As doctors advise, the morning should begin with a full breakfast, which allows you to recharge your batteries at least until the lunch break. According to many nutritionists from around the world, the best option for such a breakfast is oatmeal. It will not harm your figure and at the same time provide you with useful substances and vitamins. By adding oatmeal to your daily diet, a person can easily cleanse themselves of toxins, strengthen the immune and nervous systems, and reduce cholesterol and sugar levels. Probably it was these properties that gave oatmeal porridge the name “Hercules”.
Why doesn’t oatmeal have as many fans today as it deserves? We suspect that not everyone knows how to cook it. But oatmeal prepared according to the rules tastes good and is in no way inferior to other types of porridge. In addition, it can be varied; it is enough to replace its ingredients with others. Here are the most popular recipes for cooking oatmeal on gas in the oven, slow cooker and microwave.
The simplest of them is oatmeal with water.
Hercules oat flakes - how to cook with water?
One serving of this dish contains only 102 kcal, but its consumption guarantees vigor and excellent well-being for the whole day. Oatmeal cooked in water is recommended for those who are trying to lead a healthy lifestyle.
To prepare it you will need:
750 ml water,
- a glass of “Hercules”,
- salt, sugar, butter.
How to cook:
Pour the cereal into a plate and remove any debris, husks and defective flakes from it. Pour the cereal into boiling, slightly salted water and cook for about 10-15 minutes. To prevent the porridge from burning, it should be stirred periodically. You can determine the readiness of the porridge by taste - the flakes will become soft, and there will be no liquid left in the pan; it should all be absorbed into the cereal. To make the oatmeal more tender, do not place it on plates immediately after turning off the heat, but cover and let it sit for a while.
Hercules oat flakes - how to cook with milk?
Oatmeal cooked with milk has more calories and tastes better than one cooked with water. It is suitable for children's breakfast and for those who have a difficult day at work.
To cook oatmeal with milk, you need to take:
2 glasses of Hercules,
- liter of milk,
- salt and sugar to taste,
- butter.
Place the pan with milk on the fire and let it boil. Then you should add salt and sugar and oatmeal, cleared of debris. Cook the porridge over low heat until it becomes thick - about 10 minutes. Leave the porridge to stand under the closed lid or pour it into a plate, cover with a lid and let it brew.
To give the porridge a soft and refined taste, you need to add butter to it. Dried fruits, berries and fruits will not be superfluous either.
For those whose milk porridge invariably burns, we can recommend a win-win option for a successful dish made with milk without burning. Cook oatmeal in water according to the recipe given above, and at the end add condensed milk to it. If you like it sweeter, add more condensed milk. By the way, in this case there is no need to add sugar.
Oatmeal cooked according to this recipe is sure to become a favorite dish for both children and adults with a sweet tooth.
Oatmeal in a slow cooker
Oatmeal can be cooked in different ways. The recipes presented above are designed to be cooked on the stovetop. But the happy owners of a multicooker, having cooked oatmeal in it at least once, are unlikely to cook it over fire ever again. After all, the main advantage of a multicooker is its simplicity and consistently successful results. And no burning!
To prepare porridge in a slow cooker you should take:
2 glasses of Hercules,
- 4 glasses of water or 600 ml of water and 400 ml of milk,
- a pinch of salt.
All ingredients are placed in the multicooker bowl and the “Porridge” auto mode is set. In most modern models of multicookers, the cooking process in this mode is designed for half an hour, but if the equipment offers 20 or 40 minutes, then it is better to trust it. After giving a signal about completion, you can add what you like to the porridge - sugar, butter, fresh or dried fruits, nuts.
Oatmeal in the microwave and oven
Oatmeal can be made just as delicious in the microwave. In this way, the porridge is prepared quickly, which means this recipe is perfect for preparing for breakfast.
Pour 3 cups of water into a cup and heat it for 5 minutes. Then salt the water a little, pour a glass of oatmeal into it and put it in the microwave for another 5 minutes. The porridge prepared according to this recipe turns out very tasty.
