Nutty oatmeal, gooey goodness

Ingredients

60g steel cut oats (German “Haferflocken”)

1 tbsp. maple syrup

1 tbsp.whole milk

1 tsp. ground peanut spread or peanut butter

water

Macronutrients

~375 kcal

13g Protein

51g Carbs

12g Fat

Instructions

1. Fill the oats in a microwavable dish and cover with water until they are completely covered / floating.

2. Cover, and microwave at 700 watts for 90 seconds.

3. Take out (be careful, the bowl will be hot), and mix the maple syrup, milk and peanut spread in.

4. Enjoy.

I have heard mixed reviews about peanut butter and its benefits to your health and diet. Most people looking to lose weight stay away from it because if its high fat content. Others champion it for its protein contribution to your diet. Because I like it so much, I make myself believe the latter school of thought. I eat it right from the jar sometimes. I add a scoop of it in my protein shakes as well. It makes them deliciously creamy.

The fat content for natural peanut butter is usually 10%- 12% of the saturated kind. Saturated fat has not had a good reputation. But like anything else, you’re supposed to have it in moderation. Some articles I found online including the one below state that saturated fat has many benefits. I am conflicted but I can’t help but lean towards the studies that support eating food with high levels of saturated fat like peanut butter.

I know that I eat way too much peanut butter. I feel a lot better as well as look a lot leaner without it. I have not learned how to coexist with it in my condo cupboards on a condiment only basis. I have tried to substitute it with almond butter which is supposed to be better, but it’s not that same.

7 Reasons to Eat More Saturated Fat

PB2

Update: The taste was difficult to get used to so I stopped using it. It was too salty and artificial tasting. I did find it useful to use its powder form for mixing in my oatmeal.
———————————————
PB2 by Bell Plantation:

As a Vegetarian and peanut butter lover, I was very happy to find out about enjoying my protein source without all the fat. I went online to find reviews on how it might taste compared to regular natural peanut butter.

I was worried about ordering online when I found out that it was not an item carried in most health food stores. On many of the reviews, people were complaining about the delivery cost from Bell Plantation.com. I was able to find a local supplier and was impressed with the delivery time. It arrived the very next day. I paid $6.99 for delivery from a Markham based Health food supplier. If you live near Wilson street in Toronto, you are in luck. You can pick up a jar at a local health food store. ;

The Taste Test: At first I did not like the taste. However, I am getting used to the salty after taste. With 85% less fat, I taste the difference. It comes in a powder. The directions call for 2 tbsp per 1 tbsp of water, and then mix them together well. The texture is much lighter than regular peanut butter.

I am undecided if I will reorder. Is it worth it for the hassle and delivery cost? It might be worth it if you tend to stock up on health food items online anyway. I will update this post in a couple of days to see how I manage with this new type of peanut butter paired with different types of food.

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           MAY 25 , 2012           02.25 A.M.

Last week I came across an innocuous news item in the Mumbai edition of Times Of India that our snack – cum – food a.k.a. Sandwich completed 250 years of its existence .I never knew that Sandwich was nowhere in the scene before 1762 .

I never knew that Sandwich is the name of a town , a small and non – decrepit port town , in the Dover district and Kent County of United Kingdom .

I never knew that John Montagu , 4th Earl of Sandwich [ 1718 - 1792 ] , a British statesman , was the inventor of this world-famous food item . And that , he invented this snack – cum – food item inadvertently . He , apart from being inventor of Sandwich , was Postmaster General , First Lord of Admiralty and Secretary of State for the Northern Department .

John Montagu – 4th Earl of Sandwich

4th Earl of Sandwich was considered a daring man because in those conservative times , he ate with his fingers . As story goes , in May 1762 , while playing the game of cards , he ordered his valet to serve him beef tucked between two slices of bread so that he could eat while playing cards . Later on his friends also asked ” to have the same as Sandwich “ . And thus slowly , Sandwich came into being .

In the beginning it was a non – veg food item . But slowly other forms of Sandwich also came into being . Veg Sandwich is another popular form .

Veg Sandwich

Soon grilled Sandwich made its entry in the scene . Later on it was improvised further and grilled Cheese Sandwich came into being . Club Sandwich is the another variant , which is very popular .

Grilled Sandwich

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Club Sandwich

As its popularity grew , it reached various other countries . Apart from Cuban and Turkish variants , Chicken Shwarma of Lebanon is the most popular , world – famous and known variant of the original Sandwich . Tuna Fish Sandwich is another hugely popular improvised version , which is savoured by rich and famous .

