Winter Comfort Overnight Oats

Hannah Sunderani
Nov 6, 2016
4 min read

I am one of those people who when they discover a delicious breakfast recipe will eat it for weeks without ever boring of it. And these Winter Comfort Overnight Oats have become my next victim! I literally cannot get ENOUGH of overnight oats! And if I were trying to make excuses for this ridiculous obsession I would attribute it to the fact that the toppings are limitless, making each bowl different from the last. But really....I'm just completely obsessed with overnight oats. And this particular recipe takes the cake as my favourite type.

This bowl of overnight oats is made with large flake oats, chia, mashed banana and coconut milk. Then topped with chopped dates, coconut shavings, more banana and POMEGRANATE!

Another recent obsession of mine? Pomegranate! And it's the creme de la creme of this recipe. I love how it tastes in these overnight oats offering perfect sweetness and crunch! In fact, I refuse to eat these overnight oats without them, and will make special trips to the bio store just to grab another pomegranate if I'm low on seeds. I'm there so often I think the staff are starting to worry about my antioxidant intake....

But I must admit that the beauty of these seeds is actually a new discovery for me. In fact, I used to find pomegranates such a drag! I could never understand why people put themselves through all the difficulty for a few measly seeds. Pomegranates were a fad during my high school years, and my friends and I would sit at break trying to pick out the seeds with a spoon. Needless to say after about 15 minutes the pomegranate ended up in the garbage and we were left with a big sticky mess to abandon before being told to clean it up. (Thank you high school janitors for never once complaining about our pommey mess!) But....now that I'm old and wise (ugh...whatever you say Hannah), I have learned to master the art of removing the pomegranate seeds! And I'd like to share this secret with you!

I know everyone has there own tricks and tips, but here is what works best for me: popping out the seeds in a big bowl of water! Yep, ya heard me right! The quickest, easiest, and least messy way I have found to lure those little seeds out from hiding is to dunk them under water, and pop them out with your thumbs! All the seeds fall to the bottom and any remaining skins float to the top! (Perhaps I would have learned this if I spent more time in science class and less time time in the cafeteria with my pomegranate and spoon?)

Nevertheless, here's How to Remove Pomegranate Seeds:

Step 1: Fill up a big bowl with water.

Step 2: Cut around the middle of the pomegranate with a knife to separate it into two halves.

Step 3: Take one of the pomegranate halves in your hands and push the outer edges gently away from each other to help loosen the seeds. Work your way around the entire circumference, pulling gently at opposite ends to help open the pomegranate seeds. (If large peels of the outer skin rip away you can discard them. But no need to worry about popping out the seeds just yet).

Step 4: Place the pomegranate in your bowl of water and gently begin removing the seeds from the skin with your thumbs. All of the pomegranate seeds will fall to the bottom, and any remaining skin will float to the top. Continue this process until you have popped out all the seeds.

Step 5: Discard the thick peel and any skin that floated to the top of the bowl.

Step 6: Repeat Step 3 through 5 on the second half of your pomegranate. Then use a strainer to drain the water from the seeds.

Easy, peasy, pomegranate squeezy!

I strongly urge you to try this overnight these Winter Comfort Overnight Oats with its delicious pommey seeds. It's a game changer! And if it isn't just the taste that I'm crazy about - it's the beautiful holiday colours that are so profound in this recipe. The combination of the pomegranate, dates, and coconut shavings resembles a comforting holiday dream. It's so pretty! And as the winter months approach, and I'm starting to dread the cold frosty mornings, there is lots to say about a gorgeous and comforting bowl of overnight oats.

Winter Comfort Overnight Oats

Serves: 1| Prep Time: 8 hrs 10 minutes (10 minutes active prep)| Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

For the overnight oats: (to be made the night before)

1/2 banana, mashed
1/4 cup large flake oats
2 tbsp chia seeds
3/4 cups coconut milk
pinch salt

For the toppings:

1 medjool date, chopped
1/2 banana, thinly sliced
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
1 tbsp coconut shavings
1 tbsp sunflower seeds (optional)
1 tsp maple syrup, or to taste
more coconut milk if desired

Directions:

Prepare your overnight oats the night before: add 1/2 banana to a bowl and mash until smooth. Add oats, chia seeds, coconut milk and a pinch of salt. Stir well to combine. Then, place in the fridge overnight to absorb.
In the morning remove overnight oats from the fridge. Top with chopped date, banana, pomegranate seeds, coconut shavings and sunflower seeds. Drizzle with maple syrup to taste. Pour in more coconut milk if desired for preferred consistency.

Approvals: