Oat-chata (Oat Horchata)

I am a relatively recent oatmeal convert. I wouldn’t touch the stuff for most of my life unless it was baked into a cookie. But back in college I tried eating oatmeal for breakfast and it slowly started growing on me. Since then, I have enjoyed trying oats in all kinds of dishes. There’s still cookies, of course. For breakfast, this Girl Scout Oatmeal is definitely a favorite. But oats aren’t just for breakfast and dessert anymore.

Oats are an incredibly versatile ingredient and I love that about them. You can use them in so many recipes. After reading OATrageous Oatmeals by Kathy Hester, I am even more convinced that oats are magic. Kathy finds very creative, out-of-the-box ways to use oats in familiar recipes — even drinks! I am really excited to introduce you to this awesome new book and to give you a chance to win it for yourself.

Inside OATrageous Oatmeals you’ll find ways to use this grain in everyday dishes. Every single one is vegan, and many of the recipes are soy-free, lactose-free and gluten-free. Kathy’s book has so many delicious-sounding recipes I want to try, both savory and sweet. I’m stoked about the Chickpea Veggie Soup and Veggie Oat Taco Mince. Who would have thought you could put oats in tacos?! I’m also intrigued by the Blackberry Mojito Overnight Oats. I love recipes that you can make ahead and eat on the go.

To me, though, the best surprises in this book are the liquid recipes. There are several for homemade coffee creamers, like Coconut Vanilla Nut Creamer. How cool is it that you can sweeten your coffee with water infused with oatmeal? Definitely going to try that.

And then there’s this Oat-Chata. Kathy’s spin on Mexican horchata — made with cinnamon, rice, oats and almonds — is so beautifully delicious. I am lactose intolerant, and as much as I love dairy, I really shouldn’t consume it. Many recipes for horchata infuse rice with cow’s milk, but this version omits the dairy altogether. This lactose-free version of horchata is absolutely perfect for someone with dietary restrictions like me.

And because I always share cocktails on Fridays, you should know that I definitely spiked a glass of my Oat-chata just to see. And yes, it totally works. In an 8-ounce glass, pour the oat-chata over 1 ounce of rum, tequila or your favorite liquor. I bet vodka, bourbon and whiskey (Fireball, anyone?) would go swell in this drink. Enjoy and good luck! // susannah 

P.S. This drink definitely has me humming that Vampire Weekend song. So good. And so fitting! In December, drinking oat-chata…

Here’s how to enter the OATrageous Oatmeals giveaway:

1. Enter the giveaway through the Rafflecopter widget below. Everyone gets a free entry! You can enter multiple times, through up to seven additional entries by following Feast + West on social media. (If you’ve followed in the past, that counts! Just enter the info as prompted.)
2. The giveaway is open until Monday, Dec. 22, 2014 at 10 a.m. EST. One winner will be chosen at random within 48 hours. Winner must claim prize within 48 hours of initial contact. The retail value of the prize is $19.99. Prize includes one copy of the cookbook.
3. Open to U.S. residents only. Must be 18 years of age as of Dec. 12, 2014.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with an advance copy of the cookbook and the recipe has been printed with permission of Page St. Publishing Co. This post contains affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking one of them. All opinions are purely my own. Thank you in advance for supporting Feast + West!

Click below to see the recipe!

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Oat Horchata

Yield: 4 cups/946 ml

Pre-Prep Time: 8 hours

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes

Horchata is a traditional Mexican beverage made with homemade rice milk, cinnamon and sweeteners. I’ve taken liberties with it here by adding in oats and almonds. It’s amazing served over ice and is the perfect drink for a hot summer day. I have to admit that I went through my first batch in a day—it is just that good. Consider yourself warned. Maybe go ahead and make a double batch. (gluten-free, soy-free, oil-free)

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Ingredients

• 4 cups (946 ml) water, divided
• 1/2 cup (40 g) steel-cut oats
• 1/4 cup (27 g) skinned almonds, whole or slivered
• 1/4 cup (46 g) long grain brown rice
• 2 whole cinnamon sticks
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) agave nectar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3/8 teaspoon stevia

Instructions

1. Put 2 cups (473 ml) of the water in a 4-cup (946-ml) sealable glass container along with the oats, almonds, rice and cinnamon. Soak overnight or between 8 to 24 hours.
2. Once the soaking time is up, remove the cinnamon sticks and pour the mixture into a blender.
3. Blend for 1 to 2 minutes or until most of the particles have broken down.
4. Strain through a small mesh strainer into a bowl with a pour spout. Rinse the blender and strainer.
5. Strain the mixture a second time into the blender. Add the other 2 cups (473 ml) of the water, agave, vanilla and stevia and blend well.
6. Store leftovers in the fridge. Serve over ice.

Notes

I used my favorite sweetener combination and encourage you to do the same. Just blend the milk with a touch of your sweetener, then taste and add more if necessary.

**For zero waste in this recipe, save the pulp you strain out of this milk and cook it with about 1 to 2 cups (235 to 475 ml) of water over medium heat until the rice particles become soft. I like to eat it as a breakfast with a little sweetener - yum!

From OATrageous Oatmeals by Kathy Hester and printed with permission of Page Street Publishing

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 cups Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 31Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 1g

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