Oatmeal is a healthy choice… if not sugared.

I don’t like artificial apple cinnamon flavored instant oatmeal but oatmeal itself is nice and healthy. So I often make a savory bowl of it for breakfast with using Miso paste.

what you need, one serving
Rolled oats, 1/4 cup
water, 1 cup
miso, 1 teaspoon
egg, optional

Miso is Japanese seasoning paste made from fermenting soybeans. It is not stinky unlike many other fermenting foods such as fish sauce or strong cheese. It is salty and naturally full of flavor with no MSG. Most local supermarkets carry it.

Every miso product has slightly different flavor and some are more or less salty. When you first use miso, try to have only 1 teaspoon and add more later on if desired.

What to do:

1) Put oatmeal, water and miso paste in a pot and cook until soft. It’s just as easy as this.

Optionally, for more enhanced flavor, try to drop in a dashi soup stock package. This small packet is filled with dried bonito and kombu powder and you can make nice stock just like a tea bag makes a cup of tea.

I found some products at Amazon.
Yamaki Katsuo and Kombu Dashi Pack (Bonito and Kelp Soup Base Bag)1.9oz
Make sure to buy packets, not dashi powder. That’s MSG.

2) Heat over medium heat while mixing to dissolve miso. When boiling, add an egg and cover. Lower the heat and cook until the egg to become your desired consistency.

Sprinkle with your favorite garnishing and serve. Chopped scallion makes it more Japanesey, and crispy bacon bits, shredded cheese or a spoon of butter will add power. If you are a competing bodybuilder, do not hesitate to add 6 egg white instead of one whole egg. Yay.