Night Cereal: Chai Oatmeal with Bacon, Mango, Dates and Raspberries

by Dorothy Reinhold on August 29, 2016


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This post is sponsored by got milk? Food Loves Milk.

Have you ever eaten cereal for dinner?

Of course you have, when you’re utterly exhausted and can’t think of anything else, when you get home and there’s nothing traditionally dinnery in the house, or when you have teenagers. Bless them; they consider cereal a 24-hour all-purpose meal.

But…but…but…what if you gave it a bit of thought, and actually PLANNED to eat cereal for dinner? That’s the proposition by the got milk? folks. They asked me to reimagine the milk and cereal dynamic duo and create a more savory “night cereal” version.

I consulted my cereal-loving teenager, and we came up with a chai-flavored oatmeal that would not be sweetened by the traditional brown sugar, but would have sweet elements from a variety of fruit – dried dates and fresh mango. We’d savory-it-up with bacon, because….BACON. Really, does there need to be any other reason? And we decided to add some crunch with fun freeze-dried raspberries and delicious vanilla-flavored cereal flakes.

Dinner is all about flavor and texture, so we need both to feel satisfied.

Night Cereal -- Chai Oatmeal with Bacon, Mango, Dates and Raspberries on ShockinglyDelicious.comAnd, of course, we would marry everything with fresh, whole milk, because milk and oatmeal are natural partners. Milk has a way of not only cooling things down, but helping to meld flavors.

Chai Oatmeal with Bacon, Mango, Dates and Raspberries on ShockinglyDelicious.comSpicy, savory, sweet and crunchy…this bowl of night cereal has it all.

The base

Oatmeal ingredients for Chai Oatmeal with Bacon, Mango, Dates and Raspberries on ShockinglyDelicious.comA chai-spiced bowl of oatmeal. First we make a chai tea, and then use that tea to cook the oatmeal. Easy peasy.

Toppings

Topping ingredients for Chai Oatmeal with Bacon, Mango, Dates and Raspberries on ShockinglyDelicious.comOur chai-spiced oatmeal will be topped with crispy chopped cooked bacon pieces and naturally sweetened by some fruit — fresh mango chunks and medjool dates. We’ll garnish with a vanilla-almond crunchy cereal and crunchy freeze-dried raspberries Fresh whole milk is poured around the edge of the bowl, to marry the flavors.

The taste

In each bite you get the complex, spiced oatmeal, a bit of sweetness from the mango and dates, some salty/savory from the bacon, a crunch from the garnish, all cooled down with milk.

Teenagers love Chai Oatmeal with Bacon, Mango, Dates and Raspberries on ShockinglyDelicious.comTry night cereal when you are feeling bored with your same-old, same-old dinners. I think you’ll find it an invigorating breath of fresh air.

Chai Oatmeal with Bacon, Mango, Dates and Raspberries

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Yield: Serves 2

A night cereal suitable for dinner, this chai-scented oatmeal is topped with bacon, fresh mango, dates and freeze-dried raspberries, along with some crunchy vanilla cereal flakes. A puddle of milk completes the dish.

Ingredients

  • Oatmeal
  • 3 chai tea bags
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup oats (I prefer Silver Palate variety)
  • .
  • Toppings
  • 2-3 slices bacon, cooked, cooled and diced
  • 6 slices fresh mango (or use fresh peaches)
  • 2-3 medjool dates, pitted and chopped
  • 1/4-1/3 cup Special K Vanilla Almond cereal
  • 1/4 cup freeze-dried raspberries
  • .
  • Whole milk

Directions

  1. Boil 2 cups water and add tea bags. Remove from heat and allow to steep for 10 or so minutes. Remove and discard tea bags. Pour tea into a saucepot with a lid and bring to a boil. Add oats, return to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to lowest. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring once to make sure it isn’t sticking. (If you are not using my brand of oats, follow directions and timing for your brand, substituting chai tea for the water called for.)
  2. While oatmeal is cooking, make sure your toppings are assembled.
  3. When oatmeal is done, divvy it between 2 wide, shallow bowls. Top with all the toppings, using more or less to suit yourself. Pour whole milk around the edge, and dig in!
  4. Serves 2 for dinner.

