BAKED OATMEAL – Satisfying, Super Healthy and Scrumptious!

 

It’s the New Year, and everyone is thinking about eating healthier.  So here is a recipe I have been perfecting over the last year … BAKED OATMEAL.  It is yummy, good for you, and easy to make.  Depending on the number of people in your family, it is easy to make ahead and then just re-heat in the microwave the next day.  For my husband and me, a single recipe makes 6 servings, so it lasts us three days.  Even better you mix it all in the pan, so no bowl or pot to dirty as well (less dishes, yeah!!)!

This Oatmeal is paired with apples and raisins, but you can change it up with your favorite fruit.  You can even change it depending on what is available in season.  Some examples would be to exchange the raisins for dried cranberries or dried apricots.  You could add berries, rhubarb, peaches … or whatever you fancy!

I describe the taste, as being a cross between rice pudding and bread pudding.  It is very satisfying, and feels like you are eating a treat, but it only has two Tablespoons of sugar for a whole recipe!  You can eat it plain, or with a little milk or cream poured over it (I like cream, but probably not the best for me!).

We enjoy this year round, as it is so convenient to have made up and have ready.  So enjoy this recipe, and try it with your favorite fruit!

 

RECIPE:

1 cup Large Flake Rolled Oats

2/3 cup Quick Oats

2 Tablespoons White Sugar (I use Organic)

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

1 cup Raisins

1 cup chopped Apple (bite size pieces)

1 teaspoon Vanilla

2 cups Milk

 

METHOD:

In baking pan 6” x 10” (1.5 Quart) or equivalent, pour in both kinds of oatmeal, sugar and cinnamon.  Stir until the cinnamon and sugar are evenly incorporated.

 

 

Next sprinkle your raisins on top.  Chop up one apple into bite size pieces.  You can peel or not, I leave the skin on.  Sprinkle over raisins.

 

 

Next take 2 cups of milk, and add the vanilla, stir.  Then pour over the mixture.  Give a quick stir and lightly pat down to make it even on top.

 

 

Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350° F, for 30 minutes.  Adjust for your oven.  It should be golden brown on top, and if you press down with a fork, there will be just a little milk left in the bottom.  Let cool 5-10 minutes.  All the milk will be absorbed now.  Cut into desired serving, and enjoy!

 

 

In case you are wondering why I have used two different kinds of oatmeal, it is to achieve the perfect texture.  I find with all Large Rolled Oats it is a little to fiber-like for me and all Quick Oats is mushy.  So with experimentation, I found a mixture was the solution!