Pure Mornings

Overnight oats, mean purely wonderful mornings here in The Supper Model household. I can say with total sincerity that we are NOT a morning team; when it comes to me and my corgis, Lady Bird and Dutch, the prospect of breakfast is really the only thing that moves us out from under our mountain of pillows (and Birdie from her cave underneath the bed) into the early light of day.

So when a few months ago I discovered Purely Elizabeth, a new healthy food brand that makes exceptional Organic-Gluten-Free-Vegan oatmeals, granolas, and hot cereals I knew that our summer mornings were going to be less of a sloth-like struggle.

What is so different about the Purely Elizabeth oat line that it could change a family routine? It all comes down to the simple process of “overnighting” oats. As you can see we like to take our time in the mornings: the am is really my only time to catch up on blogs, news, or a book I’m loving, and enjoy a walk and game of fetch with my dogs before getting into the emails, social media, shoots, production meetings, writing, editing, and what have you that make up my hectic day. So the early hours of each day are extremely sacred, and therefore kept strategically simple and sweet.

My morning table set is clean and minimal, set with an alkaline lemon water and a bright pastel placemat. I’ll have my green smoothie or green juice, and then it’s time to settle into freshening up my sprouted and soaked oats. Overnighting Oats is simply soaking, in the case with Purely Elizabeth, a mix of dry amaranth, flax, quinoa, chia, and other ancient grains and seeds in liquid. The mixture will sit soaking and sprouting, covered in the fridge over night, and is perfectly ready for you to enjoy the moment you wake up.

This  process of soaking and sprouting is essential to maximizing the nutritious benefits of the Purely Elizabeth super-grain combos. The grains become fully digestible for us, without the use of heat, and therefore you end up eating the most beneficial and nutritious version of a delicious oatmeal.

When it comes to the right soaking liquid, my go-to combo is 1 part almond milk, 1 part coconut water. I’ve tried all the nut and coconut milks and in various combinations, and I assure you that this works best to compliment the ancient grain flavors. My toppings are always seasonal: right now I’ve been addicted to the fresh sweet strawberries that I simply glaze with a little maple-balsamic vinegar before adding it to the overnight oats. Top with a few slices of fresh tart apple, which are just now coming into season, and it makes the perfect end of summer, first feelings of fall transition dish.

But of course the possibilities are truly endless, I am diving into a huge selection of stone fruits this week, so I am sure peaches, plums, and nectarines will make there way into my morning mouthful, and close out my day in a crumble with some Purely Elizabeth sinfully good granola. And as the winds change and weather turns, our first cool morning will undoubtedly get me experimenting with the hot cereals and 2 minute oatmeal varieties Purely Elizabeth has to offer.

Maple-Balsamic Strawberries & Overnight Oats
Serves One, GF, DF, V

Ingredients
1/3 cup Purely Elizabeth Apple Cinnamon Pecan Ancient Grains
1/4 cup unsweetened Almond Milk
1/4 cup pure coconut water

Maple-Balsamic Strawberries:
3 fresh strawberries, sliced
1 tablespoon Grade A Pure Maple Syrup
1/2 tsp Balsamic vinegar

Toppings:
3-4 slices tart green apple, try organic granny smiths
1 pecan, crumbled
an extra pinch of ground cinnamon

Method
1. Before turning in for the night, take a small bowl or mason jar and add the ancient grains, almond milk and coconut water, stir gently and cover. Leave in the fridge over night.
2. In the morning, bring out the overnight oats, stir gently and leave out to come to room temp while you prepare the toppings.
3. Combine the maple syrup and balsamic vinegar in small bowl and add the sliced strawberries coating them very gently. You can add a pinch of cinnamon and a crumbled pecan to this mix if you like.
4. To serve, pour the oats into your favorite morning cereal bowl, top with the sliced apple and then gently pour the maple-balsamic strawberries over the top, making sure to pour all the wonderful syrup over the oats and fruit.