Inspired by "Savory Oatmeal" on Blue Zones

Ingredients

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 carrot or small beet, peeled and shredded
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 cup stemmed and chopped kale or chopped spinach
• 1/4 cup salsa or marinara sauce
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1/2 avocado, chopped
• 2 tablespoons roasted pumpkin seeds
• Smoked paprika and/or crushed red pepper, optional
• Salt and black pepper

Directions

1. Combine the oats and carrot in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the water. (Use more or less to achieve the consistency you prefer; 1½ cups yields a fairly thick oatmeal.)

2. Heat until simmering, then cook, stirring often, until everything is tender, about 5 minutes.

3. Stir in the kale, salsa, and nutritional yeast.

4. Pour into a bowl and top with the avocado and pumpkin seeds. Sprinkle with smoked paprika and crushed red pepper, if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

Variation: Swap in different flavors of salsas or pasta sauces to turn this into a whole new dish.

Serves 2.