Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Pecans in oats will put fall spin on snack
A feeling of contentment still washes over me when I think back on how my daughter would make a bee-line to the refrigerator when she got home from school to grab herself a jar of overnight oats before digging in to her homework. Watching her enjoy the food I prepared, and knowing the nourishment it provided for her was, and continues to be, deeply gratifying for me.
The individual, pudding-like jars were so convenient to have around as a make-ahead snack or breakfast, I’d make a batch practically weekly, changing up the variations with the seasons. I don’t make overnight oats quite as often these days, with my daughter now away at college, but they are still in regular rotation in my home.
In the spring and summer I add peaches, cherries or fresh berries to the base of milk, yogurt, oats and seasonings, and in the winter I stir in grated apple, chunks of pear and dried cranberries. Throughout the fall I can’t resist the allure of pureed pumpkin mixed with a warm, fragrant blend of pumpkin-spice (ground cinnamon, cloves and ginger).
Studded with buttery, toasted pecans and lightly sweetened with maple syrup, these autumn-hued, parfait-like jars of goodness are a flavorful, handy, nutritious way to fuel your morning or afternoon, no matter your age.
The oats need to be prepared at least 8 hours in advance of serving. The prepared oats can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.
Pumpkin Pecan Overnight Oats in Jars
1 cup pecan pieces 1 cup milk
1 cup plain whole yogurt, plus
more for garnish
¾ cup pumpkin puree 3 tablespoons maple syrup,
plus more to taste 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for serving 1/ teaspoon ground cloves
8 1/ teaspoon ground ginger
8 1 cup old-fashioned rolled
oats
In a small dry skillet over medium-high heat, toast the pecans, stirring frequently, until fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board to cool, then coarsely chop. Set aside half of the pecans and transfer the remaining to an airtight container and refrigerate.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, yogurt, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves and ginger until combined. Stir in the reserved pecans and the oats. Taste, and add 1 more tablespoon of maple syrup, if desired. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes, then stir well and divide the mixture evenly among 4 (1 ½-cup) jars. Cover the jars tightly and refrigerate for at least 8 hours and preferably overnight.
Right before serving, top each jar with a quarter of the refrigerated pecans, a dollop of yogurt and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Makes 4 servings.