Muffins are just too good to sit on the counter!
And this cottage cheese banana oatmeal was the best of the week! Can you see in the photo above it gets almost a shell on the top layer? I love that. Not sure how/why it happens. More investigating needs to be done.
- 1/3 cup oats, soy milk, water
- 1/2 banana
- ~2 heaping tbsp 4% Daisy Cottage Cheese
- 1/2 tbsp flax
- Pinch salt, cinnamon
- Crumbled Carrot Raisin Walnut muffin from Great Harvest
- Spoonful Almond Haze
The last of the Shenandoah Joe coffee was consumed.
Future Kath,
This is the kind you loved: Panama Berlina.
xoxo,
Old Kath
Instead of milk this week we’re trying something new:
Here’s the deal: Organic milk is expensive, organic soy milk from Costco is shelf stable and cheap. Soy milk cannot go in coffee (don’t worry, I have tried every combo with no success). Therefore, for coffee we need something in the fridge in addition to soy milk. I don’t really care for skim milk in coffee (1-2% is my favorite) so I thought we could try bumping up to half and half, which is less expensive, comes in a small container and supposedly lasts longer. I use about 2 tbsp of milk in my mug so I thought maybe 1 tbsp of H+H would be equivalent.
Turns out I had to use the same amount as I do milk to get the creaminess that I want (which is really a thickness thing more than a flavor thing) and it didn’t really taste any better than 2% milk, so I don’t know if this is going to last.
We received this new toy in the mail to review. Honestly, when I got an email asking if I wanted to try a new food scale, I was going to turn it down. But then I saw that it comes in fun colors like red and was small, so I thought what the heck. Turns out I LOVE this scale – my favorite one we’ve ever had.
Old + New
I don’t really use my Saltar scale much anymore (it has turned into Matt’s baking scale) but one thing I DO use it for is evening out a double batch of oats. I am horrible at eyeballing the portion (esp. if we use different bowls) and you KNOW we have to have even portions out of fairness!! So when I make I double batch, I measure the bowls by weight to ensure we’re each getting a fair share.
The pros of this scale:
- #1 and totally the best: it’s super lightweight!! Our Salter is very heavy to move around the kitchen.
- It’s small
- It measures to the one gram verses two grams on the old scale (Matt loves this for baking, I don’t really notice or have a need anymore)
- It’s very sensitive (the one old is not)
- It measures in pounds, KG, grams, and oz. (Same as the old one)
- It’s pretty inexpensive
- Red is cool!
So total surprise thumbs up in my kitchen book.
I’m excited for our run today!!
Leianna says
That kitchen scale has some great features in a ddition to being a cool color! I need to try cottage cheese in my oats, sounds interesting!
Good luck on the run with the new shoes!
Emily, homecookedem says
I’ve noticed that “shell” in your oats before and it looks so cool!
I don’t have a digital food scale, can you believe it? I mostly just eyeball things…
Have a great run!!
Lizzy says
That kitchen scale looks awesome. i use one but its nothing as hight tech as that. GLad you liked it
Evan Thomas says
That muffin looks awesome! I wish we had more Great Harvests in Boston.
And I love using my kitchen scale for oatmeal/pasta/rice. Any sort of grains I find very confusing to cook the right amount
Madelin @ What is for breakfast? says
Now I want a coloured scale! I wonder if they do a pink version!
Daria (Summer of the CSAs) says
I would love to get a kitchen scale – it would definitely make baking easier.
Cynthia C. says
I did a similar experiment today with my iced coffee. I ran out of creamer last week and haven’t bought any more yet. I tried to just add milk and it was NOT the same. I will not be drinking coffee until I get me some more creamer. It’s a texture and a taste thing for me.
I use to live by my food scale and now I basically use it to measure out pasta and rice pre cooking and things that don’t fit in measuring cups. I have one I got at Walmart like 4 years ago and I love it!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
I’m going to have to pay a visit to the Great Harvest in Chapel Hill JUST for these muffins!! Cool new scale–I’ve been wanting to get one for awhile now. Red is my fave color 🙂
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
That crumbled muffin looks like the perfect topping for those oats! And love that new scale! I never really use my own kitchen scale, so it’s really nothing special, but it’s nice to have a reliable one when you DO need it.
Christie @ Quit Your Diet says
Since I have given up dairy, I use light coconut milk in my coffee and really like it. Of course, you have to like the flavor of coconut to enjoy it but I do. I agree with you about soy milk + coffee, it just doesn’t work for me and neither does almond milk.
Jenna says
Muffin’s don’t stand a chance around me, especially muffin TOPS. Blueberry yesterday, pumpkin chocolate chip today.
I am going for a run today too, a much needed run at that! I am feeling antsy because I feel like I have been a complete bum the past few days :). Have a wonderful Sunday!