Supporters of traditional Russian cuisine can be offered a recipe for cooking oatmeal in the oven. To do this, grease the inside of the clay pot with butter - this trick will prevent the porridge from escaping during cooking. Pour 1 part cereal, 3 parts pre-boiled milk, salt and sugar into a pot. Prepare this porridge for about half an hour at a temperature of 180.
We hope that in one of the proposed oatmeal recipes you will choose the one that will make this dish one of the most favorite in your family. Eat oatmeal and be healthy!
The benefits and harms of oatmeal porridge are of interest to everyone who is accustomed to eating healthy and tasty food. To understand the properties of rolled oats, you need to study the composition and main features.
What is rolled oats made of?
A product called "rolled oatmeal" is made from oat seeds. They are processed using a special technology - they are freed from the hard shell, which is not digested by the human stomach, and crushed, turning them into flakes. Thus, after heat treatment, rolled oats turn into a soft and pleasant-tasting porridge.
What is the difference between rolled oats and oatmeal?
Many people mistakenly believe that oatmeal and rolled oats are the same product under different names. In reality this is not the case.
Oatmeal consists of whole grains that look like rice and requires a long cooking time - at least half an hour. And rolled oats are already peeled, flattened and steamed grains - you need to cook it for no more than 5 minutes.
In addition, the benefits and harms of rolled oatmeal still differ from the properties of regular oatmeal. Despite all the value of rolled oats, unprocessed oatmeal contains more useful substances.
Composition and calorie content of oatmeal porridge
Hercules is very beneficial for human health, although it does not require long preparation. Contains:
- vitamins important for human health - E, B1, B9, B2, PP;
- the main mineral components are iron and sodium, zinc, copper, phosphorus, calcium and potassium;
- relatively rare elements iodine, cobalt and manganese;
- disaccharides;
- starch;
- ash.
In 100 g of product there is a little more than 10 g of protein and about 6 g of fat, approximately 60 g of carbohydrates. As for the calorie content of oatmeal porridge per 100 g, it depends on how it is prepared.
- For example, if the cereal is prepared simply with water, its nutritional value will be about 89 calories.
- The calorie content of rolled oats with milk will be determined by the properties of the milk - and will average from 112 to 287 calories.
Important! If you add sugar and butter to the product, the number of calories will also increase in proportion to the volume of these additives.
Beneficial properties of oatmeal porridge
Processed oat flakes are very valuable for the human body because:
- saturate all systems and internal organs with vitamins and valuable microelements;
- strengthen resistance to viruses and colds;
- help quickly get rid of toxins and waste;
- protect blood vessels from harmful cholesterol and help the liver function;
- have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the stomach and intestines;
- When consumed regularly, they strengthen the heart and stimulate brain activity.
The properties of hercules are valuable for athletes and for everyone who is engaged in hard physical labor. Organic compounds in the product help amino acids to be absorbed faster, which means they promote muscle growth and recovery.
Healthy rolled oats, consisting mainly of slow carbohydrates, perfectly satiate. One serving of porridge is enough to not feel hungry for a long time.
The benefits of oatmeal porridge for pregnant and lactating women
The benefits of oatmeal porridge for women, especially during pregnancy, are simply enormous. The product contains a huge amount of iron and folic acid, and both of these components are fundamentally important for the healthy development of the mother and fetus.
In addition, vitamin B, present in rolled oats, helps fight toxicosis, and riboflavin and thiamine, which are part of it, support the vigor of the female body. During the period of bearing a child, it is recommended to eat rolled oats as often as possible, combining them with vegetables, fruits and fresh juices.
During lactation, the properties of rolled oats also do not cause harm. The product nourishes women and babies with beneficial elements and enhances lactation.
At what age can oatmeal porridge be given to a child?