Cuban Sandwich

Tuna Fish Salad Sandwich

Turkey Sandwich

Shwarma Sandwich of Lebanon

Popularity of Sandwich as a convenient food item never diminished . In the modern era , multi – national food giants also jumped in the fray . American fast – food giant McDonald’s was the first to capitalize on the popularity of Sandwich and came with the Hamburger and Burger variants , which took the world by storm . Started in May 15 , 1940 , this fast – food American giant has now more than 33,000 outlets world – wide .

Logo of McDonald’s

Hamburger

Burger

Subway is another multi – national food – chain , which made a late entry and soon spread its tentacles world – wide . Unlike McDonald’s , it is dedicated to Sandwiches only . Stablished in August 28 , 1965 , it has now more than 36,833 outlets in 100 countries .

Logo of Subway

Subway Sandwiches

Subway Sandwich

Club Sandwich With Fries

In modern times , as popularity of Sandwiches grew further , there were several inventions like electric toasters to facilitate its making more easier , fast and convenient .

Sandwich Toaster

Later on ketchup and various kinds of Mayonnaise also came and people started using them as toppings and fillings with Sandwiches . Among ketchup , Heinz is the most famous and renowned ketchup company . It is followed by Maggi and our own Indian Kissan brands . Smith & Jones is another lesser known brand of ketchup available in India .

Mayonnaise

Heinz Tomato Ketchup

Maggi Tomato Ketchup

Kissan Tomato Ketchup

Smith & Jones Samosa Chutney

Indian palate is very familiar with mustard . We use it in pickles and other food items . So in India , a peculiar version of Sandwich emerged . Sweet Mustard ketchup and its Bengali cousin Kasundi emerged as extra fillings for Sandwiches with cucumber , tomato and onion  .

Sweet Mustard Ketchup

Kasundi of Bengal

Though use of various Jam , Jelly and marmalade with bread pieces can’t be called Sandwich in true sense of the term , but for sweet – loving Indians , it was a popular option and it has now become a ubiquitious food item of our homes for morning and evening snacks . Our own desi Kissan is present here also and Kissan Jam is one of the highest selling product  .

Kissan Jam

Hawaiian Sun Jelly

Savaille Orange Marmalade

Hazelnut Spread , Peanut Spread , Cheese Spread and several other spreads are also available to sweeten our morning breakfast . You can’t call them Sandwiches but their popularity in India would have amazed Earl of Sandwich .

Hazelnut Filling

In these 250 years of its existence , Sandwich has taken many avatars . I would love to provide another version of Sandwich , which is popular in my house . I can call it Bhojpuri version or variant of Sandwich . Take two pieces of bread and roast it properly . Put lavish spread of butter on the pieces .Then take two extra ripe bananas and cut then in round pieces . Now  put pieces of extra ripe banana as fillings between two pieces of bread . Sprinkle salt and black pepper on it . Your Bhojpuri variant of Sandwich is ready for a bite . If you wish you can grill it also . So Bhojpuri Banana Sandwich and Bhojpuri Banana Grilled Sandwich are now available . Do try them .

I am sure , after hearing about this Bhojpuri Variant of Sandwich , John Montagu , the 4th Earl of Sandwich must be turning in his grave .

John Montagu – 4th Earl of Sandwich – Originator of Sandwich

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.vidurfilms.com

www.twitter.com/VidurChaturvedi

www.jaibhojpuri.com/profile/VidurChaturvedi

Related articles

• From ham to prawns, a sandwich tour of the country – and chicken’s our No1 (dailymail.co.uk)
• Anniversary of the Sandwich (02varvara.wordpress.com)
• NY Food Truck Lunch: Short Rib Grilled Cheese From Food Freaks (newyork.cbslocal.com)
• The Sandwich Is 250 Years Old Today! (weeklyworldnews.com)
• Homemade Poutine Grilled Cheese Sandwiches (blogher.com)
• Town hosts festival for sandwich (bbc.co.uk)
• Sandwich celebrates 250th birthday – UPI.com (exitlanguages.wordpress.com)
• 250th anniversary of the sandwich (boingboing.net)
• Twists on 5 Classic American Sandwiches (abcnews.go.com)
• The greatest culinary invention ever created. (mmm-mushrooms.com)
• Sandwich celebrates 250th birthday (upi.com)

So even though I’m in Kansas City, the What I Ate Wednesday posts will continue! If you are new to WIAW, head over to Peas and Crayons to find out what it’s all about, and see all the other bloggers who are participating!

Today’s WIAW features my food from yesterday! I woke up in the morning starving, but found I had little I could eat in the house… My mom had taken all “my” food out to Colorado for when I visited them during spring break, but didn’t bring it back. So I dug around and decided to risk it and eat some Quaker oats, even though they aren’t gluten free. I’ve heard they only bother people who are really allergic and since I’m just intolerant, I thought it would be fine. I made some plain oats and served them with strawberry chobani, and half a sliced banana! (and no… there wasn’t even peanut butter in the house…).