VeggieGirl says
What a delectable experiment!! I bet that the Almond Haze spread made it that much better, right?? 😉
Marisa (Trim The Fat) says
I agree, soy milk + coffee + blech! I’ve tried and tried, but it just doesn’t work for me either. I do like half and half , though!
Cool scale!
Katharina says
Fabulous looking bowl of oats! I just finished enjoying mine, and I used coconut milk in it for the first time ever. I also used up the rest of my Cacao Bliss in the oats. So creamy and delicious.
marie says
This has just reminded me that I wanted to add a scale to my Christmas wish list. And soy milk does the same thing with tea as well; however, we can’t afford organic milk so we just stick to the regular old 1% milk.
Angharad (Eating for England) says
That is hilarious that you measure out your oats to make sure you both get your fair share! Love it!
I like half and half in coffee if it’s all that’s available but I agree that it doesn’t really taste any better than 2% etc. Personally though, I put soy milk in mine and love it! Why don’t you like soy? I know people say it curdles but that’s never happened to me!
K says
Anything involving cottage cheese immediately perks my interest! I love the comparison of the milk/H&H in the coffee and the details of the new scale. LOVE the color, so vibrant 🙂
kay (eating machine) says
that scale is kinda absurdly cute.
i really would like one for baking, i just hate spending money on things i can’t either wear or eat 🙂
Fallon says
Your cottage cheese oatmeal reminded me of a bowl of cream of wheat that I use to eat when I was younger. I would always wait to let the top develop a film by cooling off and then I’d dig in!
Diana says
I love TJ’s soy creamer – it mixes very well with coffee. Try that one sometime! 🙂
What are you doing w/ your old scale? Let me know if you’re selling it. 😉
Deva (Voracious Vorilee) says
Those are super tasty looking oats 🙂 I will add milk to coffee if no half and half is available, but prefer the flavor and texture that half and half imparts.
Lisa says
I use soy milk in coffee with no problems, but I prefer soy creamer. What issues did you have with soy milk?
I love that scale!
Deb (Smoothie Girl Eats Too) says
The red scale is cute as a button! Love that you weigh out your portions- for fairness’ sake 😀
I buy that milk b/c they say you really should cough up the dough for organic milk. Problem is that there’s only two of us and we just use it in tea/coffee. I end up freezing most of it in ice cube trays and pulling a few cubes out the day before we’ll need more. Wish they sold smaller sizes! Grr!
Deb (Smoothie Girl Eats Too) says
Doh, disregard statement above- you bought the Half & Half! 😀
valerie says
I have had a lot of success with Silk soymilk in original or vanilla in my coffee. Also, Almond Breeze seems to work even better and doesn’t separate at all.
Shannon, The Healthy Beach Bum says
What a neat scale! I have yet to try weighing my food.. but I bet it has a lot of benefits. Lovely muffin oats <3
Food Maniac says
Awesome I’ve never really though about turning a muffing into a “cereal” of sorts (adding bananas and milk to it), I’m going to go try this with my big blueberry muffin right now 🙂
MelissaNibbles says
Have a great run!
Alexa says
Have you tried any of the shelf stable organic milk? Horizon and Organic Valley have the single serving ones, but I think Organic Valley also has a larger size… it still is smaller than a half gallon (at least I think, it looks small, but not single serving). I really like the tetra packs of the Horizon Chocolate milk for traveling. I am vegetarian and they are great to throw in a suitcase if I am not sure I will get enough protein options.
AmyinOR says
Oatmeal and cottage cheese sounds mmmmm! I have a question — How are keeping all that cottage cheese you got good until you eat your way through it?
Susan says
Hey! Have you tried almond milk in your coffee? I hate the taste of cows milk, but sometimes I like a little creaminess in my coffee too, so I put in a few splashes of vanilla almond breeze. It’s about $2 a carton and shelf stable as well. They say to toss it after a week of opening, but I’ve used it way past 2 weeks before with no problem.
Have fun running today! 🙂
Elizabeth (The Dallas Celiac) says
Land O Lakes has shelf-stable mini cups of half + half (called “Mini Moos”) that are really cheap at Sam’s and Costco. Each “cup” is 10 calories and tastes and blends exactly the same as refrigerated half + half. It’s about $7 for 188 mini cups at Sam’s. You might give it a try. You can also buy them on Amazon for a little more – just search for “Mini Moos”.
Amari says
I add Silk soy creamer to my coffee and absolutely love it, it mixes well and my coffee gets creamy with only a tablespoon of it (15 calories). The french vanilla flavor is my favorite, but plain is also delicious too!
angieinatlanta says
I’m terrible at eye-balling portions as well! I definitely need to invest in a kitchen scale – thanks for the rec!
