Associate web editor Rochelle Bilow really loves breakfast. Sure, she’s a morning person by nature, but what she really digs about breakfast is that it’s an opportunity to start the day on the right foot. It’s a chance to eat something healthy, fast, and homemade. This week, she's all about the oatmeal latte. Curious? Read on…
In the small mountain town of Breckenridge, Colorado, locals have pretty much one thing on their mind: spending as much time as possible skiing, boarding, and mountain biking. It's a gorgeous city parked at the breathtaking elevation of 9,600 feet, which makes outdoor adventure easy and accessible.
But before you hit the trails or slopes, you're going to need a hearty breakfast, which is where Johanna Hirschboeck, owner of cult-favorite coffee shop Cuppa Joe, comes in. I recently visited "Breck" (spoken like a local), and stopped by Cuppa Joe to get the scoop on an intriguing dish that has been feeding café regulars for years—and has piqued my interest ever since I heard about it months ago. It's called the oatmeal latte.
"I wanted to create a dish that was good for people on the go," says Hirschboeck. The café also makes great burritos—don't pass on the sweet potato one—but Hirschboeck wanted to make the ultimate meal-in-one: something that combined her expertly-pulled espresso with a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs breakfast, all served in one vessel. Here's how she does it:
First, she combines rolled oats with whole milk and uses the steamer attachment of the café's espresso machine to simultaneously heat the milk and cook the oats. Then, she makes a double shot of espresso. The milky oats are poured into a big mug, topped with the espresso, and finished with a sprinkle of crunchy granola. "People always ask, 'Do you sip it or eat it?'" says Hirschboeck. The answer is "both." The oats thicken the mixture to a smoothie-like consistency, which makes it fun to drink. But there's also lots of good stuff on the bottom of the mug, perfect for scooping up with a spoon.
Although I recommend booking a plane ticket to Colorado and trying Cuppa Joe's oatmeal latte immediately (Seriously. It's that good.), you can hack it at home with strong coffee and a little elbow grease. Use a stovetop percolator or make a small batch of strong pour-over for the coffee component—it'll mimic the balanced bitterness of the espresso. For the oats, heat a few glugs of milk in a sauce pot on the stove, and vigorously whisk it as it warms. Once it's frothy, add in a big scoop of oats, stir to combine, then pour it into your mug. Top with the strong coffee and granola, and sip. You don't have to be a skier to appreciate this genius concoction, but I know I'll be making it at home any time I want to feel transported to the mountains.