Saying Hello to a New Year, New Blog Host, and New Healthy Breakfast

Happy New Year! Yes, I'm a tad late. You see, I've been working on this beautiful new blog design that you're looking at right now. Trust me, I adored the old design but it was time to go back to basic. Plus, this Sqaurespace platform is delightfully clean and (much) easier to use. But, I must (hesitantly) admit, I'm still running into some minor roadblocks. Hey, I never claimed to be tech-savvy! So with the help of my main squeeze, you can expect some pretty *little* changes to the design in the next few weeks.

But until then....I hope you're equally excited about the new look as I am!!! I also hope that you all enjoyed a safe and relaxing end to 2014 and beginning to 2015. Speaking of 2015, I'm changing my game up a bit. Not only in life, but with Dash of Les too. Turns out, even the foodiest of food lovers can get burnt out on recipe creating and sharing. So that means the obvious- more restaurant reviews. It also means sharing my L.A. weekend adventures - from awe-inspiring hikes to bicycling adventures down the Venice boardwalk. And if I'm feeling up to it, it may mean posts on some other fun stuff too. In other words, stay tuned!

However, today...I'm bringing you a super healthy twist on a breakfast classic. Because I have less than 3 months until my wedding...and (wait for it....) less than a month until my 30th birthday!!! I'm determined to look and feel as good as I did at 20! Way less glutton time...way more gym time for Les. 

I'm bringing you a recipe that I made on a whim recently. Upon realizing that plain outmeal sans the brown sugar and maple really does suck, I decided to take a risk on a classic. So I made it savory. Using things I already had in my fridge, I was quite skeptical of this dish too.

But...it turned out fantastic! With sautéed onions, garlic, spinach, and hot sauce mixed in the oats with a topping of freshly grated parmesan and a deliciously runny fried egg, this healthy oatmeal alternative is definitely my new weekday morning go-to.

I make it extra easy and extra quick by making the sautéed onions and garlic in large batches and refrigerating for the week. I also use instant oatmeal so that this A.M. beauty is on the table and in my mouth in less than 10 minutes. Make it today, and I promise...it's going to be your new favorite way to eat a (otherwise boring) healthy oatmeal breakfast.

Savory and Healthy Fried Egg Oatmeal 

Ingredients:

1 cup Instant Steel-Cut Oatmeal

2 cups water

2 cups fresh baby spinach

1/2 cup chopped yellow onion

3 cloves garlic

2 tablespoons hot sauce

2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 eggs

Olive Oil spray

salt and pepper

Directions:

1) Bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add instant oatmeal and stir constantly until thickened. Add sautéed onions and garlic as well as the hot sauce, fresh spinach, and a pinch of salt. Stir until spinach is wilted. Top with a lid and remove from heat.

2) Prepare the eggs. Spray a non-stick pan with olive oil and bring to medium heat. Crack the eggs. Let cook for 2 minutes and then turn heat to low and cover for an additional 1-2 minutes. Feel free to fry your egg however you like! This is just my method.

3) Spoon the oatmeal into a bowl and top with parmesan. Place one fried egg on the oatmeal and top with salt, pepper, and extra hot sauce (if desired).

4) ENJOY!!!

*Makes 2 portions