After breakfast was Jazzercise and then a couple grocery stores. By the time I was done I was so hungry so I hit up The Mixx on my way home and got a small salad to go. It had chicken, beets, artichoke hearts and roasted yams with a ginger pear dressing. I mixed it up in a bowl when I got home:

After lunch I lounged around a bit, sat outside, and helped my mom do some meal planning. I sat outside on our patio trying to call some people, but no one answered! I had a warm cup of coffee too, which I was craving since I didn’t have any that morning! Haha the day just doesn’t feel complete without a cup!

After a while I got a little hungry so I made a snack of greek yogurt with blueberries. First I microwaved the blueberries and added a packet of stevia:

Then I added the greek yogurt:

I also added in a small scoop of peanut spread… That’s right, peanut “spread.” And the weirdest part? It claims to have zero calories. Weird, right? I thought so. I’d seen it before in the grocery store and I’ve always been very skeptical. But my curiosity got the best of me.

Not really sure about this… It didn’t taste too bad, but the ingredients list confuses me, and I’m not a fan of eating things when I don’t know what they are. Definitely won’t buy it again, but I had to give it a try. They also sold jellies, jams, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce and marshmallow fluff. Still weirded out by it…

I also had bought some of the new Gluten Free Rice Krispies, so I had a mini bowl of those with blueberries and Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips (free of the 8 main allergens!). I couldn’t resist – I haven’t bought cereal in a while and it was calling my name!

I helped my mom unload some groceries, chatted with her a bit, and then headed off to Target. The Target I usually go to was re-done over this past semester, so I HAD to check it out. They had a whole new grocery section, with produce, meat, literally everything you could need! I was really quite impressed with it all, they even sold Almond Milk and Chobani yogurt!

I got home and it was an hour or so until dinner time and I WAS HUNGRY. Haha, this is one of the few things I dislike about being at home: I can’t eat dinner whenever I want to, I have to wait until “dinner time.” Since I knew I’d just get angrier and angrier as the time went on I grabbed a cup of grapes and a few rice crackers to hold me over (I also had a few more grapes… couldn’t quit picking at them!

For dinner my mom had made pork tenderloin and veggies (yellow squash, red potato, onions and orange bell pepper) and some fruit on the side. I had already eaten too much fruit so I wasn’t in the mood and just kind of picked at mine. The meat and veggies were delicious though! See? I can’t complain about dinner time when someone else is making me dinner! Here’s part way through dinner, I completely forgot… Ok. I lied. This is partway through my mother’s dinner. I polished off my meat and veggies and then practically yelled: “I FORGOT TO TAKE A PICTURE!” Thank goodness my understanding mother offered up her plate.

A little after dinner I decided to make some popcorn! Haha yep, I’m bringing the brown-paper bag trick to KC! I had this, times two! And that’s some Chocolate PB2 on the side, haha love to dip a little popcorn in there for some sweet!

I also wanted to make popcorn so I could try these powders I found at Target:

I liked the white cheddar, but the kettle corn was disappointing… I didn’t really taste like kettle corn. Sad day. I had a bunch more grapes too! Haha addicting…

What do you all think about the peanut spread? Freaked out? I think I might toss it since I’ve tried it and thus quashed my curiosity.

Does anyone make you dinner? It’s a rare luxury for me!

Warning! Do not buy! Do not think about buying anymore! Don’t waste your money like me!

Now that I got that warning out of the way, let the review begin. I finally decided to try Walden Farms calorie free peanut spread and chocolate syrup. I should have just bought one to try instead of two because then I would have saved some money. They were both horrible! The peanut spread is first of all “whipped.” Not like you would think though. It was the consistancy of mayonaise and did not taste a thing like peanuts. I was very disappointed in it because I thought I could have it with celery and have a nice low calorie snack.

Walden Farms Calorie Free Peanut Spread

The chocolate syrup did taste like chocolate, but it also tasted like ketchup. It was a pretty weird combination of flavors. The consistancy of this one was at least correct, but they couldn’t get the flavor. It would trade back and forth between the two so I never knew which I would experience first.

Walden Farms Calorie Free Chocolate Syrup

What a let down! I now believe that the closest you can get is a sugar free version of each that uses Splenda or a similar sweetener if it is going to have a decent taste. At least with those for peanut butter you can get the protein. This is not a product for protein.

I should mention that there is no nutritional value in either of these products or any of their other products. They are just a bunch of chemicals so they are probably not good for you anyway. I was a little worried about eating such a thing anyway and now I don’t have to worry about it. I will get some nutrition from other brands and products.