Mediterranean Oat Bake: A Savory Twist on a Classic Comfort Dish

This Mediterranean Oat Bake is a hearty and healthful way to bring the vivid flavours of the Mediterranean to your table. This meal is a fun take on baked goods, full of healthy ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, oats, and a mix of veggies and herbs. Full in flavour and satisfying, this savoury oat bake is great for breakfast, lunch, or even a light supper. Oats and eggs work well together to provide a filling basis, while the Mediterranean-inspired toppings bring vibrant colour and flavour. This recipe is really adaptable, quick to make, and ideal for meal prep.

Ingredients:

1. 150 g rolled or porridge oats
2. 150 g feta cheese, diced or crumbled
3. 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
4. 1 medium courgette, grated and squeezed dry
5. 1 jarred roasted pepper (or ½ red, ½ yellow), deseeded and roughly chopped
6. 40 g sun-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped
7. 30 g black olives, roughly chopped
8. 30 g chopped nuts (e.g., almond, cashew, hazelnut)
9. 2 tbsp mixed seeds (large ones like pumpkin seeds are best, chopped)
10. 1 heaped tbsp finely chopped herbs (e.g., parsley, basil, chives)
11. 1½ tsp mixed dried herbs (e.g., Italian seasoning or Herbes de Provence)
12. 1 tsp garlic powder or 1 clove of garlic, minced
13. 1 tsp salt
14. ⅓ tsp black pepper
15. 3 large eggs, beaten
16. 50 g butter, melted
17. A little olive oil for the top

Method:

1. Turn on the Oven: Set the oven’s temperature to 180°C (350°F). To facilitate easy removal, prepare the baking dish by coating it with parchment paper or greasing it.
   Get the ingredients ready: Rolling oats, feta cheese, chopped red onion, shredded courgette (squeeze out extra moisture), sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, chopped almonds, and mixed seeds should all be combined in a big mixing basin.
2. Add some seasoning to the mixture. To the oat mixture, add the finely chopped fresh herbs, mixed dry herbs, raw garlic or garlic granules, salt, and black pepper.
3. Pour the melted butter and beaten eggs over the oat mixture to add the wet ingredients. Stir everything together until everything is completely blended and the egg and butter mixture coats the oats evenly.
4. To the Baking Dish Transfer: Evenly spoon the mixture into the baking dish that has been preheated. The mixture may be slightly compacted by gently pressing down with the back of a spoon. Pour a little amount of olive oil on top to aid in browning and crisping when baking.
5. Muesli Bake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Put the baking dish in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the centre is set and the top is golden brown. A toothpick should be able to be inserted into the centre and come out clean.
6. After baking, take the dish out of the oven and let it a few minutes to cool down before slicing. Serve warm or room temperature, and garnish with more fresh herbs, if desired.

In summary, the Mediterranean Oat Bake is a delectable and adaptable recipe that combines the healthful benefits of oats with the vibrant tastes of the Mediterranean region. It’s ideal at any time of day and makes a filling meal, light supper, or robust brunch. It has a blast of savoury flavour from the feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and olives, and a satisfying crunch from the nuts and seeds. This oat bake is certain to be a favourite with everyone, whether you’re serving it for a party or meal planning for the next week. Savour each and every mouthful of the Mediterranean flavour!