I could eat this for breakast every morning…oh oatmeal goodness!
I am not sure what changed my taste buds from oatmeal loathing to my oatmeal loving, but by golly I can’t get enough of it. I never was a true fan of warm breakfast cereal like oatmeal or cream of wheat; I always preferred my cold sugar cereals in the morning. But, for some reason I have undergone a major transition and can’t remember the last time I had cereal to start my day. Maybe it was the introduction from Cooper’s family to baked oatmeal that changed my taste bud cravings. I have included the recipe below. If you are not an oatmeal lover, try this recipe and let me know if it changes your perception too.
Baked Oatmeal
2-1/2 cups regular rolled oats
1/4 cup oat bran
1/4 cup steel-cut oats
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon*
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
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2 cups milk
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup applesauce
1/4 cup cooking oil
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2 cups fresh fruit**
Plain or vanilla yogurt, milk or cream
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease 2-quart souffle dish. In large bowl, combine first 8 ingredients*** and mix with a wire whisk; set aside. In medium bowl, combine next 4 ingredients. Add to oat mixture and stir until just combined. Place mixture into baking dish. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Remove from oven to stir mixture and gently fold in fruit. Bake, uncovered, for another 20 minutes more or until top is lightly browned.
When I don’t have baked oatmeal on hand, my newest thing has been to make quick oats or steel cut oats and then pour on a little vananna yogurt from Trader Joe’s…a lot of cinnamon…a dash of maple syrup or brown sugar if needed…and a pinch or two of granola on the top for a little crunch. Long oatmeal mornings with a good cup of coffee have become my #1 favorite way to start the day (which I normally can only afford to do time wise on the weekends). I go to sleep at night which pure excitement because I can’t wait to get up and have some oatmeal. I am such a dork.