Apple Spiced Oatmeal
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
With all the chilly winds biting our noses lately, I have been feeling the need to have heartier breakfasts. The fruit, cheese, toast and occasional yogurt with granola that I am used to just is not cutting it. Cue this oatmeal. It's hearty, healthy, warms you down to your bones, and you can make it while getting ready for work, though admittedly it will be easier to have everything ready for when you awake. Prep the spice mixture the night before, have your oatmeal measured and ready to go, and set your apples on the cutting board with the knife waiting to greet you in the early hours. Just make sure to time the apples to prevent burning while you are getting dressed.
Speaking of apples, I used what I had on hand: one gala and one macintosh. Most apples will be sweet enough, but if you use something more tart, like a Granny Smith, be sure to taste and adjust the molasses as needed. In fact, I find this to be very much a taste-as-you-go recipe. While I originally made this recipe for 6 servings (let's be honest, one person needs 2 servings of oatmeal and there are 3 adults in my apartment), it is easily adjustable by tasting as needed. For a single serving, try half an apple and eat the other half as a side or simply have oatmeal with your apples and cook the whole thing. You can also cook up a batch of apples ready for microwaving the next day!
Whichever method you prefer remember to adjust to your own preferences. Experiment. Find just the right spice combination for yourself. Leave home with a fire in your belly, ready to face the day.
Ingredients:
- 6 servings of oatmeal, cooked per package
- 2 Apples, diced
- 1/2 stick butter
- 3 tablespoons of molasses, to taste
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (for the apples)
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- additional cinnamon to taste
- additional molasses to taste
Begin by chopping your apples into bite sized pieces. Melt butter in a frying pan and add apples, cooking until soft, about 5 minutes or more. Once the apples are soft, add your molasses and stir well, coating each piece of apple. Add cinnamon and nutmeg, stirring every few minutes for about 10 minutes or until desired consistency. Add apples to cooked oatmeal, adding additional cinnamon, nutmeg, molasses or anything else you might like to add to oatmeal. Butter and cream are always welcome additions to oatmeal. Enjoy!
