Glossário Culinário

Oats

Origem: from the Middle East and Europe, where it has been cultivated for centuries
Também chamado de: rolled oats, oat bran, oat flour

Oats are a versatile cereal sold as rolled oats, bran and flour, used in porridges, cakes, breads, cookies and granolas. With a neutral flavor and a texture ranging from creamy to crunchy, they enrich breakfast recipes and home baking, besides giving binding to savory dishes.

Characteristics

Rolled oats are the most common and come in thick or instant versions, which cook faster. Oat bran is finer and absorbs liquids well, great for porridges and moist cakes. Oat flour comes from grinding rolled oats and works in doughs, pancakes and coatings. Oats absorb a lot of liquid and keep thickening after cooking, so porridges call for adjusting milk or water at the end. Stored in a sealed jar in a dry place, they keep well for months.

Uses in cooking

Oats shine in porridges, overnight oats, granolas, cookies, banana breads, whole-wheat breads and cereal bars. In baking, they give moisture and chewiness to cakes and muffins. In savory dishes, they thicken soups, bind veggie burgers, meatballs and pies, and add crunch to coatings mixed with breadcrumbs. They pair with banana, apple, honey, cinnamon, yogurt, milk and dried fruit.

Substitutions

In cakes and breads, part of the wheat flour can be swapped for oat flour or bran, keeping at least some wheat for structure. Rolled oats can replace part of the flour in cookies and bars, with a more rustic texture. In porridges, quinoa flakes, amaranth or corn couscous create similar creaminess. For coating, ground oats replace part of the breadcrumbs. Those avoiding gluten should look for certified contamination-free oats.

Fun facts

Toasting the flakes in a skillet or in the oven before using enhances the aroma and makes granolas crunchier. In cold recipes like overnight oats, the flakes hydrate in the fridge and need no cooking. Blending the flakes for a few seconds produces a homemade flour that works well for everyday cakes and pancakes.

Recipes with oats

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