Greetings! :)
I had so many hiccups with work today. It was just one. of. those. days. I won’t bore you with the details though…!!
If there is one thing having my own bakery has taught me, it is that my own personal meals need to be QUICK, easy, yet still nutritious.
After a slight set back during clean up (I spilled a huge bag of GF rice crisp all over the kitchen! DOH!!!!!!!!), I dove into dinner mode.
I am on a huge savoury oats kick. I am really smitten over something when you see it on the blog more than once or twice. [See here and here for my first two successful attempts.]
Tonight my goal was to make the creamiest and cheesiest bowl of savoury oats yet. Did I just say cheesy? Why yes I did, and its’ name is nutritional yeast! Nooch for short. ;)
Sneaky Peaky…

Chia seeds were my best food find in 2009. My best food find in 2010 is nutritional yeast (so far anyways!). Although I started to use nutritional yeast in 2009, I didn’t really appreciate it until recently!
What is nutritional yeast?
“Yellow in color and with a nutty cheesy flavor, nutritional yeast is an inactive yeast that is a favorite amongst many vegans because of its unique flavor and similarity to cheese when added to foods. Sprinkle some on hot popcorn or garlic bread, or add a generous spoonful to a stir fry or pasta sauce. Nutritional yeast can be found in the bulk foods or supplement section of your health food store. [Source]
“It is a source of protein and vitamins, especially the B-complex vitamins and is a complete protein. It is also naturally low in fat and sodium. Some brands of nutritional yeast, though not all, are fortified with vitamin B12.’ [Source]
Nutritional yeast is a great way to reduce your cheese consumption, yet still create fabulously cheesy and decadent dishes! It is basically a vegan’s dream, but anyone with any diet can incorporate this into their meal plans.
This was by far my favourite bowl of savoury oats…

‘You’re So Cheezy’ Savoury Oats
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup regular oats
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast (the cheeze factor!)
- 1/6 block vegetable bouillon cube (or to taste!)
- Dash or two of turmeric
- Dash or two of the little black dress of seasonings (see below)
- Salt, if necessary
Directions: Mix all ingredients together in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to low and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

Best Buds:
Creamy goodness. You will not be disappointed when you try this.
I couldn’t find the new Mary’s twists in Whole Foods the other week! Hope they arrive soon. Anyone tried them?
Toppings:
- Mary’s Crackers, crunched up
- 1/2 avocado
- Salsa
- Veggie burger flop from last night (it tasted BAD today! blech!!)

Steam coming off the spoon!

Thanks to those of you who suggested adding nutritional yeast to my oats!
There are really no words for this. But I’ll try. :mrgreen:
It was the most beautiful and decadent tasting dish I have had in a long time. Yet healthy, vegan, and packed with superfoods! You could even add a tablespoon of chia seeds to the oats for an extra kick if you are feeling down right crazy.
BOOM:

Eric and I have this inside joke between us involving the word BOOM. If you have seen the movie Couples Retreat you will know what I’m talking about. In one scene the yoga instructor teaches a class to the couples. He twists and bends the women’s bodies all over the place and as he moves their body, he says BOOOOOOOOOOM in this really creepy voice. It is just hilarious and we were dying laughing as we watched it.
Anyways, now Eric and I always say BOOOOOOM at random things and we laugh our heads off. Eric saw that I wrote boom in Sunday’s post and he said, ‘No one is going to know why you say that you weirdo!’ lol. So…FYI!
Dessert- dried organic apricots. Booooooom.

Nature’s iron supplement, I call these!
What is your best food discovery (or favourite meal) so far in 2010?
Updates:
- A Glo Bar giveaway over at Fit This Girl!
- This morning’s Peppermint Pudding was featured on FitSugar today
- Do you know a baby girl in your life? Check out Baby Enchanted’s newest site just for girls called Trixi Lou Couture! Through the month of March, US residents receive $10 off any purchase of $50 or more. Just enter code OSG10 at checkout to receive this special offer. You can also check out their Facebook page here.
I’m off to workout. I wasn’t going to, but after the stress of the day I really think my body will thank me for releasing some endorphins! Need to focus on how good I will feel afterwards…think happy thoughts…

