Baklava Oatmeal (A Summer and Winter Version)

I was talking to a friend the other day about sleeping. She was telling me that she only slept for five hours a night and found the whole idea of sleeping to be boring. I on the other hand can sleep for 8-9 hours a night and love the whole process of getting into bed with my favourite television show and then flicking through my iPad (my habit, to browse random topics on Wikipedia before sleeping) before falling asleep. I also love recounting my dreams and they often point me in the right direction to do things or clarify situations.

Sometimes, they're just about food though.

Like for instance, after I made these oats I dreamt that I was buying a pair of shoes (okay that's not related but I did dream that) and that I should also make a hot weather version of these oats for those of you who are sweltering under a summer sun in the Northern Hemisphere while we huddle in front of the heater or fire in the Southern Hemisphere. Either way, the hot weather versus cold weather version of these oats are simple and rewarding. I recently made salted caramel baklava which I adored and wondered if I could add the same nutty, honey flavour to oats.

It turns out that it's very easy and probably just one step away from what you'd usually do to hot oatmeal (the winter version) or overnight oats (the summer version). They both require similar ingredients and yet the end result is suited to whatever climate you may be labouring under.

So tell me Dear Reader, would you go for the winter or summer version? And what do you do before going to bed?

Winter Oatmeal

Serves 2

• 4 tablespoons toasted chopped nuts (walnuts, pistachios or almonds)

• 1 cup rolled oats

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup milk

• a pinch of salt

• 3 tablespoons honey

• 2 tablespoons cream

Step 1 - In a small saucepan, heat the oatmeal, water, milk and salt until cooked-about 5 minutes or less if you use fast cooking oats. Add most of the toasted chopped nuts and most of the honey and mix. Spoon into two bowls and top with the remaining nuts, a drizzle of honey and the cream.

Summer Overnight Oats

Serves 2

• 4 tablespoons toasted chopped nuts (walnuts, pistachios or almonds)

• 1 cup rolled oats

• 1 cup water

• 1/2 cup milk

• 1/2 cup natural yogurt

• a pinch of salt

• 4 tablespoons honey

Step 1 - Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl until well combined and then cover and refrigerate overnight.