Porridges cooked in water and milk are the first to appear in a small child's complementary feeding. And undoubtedly, rolled oats are the most healthy porridge of all. However, it should be offered to a baby for the first time no earlier than 6–8 months of age. The fact is that the cereal contains gluten, and it can cause allergies.
If individual intolerance is not detected, then oatmeal porridge for infants will become the basis of the diet. It contains all the essential elements and vitamins for health, and in addition, the product contributes to the normal development of the baby’s digestive system.
Attention! Even the beneficial properties of rolled oats can in rare cases cause harm to the body, so before introducing the product into your diet, you should definitely consult with your pediatrician.
For what diseases is oatmeal porridge useful?
Hercules is considered an incredibly healthy porridge for the digestive system. For certain ailments it is especially recommended for use.
For gastritis and stomach ulcers
For ulcerative lesions and gastritis, oatmeal porridge tops the list of allowed foods. Due to the fact that rolled oats contain a lot of gluten, the porridge turns out to be very soft and slimy - therefore it gently envelops the walls of the stomach. Exacerbations of diseases with its use pass much faster.
For acute and chronic inflammatory processes in the stomach, rolled oats will not cause harm if you cook it without salt.
Important! The benefits and harms of raw rolled oats steamed with boiling water for gastritis are ambiguous - such flakes can irritate the stomach.
For diabetes
Hercules consists mainly of slow carbohydrates - this property does not cause harm, but is very useful for diabetes. The product perfectly satisfies hunger, while useful substances are absorbed over a long period of time, and the level of glucose in the blood does not jump.
In addition, rolled oats have a positive effect on the diuretic and choleretic functions of the body, preventing the development of complications in diabetes. If you eat porridge regularly, you will have to resort to taking insulin much less often.
For hypertension and heart attack
The properties of rolled oats have a very good effect on blood vessels and cardiac activity. Therefore, with chronically high blood pressure or during rehabilitation after a heart attack, it is recommended to include the product in the diet.
You can eat not only porridge, but also a healthy hercules decoction. To prepare it, a glass of flakes is boiled in 1 liter of clean water until the liquid has evaporated by half, and then filtered and drunk half a glass per day.
Advice! It is better to divide the broth into small portions - no more than a tablespoon at a time.
For colds
The beneficial properties of rolled oats are great for treating fever, runny nose and cough, as they strengthen the immune system, fight viruses and bacteria and remove toxins from the body.
In addition to porridge, you can prepare a milk drink based on oatmeal. The flakes are poured into a small saucepan, poured with milk and cooked over low heat until fully cooked. Then the cereal is filtered and the remaining milky liquid is drunk a couple of large spoons three times a day.
For constipation
Hercules porridge stimulates proper intestinal function and speeds up metabolism. Therefore, for constipation, the properties of rolled oats can solve the problem within one day. The benefit for the intestines of oatmeal porridge is that if you use the product on a regular basis, then difficulties with bowel movements will become a thing of the past.
However, we should not forget about other foods that promote healthy digestion - especially vegetables. In large quantities, even the beneficial properties of rolled oats can be harmful and lead to constipation.
The benefits of oatmeal porridge for weight loss
Since rolled oats significantly activate the intestines and improve digestive functions, when losing weight, its properties primarily help get rid of toxins. Along with excess substances, kilograms also go away - the effect of the diet quickly becomes obvious.
The beneficial properties of rolled oats for weight loss also include the fact that porridge makes it easier to tolerate dietary restrictions. After eating it, you will feel a feeling of fullness in your stomach for a long time, and there will be much less temptation to treat yourself to tasty but forbidden foods. Rolled oatmeal itself is low in calories - especially if you cook it in water and do not add sugar or butter.
Mono-diet on Hercules
A diet based on eating only one product is an effective way to lose weight. At the same time, such diets are quite difficult to tolerate, and sometimes even lead to harm to health. Hercules will be the best choice for a mono-diet, since its properties help maintain good health even with a temporary refusal of all other products.