Take calculated risks. That is quite different from being rash.
~George S. Patton
Thanks for the info on nutritional yeast. I had seen it mentioned on another blog but had no idea what it was… Would not have guessed it was cheesy. I am soooo tempted to try it!
The savory oats thing is a little too daring for me at the moment.. I don’t know about that texture thing.. haha.
My best discoveries in 2010 would honestly just have to be homemade things.. I’ve learned to make granola, hummus, fudge, vegan cookies, almond butter..etc. And recently I’ve been obsessed with oatmeal :)
And BOOM is funny.. I actually say BAM a lot. like A LOT.
I haven’t even tried chias yet so I’m wayyy behind! I just won a two lb. bag though and I’m so excited to try them out! Then I need nutritional yeast in my life :).
Best food find of 2009 was definitely oats in a jar!
I just tried my first green monster a few weeks ago and it has changed my life, they are amazing!! I’ve also discovered kale. I never knew how much I would like it until recently
Very timely post, Angela – just bought nooch for the first time yesterday! (My dad asked what is was, then asked if I got any “normal people” food at the store. haha)
I don’t think I’ve had any new fav discoveries for 2010 yet (nooch just may be it!), but 2009 was jam-packed with ’em…I just joined the food blog community last year! :)
Now that’s a bowl of savory oats I could be convinced to try :)
Hey Angela,
Where do you buy your nutritional yeast from?
I have fallen in love with green smoothies…that’s my new favorite food right now. Flaxseeds are also something that I have decided to run away with. ;-)
Oh yes! I totally agree with how wonderful and tasty nutritional yeast flakes are! I love them on popcorn! Will have to try them on some savory oats soon! Looks yummy!
Let’s see…Amazing Grass, Almond products, butter, milk, etc and Mary’s Crackers. When are you going to make “boats” again? I recreated your zucchini boats and they were delish!! :)
Dates! I am loving dates lately! They are nature’s candy!
Those do look good. I have to say, out of all the bloggers who have featured savory oats, you’re doing the best job convincing me! However, I, too, need to find a time when the husband’s gone to try them out. I *know* he’d turn up his nose LOL
Hmm..greatest discovery is definitely nutritional yeast. So far I just make desserts with it and sprinkle it on popcorn, but I’m learning more!
Greatest find of 2009 was Amazing Grass..thus Green Monsters :)
You cleaned up that bowl well : )
Looks delicious!!
Yumm!!!! This is something I must try. I’ve been wanting to cut back on cheese, but I just love it too much!
My favs for 2010 so far are garlic greens (any kind of greens will do) and overnight oats! I can’t believe I’ve lived so long without these!
Another new food brought to my life by the blog world I will have to look into!!
This post made me laugh because I dated a guy whose nickname was Nooch. I will never look at him the same. Haha.
My favorite discovery so far has been cous cous. I am mixing it in with everything and love how simple it is to make!!
Mmm those cheezy oats look amazing and seriously cheesy! I’m hungry for lunch now and it’s only 11am!
Angela, I have an uncomfortable question that I just need to ask. Do you know anything about the effects of nutritional yeast on yeast infections? Before I started eating yogurt regularly and stopped using artificial sweeteners, I tended to be prone to yeast infections. Does nutritional yeast increase the levels of yeast in the body, or is it a totally different type?
Thanks!
I have heard that it is not related, although I am not 100% certain. Anyone else know?
No, definitely not related. Candida yeast is the ‘bad’ guy that lives in your body that you don’t want to be overpopulated.
-Fresh juices via juicing
-Kale chips
-Dried figs and dried dates. I sweat–the dried dates (the good ones) taste like pastries!
Ive never had dried figs, I bet they are awesome
WOW! That looks sooooo good! I think I need some nutrional yeast in my life.
Yum, this looks great! I love Nooch too but haven’t had it since I was a kid (my mom used to get it all the time)! I feel like this would be great with polenta too.
Cheesy. Oats.
O.M.G.
I have wanted to try nooch before but never really had the urge to buy it. Now I do! Ahhh!!!
mmm I want more. I think i’ll make a quinoa cheezy dish this time
Oh my world, this bowl of oats looks amazingly good Angela!!!
I also enjoy savory oats, sooo good, it is like oat risotto!!
I loved the very first one you posted about and thought the mexican themed one was so creative, but this one beats both of them, the good looks and the toppings you chose, wow, I love the pictures!
Will be having oats for dinner tonight for sure!!
Ana