Saturday, March 13, 2010

best oatmeal EVER!

That's a bold statement for someone that's eaten oatmeal for breakfast almost every single day for years. But honestly, this was one of the best bowls I've had in so long! We serve a meal at a soup kitchen once a month, and had TONS of leftover, already cut apples. So I need to use them, well, today. I'll be eating LOTS of apple-themed meals today, that's for sure!

Cran-Apple Oatmeal

-1 apple, chopped (peeled if you want, but doesn't have to be)
- handful of frozen cranberries
- 1/4 cup oatmeal (rolled oats)
- 1/4 cup oatbran (I love the combo- it makes it creamy AND chewy)
- 1 1/2 cups water (or you can do 1/2 milk of your choice and 1/2 water)
- cinnamon, vanilla, whatever spices you'd like
- coconut oil
- toppings (I had crushed walnuts, which were perfect, and about a teaspoon of Maple Agave syrup, which I'd omit next time. I was afraid it wouldn't be sweet enough with the cranberries, but the apples sweetened it plenty)

First chop apple and put in a pot with some cinnamon. Cook on medium for a few minutes, until apples are soft. I added the cranberries with the liquid, but you could add them here too. Add liquid and grains and stir it all up. Add spices (I use 1 t. vanilla and a whole lotta cinnamon, but it's definitely to your tastes!). Let that all cook until you're desired consistency (it really depends on how much liquid you use and how you like your oatmeal. I like mine thicker, so this took about 10-15 minutes to cook). At the end, add 1 T. of coconut oil (ESSENTIAL- adds ultimate creaminess and healthy fats). Dump into a bowl, then add toppings to your hearts delight!

I really loved this bowl. The flavors were spot-on! I realized after that I didn't add my usual ground flax, but between the walnuts and oil there were plenty of healthy fats. I'll have to find another use for the flax later :) I just wasn't feeling the almond butter today; normally nut butters on oats are my favorite. Maybe I'm OD'ing slightly, which can't be a bad thing. Nut butters are good and all, but when you're eating them from the jar, with a spoon, several times a day, an intervention needs to happen :)

2 comments:

  1. Where do you buy oat bran? I've read about it on a few blogs but haven't a clue what it is or where in the grocery store to find it!!

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