Variety is the spice of life, Bacon and Cheese Baked Oats.

Effectively losing weight has to come with changes and these changes must be manageable. Without these changes sustained weight loss is a fantasy.

Making changes is not however, a deficit option or a negative option. I am a firm believer in finding ways to eat what you like (this is where core comfort comes from) , usually by cooking it in a different way.

This still allows for the adventurous to experiment with the completely new as well, I am one of those but today’s post is a new version of an old favourite.

I have shared recipes for baked oats in the past, with more recent versions being cooked in muffin cases which has become my new norm. However my food loving self also yearns for old favourites like croissant stuffed with bacon and cheese.

If we are truly honest the real flavour of this treat comes from the cheese and the bacon, the croissant is just the transport device to your stomach. This recipe provides a better transport device for the same flavours which sits well in a more balance food menu. It also provides an easy savoury version of baked oats.

Cheese and Bacon Baked Oats Muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of chopped back bacon (all fat removed)
• 30g cheddar cheese, grated
• 40g porridge oats
• 100-150ml thick 0% pain yoghurt
• 1 egg

Method

• Cook the bacon pieces in a non-stick pan using fri-light. Ideally cook until they have browned a bit, this improves the flavour. Put to one side to cool a little.
• Mix together all the other ingredients and season with a little black pepper.
• Stir in the bacon.
• Spoon the mix into two silicon muffin cases.
• Put on a baking tray in an oven (Gas Mark 6 / 180 degrees Celsius
• Cook for twenty minutes or until golden brown on top and springy when tapped.
• Eat hot ideally but also good cold.

Why not try your own versions of baked oats. I have thought I might try adding a tsp of ketchup or HP sauce to the middle of each (or homemade BBQ sauce). Why not cook onions with the bacon or chopped tomatoes and/or mushrooms.

Your food is as interesting as you want to make it but none of us gain weight because we don’t like food, we are either food lovers or comfort eaters (or both). When food is boring or the same, you don’t get comfort or enjoyment and then you look for the alternatives (the snacks and nibbles that really do the damage).