The mono-diet looks like this:
- For 7 days, the diet should contain only rolled oats porridge, cooked without adding milk or salt in water.
- Use it 5 times a day, in portions of no more than 250 g.
- Apart from rolled oats, you should not eat any other foods - if you really want to, you can only eat an apple or a pear during the day.
On such a diet you can lose several kilograms in a week. But you need to remember that the benefits and harms of rolled oats for the body during a mono-diet depend on the amount of liquid consumed - you should drink at least 2 liters of water per day.
Kefir diet with rolled oats
Another effective diet is kefir-hercules diet. It is also designed for a week, and during this entire time you need to eat only two products - kefir and rolled oats.
You can drink porridge with kefir throughout the day; the properties of rolled oats soaked in kefir will also bring benefits. The main thing is that the total daily volume of kefir should be no more than 1 liter, and the daily amount of porridge should be 450 - 500 g.
The benefits of oatmeal porridge in the morning
As a rule, it is recommended to consume porridge in the morning. The benefit of rolled oats on water in the morning is that it helps to wake up and invigorate. Hercules is well digested in the morning, lifts your mood and gives you a feeling of fullness for a long time.
Is it possible to eat oatmeal porridge at night?
Rolled oatmeal flakes are quite low in calories; the healthy porridge is well absorbed by the body and is not stored in fat reserves. Despite the fact that it is best to take rolled oats in the morning, eating it shortly before bed is also allowed - it will not cause harm.
How to cook oatmeal porridge
There are three main recipes for making rolled oats. All other culinary variations, one way or another, are based on them.
Hercules porridge on water
The simplest and healthiest option is rolled oats cooked in water. Do it as follows:
- Place a small saucepan with about 400 ml of water on the stove;
- when the water boils, it is salted and a little less than a glass of oatmeal flakes is added;
- The porridge is cooked for 7 - 10 minutes, and then removed from the stove and cooled slightly.
The benefits of oatmeal porridge with water will not decrease if you add fresh berries or fruits to it.
Advice! If desired, you can pour boiling water over the rolled oats - the benefits of the product will not decrease, and there will be no harm if you simply infuse it properly without traditional cooking.
Hercules porridge with milk
Another popular recipe is rolled oats with milk. It is important to immediately emphasize that milk serves as an additional ingredient - and the porridge is still cooked in water.
- To begin with, bring the required amount of water to a boil on the stove, add salt and add rolled oats.
- Cook the porridge for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until it becomes soft and boiled.
- Then milk is poured into the pan - the amount is determined by taste. The milk should be warm, it must be heated separately to 45 - 50 degrees.
- After another 5 minutes, the finished porridge is removed from the stove and left to brew for a short time under a lid or under a towel.
Then the porridge can be laid out on plates, flavored with butter or jam if desired. The benefits of oatmeal porridge with milk will only be increased by berries, nuts, pieces of fruit or honey.
Recipe for rolled oatmeal porridge in a slow cooker
It’s easiest to prepare rolled oats using a slow cooker - the kitchen appliance will do everything on its own. The main thing is to place the products in the required proportions into the multicooker bowl.
To make rolled oatmeal porridge soft and tasty, you need to add the following to the slow cooker:
- a glass of good rolled oats;
- 20 g sugar;
- a pinch of salt.
Then pour a glass of water and milk into the bowl, and then set the “Porridge” or “Stew” mode. After a quarter of an hour, the multicooker will signal with a sound signal that the dish is ready. Hot porridge can be flavored with butter or sweeteners added.
Is it possible to eat oatmeal porridge every day?
The beneficial properties of oatmeal porridge are very high, and it is almost incapable of causing harm. With constant use, rolled oats do not cause constipation, since it contains both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, which activates peristalsis.
Thus, you can consume rolled oats daily - there will be no harm. Many people appreciate the benefits of rolled oats steamed with boiling water - the flakes don’t even have to be boiled.
