Oats, an ancient grain that was first seen in Europe in 1000 B.C., were hailed as "the food of the poor" by ancient Roman agronomists, but in the Viking Age of Discovery, it became the bread of life on long voyages because of its shelf-stable and nutritious characteristics. The "Compendium of Materia Medica" also records that oats have the effect of "benefiting the liver and spleen", and across time and space, it has stepped onto the stage of modern healthy food with a new attitude - oatmeal crisp. The birth of oatmeal cake is not only a tribute to ancient wisdom, but also the product of modern people's pursuit of a balance between health and deliciousness.
Cooking Steps:
1. **Prepare Materials**
- Oatmeal: 100 grams
- Whole wheat flour: 50 grams
- Vegetable oil: 50 ml (olive or coconut oil)
- Honey or maple syrup: 50 g (adjust depending on sweetness preference)
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
- Crushed nuts (e.g. walnuts, almonds): 50g (optional)
- Dried fruits (cranberries, raisins): 30 g (optional)
2. Preheat the oven to 190°C, prepare the baking tray and line with baking paper.
3. In a large bowl, combine the oatmeal, whole wheat flour and salt. Take another small pot, heat vegetable oil and honey to lukewarm, stir well, pour into the dry ingredients, add chopped nuts and dried fruits, and mix well into a ball.
4. Take a small portion of the mixture, gently flatten it with your hands into a biscuit shape, and arrange it on a baking sheet, taking care to leave some gaps.
5. Place in a preheated oven, medium and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown around the edges.
Tips:
- Avoid over-kneading when mixing ingredients to prevent the dough from gluten and affect the crispiness.
- The baking time and temperature should be adjusted appropriately according to the characteristics of your own oven, and you should observe it closely to avoid burning.
- Don't rush to move after baking, and wait for the oatmeal crisp to cool slightly on the baking sheet to keep it intact.
Creative Extension:
- **Oat Energy Ball**: After mixing the above ingredients, do not bake, directly form a small ball, refrigerate and set, portable and healthy.
- **Oat Shake**: Mix oatmeal with milk, bananas, nuts, etc. to make a drink, a new breakfast choice.
- **Oatmeal porridge**: Simply boiled oats, with fresh fruit and honey, warm and delicious.
The moment the oatmeal crisp comes out of the oven, the whole kitchen is filled with the aroma of warm honey and the golden exterior shimmers with an alluring sheen. When you bite into it, you will feel the crispiness of the outer layer, followed by the mellowness of the oats and the crispiness of the nuts, and the sweetness of the dried fruit will be slowly released on the tip of the tongue, bringing a layered taste enjoyment. Each bite is a soothing to the taste buds, as if stepping back in time to the time when the Viking warriors sailed away, or sharing this simple and pure delicacy with the ancients. Oatmeal cake is not only a healthy snack, but also a cross-generational food dialogue.