Notes

Recipe source: Dorothy Reinhold | Shockingly Delicious

https://www.shockinglydelicious.com/chai-oatmeal-with-bacon-mango-dates-and-raspberries/

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Easy Chai Oatmeal with Bacon, Mango, Dates and Raspberries on ShockinglyDelicious.comDisclosure: This post is sponsored by got milk? Food Loves Milk. Thank you for supporting the California Milk Processor Board, and all the brands I partner with. They keep the cameras charged, the computers humming, the fridge full and the recipes flowing here at Shockingly Delicious HQ.

Savory and Sweet Chai Oatmeal with Bacon, Mango, Dates and Raspberries on ShockinglyDelicious.com

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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }

Sabrina August 31, 2016 at 12:38 am

My husband loves oatmeal! This is a great breakfast for him!

Reply

Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet August 31, 2016 at 12:17 am

That flavor combination sounds awesome, I’d totally enjoy this for breakfast!

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Kim Beaulieu August 30, 2016 at 10:01 pm

I could eat this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Plus it’s great for snacking. Love this recipe.

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Maryanne | the little epicurean August 30, 2016 at 9:12 pm

I’m all in for breakfast for dinner! Love the idea of chai oatmeal!

Reply

Patricia @ Grab a Plate August 30, 2016 at 7:38 pm

I love everything about this! What a wonderful, wonderful recipe! I eat cereal for dinner a little too often, but this? This I would truly savor! Nice!

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Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons August 30, 2016 at 7:27 pm

Mmmm…the addition of bacon was genius!

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Julie @ Texan New Yorker August 30, 2016 at 7:19 pm

No, there definitely does not need to be a reason for bacon. Bacon IS the reason for bacon, lol! This sounds wonderful, for any meal!

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Lauren Kelly Nutrition August 30, 2016 at 6:10 pm

This is so creative and fun! And BACON!!

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Platt College August 30, 2016 at 5:43 pm

I love cereal at night!

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Sandi (@fearless_dining) August 30, 2016 at 3:09 pm

What a fun breakfast idea…looks delish!

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Michelle De La Cerda August 30, 2016 at 2:41 pm

This looks incredible. All those flavors!!

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Matt August 30, 2016 at 1:10 pm

What a fun idea! My teen would love this too.

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Erin @ Texanerin Baking August 30, 2016 at 11:27 am

Wow! This is so unique. I would have never thought of this flavor combination, especially in granola. 🙂

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 30, 2016 at 4:46 pm

Erin,
It’s more a cooked oatmeal, but granola would be good, too!

Reply

Vera-OMG Chocolate Desserts August 30, 2016 at 11:07 am

I love these cereal!

Reply

Samantha @mykitchenlove August 30, 2016 at 7:11 am

Looks amazing! So many wonderful flavours together!

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Amanda | The Chunky Chef August 29, 2016 at 6:23 pm

This oatmeal looks so amazing, and I love the flavors going on here 🙂

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 29, 2016 at 7:37 pm

Amanda,
It was….shockingly delicious! 🙂

Reply

Amy Stafford August 29, 2016 at 5:46 pm

I will take cereal any time of day. It is my comfort food all the way! This looks delicious.

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Dorothy Reinhold August 29, 2016 at 7:38 pm

Amy,
I tend to agree. Comfortable meal = cereal.

Reply

Renee - Kudos Kitchen August 29, 2016 at 4:27 pm

Dorothy, every time I see this oatmeal, I imagine the crunch and the taste in my mouth. Gosh, I wish I had a big bowl of this right about now!

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Dorothy Reinhold August 29, 2016 at 7:38 pm

Renee,
Thanks! It does have crunchy toppings!

Reply

Jessica | The Novice Chef August 29, 2016 at 4:01 pm

What a great option for breakfast!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 29, 2016 at 7:39 pm

Jessica,
Breakfast, dinner…either way!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 29, 2016 at 7:39 pm

Roads to Kitchen / Heather,
I predict you will love the chai oatmeal!

Reply

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