Harm of oatmeal porridge and contraindications
Hercules is a product with a minimum of contraindications. Adults and children, healthy and sick people are allowed to eat it; porridge is part of a balanced healthy diet and is considered a good basis for mono-diets.
You can't use rolled oats in just one case - if you have an individual allergy to gluten. In this case, porridge with a high gluten content will not be absorbed by the stomach.
In addition, the health benefits and harms of oatmeal porridge can become controversial if oatmeal is overused. If consumed daily or frequently, it is recommended to eat porridge in small portions so that an excess of certain minerals does not form in the body.
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of oatmeal porridge depend on whether a person is allergic to cereals containing gluten. If there is no individual intolerance, then rolled oats will become a valuable source of vitamins and essential mineral elements.
Hercules porridge is a dish familiar to many. In childhood, you need to eat it to grow faster and not get sick; in adulthood, it helps to maintain your figure, and old people prefer it because it is easy to digest. A properly prepared dish looks appetizing, has a pleasant aroma and delicate taste.
If you don’t do everything according to the recipe, you may end up with a slimy gray mixture that you don’t want to eat. Below we will give some tips on preparing oatmeal porridge, but for now we suggest finding out what its benefits are and what it is made from.
What makes the healthiest breakfast?
“Oatmeal, Sir Barrymore” - this phrase from the film about the adventures of Sherlock Holmes is known to many. Because of it, some people believe that the British only eat rolled oats porridge for breakfast. Oatmeal and rolled oats are the names of one product made from oats. " Hercules"- the name of the brand that produced oatmeal in the Soviet Union, hence the second name of this dish.
Previously, oats were considered unsuitable for food. It was used to prepare livestock feed. The first to add it to human food were the inhabitants of the Scandinavian countries, starting to prepare stew with oats in water or meat broth. This happened back in the 13th century.
Oatmeal became porridge only 300 years later. Finally, this dish earned the attention of chefs, and they began to experiment, adding various spices and additives to it. In those days there was oatmeal porridge with water; they began to add milk a little later.
Until the beginning of the 19th century, it was prepared from grains; after the invention of the method of steaming cereals, oatmeal appeared. Now they are sold in stores under different names and are used to prepare delicious porridges. In addition to them, you can find instant oatmeal on the shelves, but it contains fewer nutrients.
Hercules contains:
- Protein;
- Amino acids;
- Cellulose;
- Fats;
- Carbohydrates;
- Starch;
- Ash;
- Elements: iodine, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, manganese, copper, iron, zinc;
- B vitamins, tocopherol (E) and niacin (PP);
- Mono and disaccharides.
The calorie content of oatmeal porridge is 350 kcal.
It's great for breakfast. Amino acids help restore muscle protein, fiber helps cleanse the intestines of toxins, and the presence of antioxidants helps slow down the aging process.
In addition, gluten carefully envelops the walls of the stomach, so this product is prescribed for gastritis and peptic ulcers. And since this dish is very nutritious, contains all the elements necessary for a healthy body and allows you to forget about the feeling of hunger for a long time, it is often used in weight loss diets.
Simple oatmeal recipes
How to cook oatmeal porridge? For cooking, it is best to take flakes that require cooking. First, let's look at cooking with water. The proportion of cereal and liquid is 1:2, that is, take 2 cups of boiling water per glass of cereal. You will also need salt, sugar and butter.
Pour the required amount of water into a saucepan and bring to a boil. When the water becomes hot, it must be salted and sugared. After boiling, add the flakes and, stirring constantly, cook for 4 minutes (just in case, check the cooking time according to the instructions on the package).
After pouring the cereal, foam will begin to form, which will try to “ run away" At this time, you just need to blow on it or briefly remove the container from the heat. After the set period has expired, the stove is turned off, and oil is added to the porridge and laid out on plates.
