Oat Tea

My dear friend Gretchen came to visit last weekend! She's the star chef in one of my favorite food memories. I remember arriving at her old apartment near 39th Street in Kansas City, starving and craving junk food. In a matter of what seemed like minutes she fixed up a steaming plate of broiled brussel sprouts and mushrooms with parmesan cheese. This was before I started cooking in earnest and was amazed that something so satisfying could be both healthy and easy to prepare. In preparing for Gretchen's visit, I of course, stalked up on brussel sprouts and mushrooms. 


When looking through my cookbooks she immediately pulled out Tosca Reno's Eat Clean (2009). This seems to be a favorite among my health conscious women friends. Gretchen wrote down the recipe for oat tea, which is apparently good for strengthening immunity and fighting cold symptoms. Good thing, considering I woke up with sinus troubles the morning we made it! It tasted like home. 

Oat Tea

2 Tbsp oats

1 cinnamon stick

4 cups water

1 tsp honey

Dash best-quality vanilla extract 

Directions: Simmer oats, cinnamon stick and water in a small saucepan for 30 minutes. Remove from heat, add honey and vanilla extract, and strain the liquid. You can eat the leftover oatmeal the next morning for breakfast!