Anna Wootton

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Double Chocolate Oatmeal

If you want to continue enjoying the pancake load I thrust on you earlier this week, do so. I have it in good faith (aka Mama Pea), that this week is Pancake Week. So forget about Tuesday being Pancake Day. Let’s just do it the whole darn week, shall we?

However, if you’re in the mood for your usual delicious breakfast oats…well, look no further. I just dialled up the deliciousness factor on these by about 100 or so…

Can you imagine anything better than a breakfast that is sinfully chocolatey but completely good for you?

Me neither.


When I feel the need to really indulge, I simply cook up this breakfast, which isn’t really indulging at all. But it sure makes you feel like you have!

Did you know how good plain, unsweetened cocoa powder is for you? Its stats are crazy…half a cup has more than 8g of protein, for a start. I discovered this when making my Better-than-Starbucks’ Double Chocolate Brownies, which were protein-rich not only because of the secret ingredient (chickpeas, ssh!) but also because of the amount of cocoa powder I made them with!

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Other nutritional benefits of cocoa powder?

  • Half a cup packs nearly 15g of fibre
  • Half a cup has 33% of your daily iron requirements
  • Research has also been conducted that revealed that ingesting cocoa powder lowered blood pressure in those suffering from hypertension
  • there are more flavanoids in cocoa powder than in the equivalent serving of red wine or green tea, both drinks highly touted for their antioxidant benefits

Just make sure you buy dark, unsweetened cocoa powder that is unprocessed.

Now that I’ve convinced you on the benefits of eating chocolatey items (was that persuasive paragraph just completely redundant or what? Haha. I don’t know anyone who needs persuading to eat chocolate…but now at least we can all feel a little better about it!) here’s your recipe…

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Double Chocolate Oatmeal

INGREDIENTS (serves 1):

1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup milk of choice (I used Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almond Milk)
1 tbsp unprocessed dark cocoa powder
1 tsp agave nectar (I don’t like things too sweet, so you might need to increase this)
2 tsp 70% chocolate chunks for topping

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oats and milk in a small saucepan over a low heat. Stir in cocoa powder.

2. Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat and simmer until oats thicken up. Add agave nectar to taste.

3. I remove the oats from the heat and leave them a few minutes to cool – usually it thickens a little more in this time, and I like my oats thick. If you like them runnier, eat right away.

4. Top with chocolate chunks (while the oatmeal is still quite warm so they melt into it) and enjoy!

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Nutritional information for double chocolate oatmeal per serving (serves 1) if using almond milk:

Comments

  • February 24, 2012
    Reply

    But I’m on a diet! And I’m a sugar addict! Can I make it with Bournville? It will have to be dinner tonight! xx

  • February 24, 2012
    Reply

    oh my god. first off i didn’t know all these facts about cocoa powder. i love this. and i am reading this while eating my usual bowl of cereal (which i do love), but am thinking i may fix myself a bowl of this tomorrow morning yum!

  • February 24, 2012
    Reply

    This looks so good!!! Anything with chocolate is ok in my book! Love it!

    Happy Weekend girl! <3

  • February 24, 2012
    Reply

    OH sweeet lord! That is the definition of chocolatey goodness.

  • February 24, 2012
    Reply

    OH yes! What an amazing breakfast, this looks like dessert. Fabulous idea!

  • February 24, 2012
    Reply

    Mmm, looks fabulous! I originally though you used more than 1 Tbsp cocoa as it looked so chocolatey! Which brand of cocoa do you use? I usually get the big container of Rodelle from Costco.

      • February 24, 2012
        Reply

        Oh cool, never tried the Cocoa Camino, but I always have some Fry’s in the cupboard and its good too!

  • February 24, 2012
    Reply

    OK I am definitely bookmarking this! I had NO idea that cocoa powder had all these benefits?!?! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  • February 24, 2012
    Reply

    This looks fantastic! I would add a shot of expresso, or some coffee to make mocha oats 🙂

  • February 24, 2012
    Reply

    This looks like an amazing thing to wake up to! Can’t wait to try this chocolatey goodness one of these morning!

  • February 24, 2012
    Reply

    This looks incredible. Okay, this the 2nd oatmeal and chocolate post I have seen this week. I am IN! Looks amazing!!

      • February 24, 2012
        Reply

        You are too cute! I imagine it would be like my fave chocolate oatmeal cookie but just a little better for me?! I am the same with oatmeal – there are just so many ways to make it awesome….thanks for the inspiration! Love your photos too 🙂

  • February 24, 2012
    Reply

    Okay, WHAT!? I had no clue that cocoa powder had so many benefits, besides the fact that it’s already chocolatey and amazing! Thanks for the info!

  • February 24, 2012
    Reply

    This is the second choc oatmeal recipe i’ve seen this week.
    Yours looks REALLY good!!

    I haven’t made oatmeal in forever!!

  • February 24, 2012
    Reply

    WOAH!!!! This recipe is ah-mazing. I swear, the whole blog world is hooked on chocolate right now-but I must say..this recipe is definitely one of my favorites! And your photos are gorgeous!!

    Ok, but I won’t lie..I’m tempted to make this tomorrow and top it with….a dollop of nutella 🙂 Is that awful?

  • February 24, 2012
    Reply

    Chocolate for breakfast…I’m in! Looks absolutely delicious anna. Have you ever tried oats with carob? it has a natural sweetness from the powder so you don’t have to add any sweetener!

  • February 24, 2012
    Reply

    Trying to get me to lick the screen, eh? :p

  • February 24, 2012
    Reply

    Ahhh deal lawdddd does this look amazing! Your pictures are just truly stunning 🙂

  • February 24, 2012
    Reply

    Girl….this could be my flippin dessert…how AMAZING was this to dive into?? I need grains back in my life so I can eat this for a week straight. YUM!

    xxoo

  • February 24, 2012
    Reply

    Oh my goodness.
    I’m drooling right now just looking at the pictures of this oatmeal. Mmm….I definitely know what I’m making for breakfast tomorrow. (:

  • February 25, 2012
    Reply

    Love this post! Not only did you have me at the initial photo of your bowl of chocolatey oats, but I loved reading all the nutrition stats too! I also am really excited about that brownie recipe you linked… 🙂

  • February 25, 2012
    Reply

    Good grief Anna, how could this be so healthy! I often feel like I dont have time in the morning to make oatmeal, but this is definately worth getting up earlier for! And I am convinced I could get the kids to eat this one!

  • February 26, 2012
    Reply

    This is what I’m having today:-)

  • February 26, 2012
    Reply

    Oh my goodness these look amazing! 🙂

  • March 5, 2012
    Reply

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