I do skim in my coffee and I just had to adjust. After a week or so, I was used to it and now I like it.
Meredith says
I am going to Charlottesville for an interview in November and I just made a reminder on my Google calendar to get some of that coffee!
Also, they have Pumpkin Pie Spice Archer Farms coffee at Target now!! I love fall things.
Faith says
Wow, those muffins look so moist! What a great addition to your oats!
Adriane A says
I love red appliances! I have a red rice cooker and microwave! They add so much zest to a kitchen. Do I need a new food scale?
Heather says
I love muffins – especially muffin tops – I need to use my muffin top maker more often.
I have a food scale as well that I love to use – that new red one though looks great. Light, small and red – doesn’t get much better!
Dee says
Those oats look delicious. I have to say I’ve not eaten proper oats since I was a little girl, but your posts inspire me to try it again because you sure do come up with some tasty looking dishes! 🙂
Devan Newman says
nice 🙂
its pretty snazzy looking for a kicthen scale, thats for sure!!
i love warming up muffins, then slabbing them with PB.. gets warm and gooey and messy.\
delish
Anne says
If you put the soymilk into the cup first and pour the coffee in after it doesn’t get the curdling effect
Jess says
Mm, those oats look good this morning.
My two cents on the coffee creamer dilemma – for some reason, the shelf stable soymilks don’t work for me in coffee at all, but the refrigerated Silk brand soymilks (whether plain or vanilla) do. That may have been one of the “combinations” that you’ve already tried, but thought I’d throw it out there just in case.
Pam says
Nice scale. I love how compact it is!
Laura says
I LOVE soy milk in coffee! I put it in the mug first and use a frother to mix it up. Then I add coffee. I prefer soy over ANY other kind of milk…I think it adds creaminess AND flavor…and mine never curdles!
Cara says
I can’t believe you drink Shenandoah Joe coffee! I live in Charlottesville; it’s the best!
P.S. I agree that soy milk in coffee is just as good, especially vanilla soy! But generally I’m more of a black coffee kinda girl.
Clare says
Try Silk for Coffee soy creamer. It’s something I never would have tried until I heard someone raving about it in the grocery store and threw it in my cart. It’s really creamy and yummy for very few calories. I’m not sure how it’s different from regular soy milk–that may require some investigation with regards to additives that would make it not curdle but it does make a really good cup of coffee.
Jenna says
the muffin looks great!
Kristin (Kristins Nibbles) says
I love new kitchen toys! Enjoy!
xo
K
Sarah says
That’s weird, I didn’t realize milk was expensive? I guess maybe where I live its not very expensive because we have a lot of dairy farms in the area.
And LOL at equal portions of fairness! Growing up in a large family we were all about fairness and equal portions!
April says
I’m coming over for breakfast tomorrow!!
Kath says
Thanks for all of the tips!!
Re. soy milk in coffee,
The Costco brand curdles and I can’t figure out a way around it. I’ve tried all methods of heating/tempering.
Diana,
Matt is keeping it for baking, I believe 🙁
AmyinOR,
It lasts a while! I think the expiration dates are in October.
Kath
Tricia says
I tripped across your blog a few months ago and check in when I can but I saw this recipe somewhere and didn’t know if you’ve tried it.
http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/08/oatmeal-creme-brulee.html
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
Cute scale! I’m a scale collecting junkie… I have 4… maybe more? I haven’t even opened some yet LOL I have an EatSmart one sitting in my closet, still untouched from a year ago! They are really useful, especially with baking. Love them!
Jenn
Caroline says
OH man! I need that food scale–my kitchen is fully outfitted with red appliances–except for the food scale!
Maggie says
Hey Kath,
I’m a barista, and while I don’t know the scientific reason for it, soy milk will often curdle when added to a very hot cup of coffee. For example, when added to drip coffee it is very likely to curdle, but not when added to a shot of espresso, because drip coffee is much hotter than espresso.
We use Costco brand organic soy at the coffee shop where I work, and I always steam it for anyone who wants to add soy to their drip coffee.
I’m not sure what the at home equivalent is, but I’d suggest warming the soymilk up to about 140 degrees. And one of those cheap milk frothers sold at Ikea can help add the bubbles you like in your morning cup.
Hope this helps!
Lisa in Austin says
Catching up on a few days missed while on vacation. I do want to plug my coffee + soymilk combo, which works just fine. I make @ 8 oz. slightly extra strong coffee with a single cup filter (just me, husband doesn’t do coffee, crazy man), and while it brews, I warm 4 oz. soymilk (done with both vanilla and plain/light) for 40 sec. in the mic. Then add soymilk to coffee, plus a small shot of agave nectar (if plain). I don’t have any problems with it curdling or separating. Just thought I’d share in the event you decide to try it again.