You can also prepare rolled oats with milk. This porridge turns out very tasty if you add fruit to it. Per 100 g of flakes " Hercules"You will need 2 glasses of milk, 1 piece each. apples, oranges and bananas, butter, salt and sugar. Pour the required amount of oatmeal into the boiled milk and cook, stirring over low heat for 5-10 minutes.
Turn off the heat and add salt and sugar. After this, cover the saucepan with a lid and leave for another 3 minutes. At this time, you can prepare the fruit. They are peeled and seeds removed, then the orange is cut into cubes, and the banana and apple are grated on a coarse grater. Fruits are added along with oil. If desired, sugar can be replaced with honey, and dark chocolate is suitable as a flavoring additive.
Another sweet recipe is oatmeal with dried fruits. For 100 g of rolled oats you will need 150 ml of milk and water. Pour the liquids into the pans and bring to a boil. After adding a little salt and sugar, add the flakes. Stirring until the cereal is ready. Preparing dried fruits. Dried apricots, raisins, figs, dates and prunes are suitable for this dish. They need to be washed and cut.
After the oatmeal has boiled for 3 minutes, add the fruit and reduce the heat to low. Cover the container with a lid, simmer for another 10 minutes and turn off. To add an original taste to this dish, it is recommended to add a little olive oil before serving.
Hercules porridge in a slow cooker is also easy to prepare. Pour the cereal into a cooking bowl, pour a glass of pasteurized milk and the same amount of boiling water, add sugar and a little salt. Now all that remains is to close the lid and set the mode to " Porridge" We are waiting for a signal from the smart machine, which will notify the end of the process.
By default, the cooking time in such units takes about an hour, but if it is possible to change it, then set it to 35 minutes, this will be enough. You can add honey, butter or fruit to the finished dish. As you can see, the recipes are simple, but the porridges made from them turn out very tasty.
In order not to make a mistake with the cooking time and not to overcook the flakes, you need to know the signs of readiness of your dish:
- When the dish is ready, almost no foam forms;
- The cooked flakes should swell, but should not fall apart.
If you want to lose weight with the help of this miracle porridge, then you need to adhere to special tactics.
Hercules and weight loss
Hercules porridge for weight loss is an excellent option for those who want to get rid of a couple of extra kilos without ruining their body with hunger strikes. Nutritionists suggest eating these dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but during breaks, be sure to drink a lot of liquid: green and black tea, mineral water without gases.
Also, the daily menu will include various vegetables (except potatoes) and fruits (exception: banana, grapes, dates).
To obtain the best results, such a diet is followed for 10 days, if there is no additional physical activity, and a week when sports are involved. Hercules porridge is cooked not with milk, but with water, without salt, sugar or butter. If desired, you can add fruit and olive oil.
During weight loss, all flour and confectionery products, except dark chocolate, carbonated and alcoholic drinks, meat, poultry and fish, should be prohibited. Your weight loss menu should only include oatmeal, vegetables and fruits, kefir at night and teas with mineral water.
You can prepare a decoction of rose hips and medicinal herbs (chamomile, knotweed). The liquid is drunk 30 minutes before and after meals, in an amount of at least 1.5 liters per day.
If you do everything correctly, then during this time you can lose from 3 to 6 kg. You need to get out of the diet gradually, introducing fatty foods a little at a time.
Is everything so wonderful?
We talked about all the advantages of this simple dish, but we must remember that everything is good in moderation. Excessive consumption of oatmeal can lead to poor absorption of calcium by the body. This, in turn, affects the condition of hair, nails, teeth and bones. They all become fragile and brittle.
It doesn’t matter what recipe the oatmeal porridge was prepared according to. Therefore, there is no need to extend the diet, trying to lose more weight; it is better to repeat it again after 3-4 months. And, most importantly, give preference to cereals that require cooking rather than quick porridges. Bon appetit and good mood!
How to cook oatmeal porridge in water step by step video recipe
We have also prepared a video for you to fully understand the step-by-step cooking process.
Loading...