:

So I was talking to my brother about making food during the quarantine and I was telling him how I make my overnight oats. And I realised that my current recipe was too ~complicated~ for someone who only knows how to make Maggi. It’s not a bad thing to not know how to do something, and you can always learn how to with some *very* clear instructions. I love this recipe because you don’t need to *cook* anything and keeps you nicely full for a long time. So here’s a revised version, with very specific instructions after receiving inputs from my brother, meant specially for all those out there who say “hehe the only thing I know to cook is how to boil water”. This one’s for you, my friend.

What you need to buy:

It’s a very cost effective evening snack that will help you avoid snacking on chips etc during your home quarantine. Here’s what you’ll need to add to your shopping list, and it will last you for a good 2 weeks making about 14 servings of overnight oats:

Ingredients : (serves 1)

• 5 tbsp oats (regular Quaker oats will do)
• 7 almonds
• 1 tsp chia seeds (optional)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
• 10 tbsp milk
• 1 fruit of your choice (1 banana/mango/3 strawberries)

How to:

1. Get a glass jar. A plastic box will also do, it’s just that it looks really nice in a glass jar.
2. Add your oats first
3. Add almonds, chia seeds, vanilla essence and mix it up
4. Now add milk. This is an important step. Make sure when you add your milk that there’s enough of it so that it sort of covers the oats. That’s about the right level. If it’s too less then your oats will be soooo dry and yuck (trust me, been there done that)
5. Mix it up well and refridgerate for 8 hours (overnight). 8 hours is essential because the oats needs enough time to absorb the milk and sort of get *cooked*. If you take it out early, your oats will have the raw flavour, which is kind of like wet cardboard
6. When you take your oats out the next morning, make sure you add fruits before eating
7. Top it with ANY chopped fruit you like – strawberries, mangoes, bananas – anything you like. I would suggest avoiding watery fruits like watermelon because the wateriness would interfere with the creaminess of the oats.

Health benefits of each ingredient:

1. Oats – They are rich in antioxidants, helps lower cholesterol, controls blood sugar level and leaves you feeling fuller for longer which is a great way to control your diet. In addition, this technique of soaking the oats overnight vs cooking them is that soaking them helps retain their protein and fibre better
2. Almonds: Contains vitamins, proteins, minerals and healthy fats that keep your skin supple (woohoo). Also it add a niiiice crunch to your oats so it’s not like a gooey mouthful
3. Chia seeds: Excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, fiber, iron, and calcium
4. Vanilla essence: amazing taste bb
5. Milk: OFC calcium, but a great way to soak your oats. I tried this with water and it was waaaay less creamier (and more like wet cardboard)