Cameron Diaz’s Savory Oatmeal Is So Dreamy

• Cameron Diaz’s savory oatmeal includes egg whites, sauteed veggies and ponzu sauce.
• The actor says she loves cooking and considers cooking breakfast one of her talents.
• A savory twist on oatmeal can help you shake up your sweeter routine in the colder months.

Though sweeter versions can hit the spot, we’re huge fans of savory oatmeal: breakfast dishes that include comforting oats alongside some out-of-the-box ingredients like cheddar, collards and eggs or tomato and sausage. As we settle into the fall season, it’s important to remember there’s more to a cozy, filling breakfast than just pumpkin spice-flavored baked goods, so we were thrilled when we came across a 2010 clip of actor Cameron Diaz gushing about her own favorite savory oatmeal recipe on Oprah.

“I love to eat, so I learned how to cook,” Diaz explains in the clip after host Oprah Winfrey asks her if she’s good at cooking. “I love to cook. I’ve been cooking my whole life. It was something my mom taught me.”

The Back in Action actor adds that there’s one meal she’s especially passionate about: breakfast. “I make a really great breakfast. Breakfasts are really good. I do a really awesome oatmeal—a savory oatmeal.”

To make Diaz’s delicious-sounding savory oatmeal, gather a few simple ingredients: chicken stock, water, oats, greens (whatever kind you prefer), leeks, shallots, eggs, butter and ponzu sauce. Unfamiliar with ponzu? Diaz describes the condiment as “a Japanese citrus-soy sauce.”

Check your specific brand of oats for cooking instructions and sub the suggested cooking liquid for the same amount of Diaz’s go-to blend: “I do a half chicken stock, [half] water,” she says, “and I do it al dente so it’s kind of almost like a rice.”

“You saute whatever greens you want with leeks and shallots, and I do a little bit of egg whites on the side,” she continues. “Then, I put a lot of butter into the oatmeal, and then you put the greens and the eggs and then [top with] ponzu sauce.”

This savory breakfast blend sounds perfect to us, especially since greens like spinach and kale can help lower blood pressure, improve digestion and support strong bones. What’s more, allium vegetables like leeks and shallots add tons of flavor, plus some more nutritional benefits. Egg whites also provide plenty of protein, making them a great ingredient to incorporate into your breakfast.

We’ve long been a fan of Diaz’s recipes, from her gut-healthy vinaigrette made with maple syrup, Sriracha and cashews to her roasted corn salad made with yummy ingredients like champagne vinegar, fresh corn and feta cheese. Still, if you’re not quite convinced to jump on the savory oatmeal bandwagon, we’ve got plenty of sweet oatmeal recipes that pack plenty of health benefits. Check out our Chocolate-Banana Oatmeal, Baked Oatmeal with Banana, Raisins, and Walnuts, or Caramel Apple-Inspired Overnight Oats if you prefer to keep things sweet in the mornings.