Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Oatmeal with Shredded Apple and Maple Syrup

Oatmeal with Shredded Apple and Maple Syrup

I've been quiet lately.  My meals have been focused and healthy.  I've been playing around with some of my favourite recipes by cutting out excess oil and sugar.   This morning I had a craving for oatmeal but the way I usually eat it, drowning in maple syrup and soy milk, was not going to cut it.  In Canada at this time of year there's not a lot of fresh, seasonal fruit.  Apples are plentiful though!   I decided to grate an entire apple and add it to the oatmeal to satisfy my sweet-tooth.  I couldn't resist a touch of maple syrup and then sprinkled some cinnamon on top.  I'm really happy with my little experiment.  The sweet crunch of the apple added a nice contrast in texture to the oatmeal.

1/2 cup rolled oats
1 to 1 1/4 cups water
1 apple grated
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon (or to taste)
1 tablespoon maple syrup
soymilk or other non-dairy milk to taste

In a small sauce pan, cook the oatmeal in water for about 3 to 5 minutes.   Remove from the heat, stir in the grated apple and top with cinnamon, maple syrup and soymilk if using.   Enjoy your hearty, healthy breakfast!

10 comments:

  1. It sounds wonderfully hearty and delicious. Lee, Does the apple get partially cooked or at least hot? I can see cooking the apple with the oatmeal as I liked cooked apples in hot foods.

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  2. The way I did it, the apple didn't really get cooked. I thought about adding it to the pot while the oatmeal was cooking but I was too late this time. I'll try it the other way and let you know if it's just as tasty.

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  3. This one is on the menu for tomorrow morning! Yum!

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  4. Thanks, Lee. I think I'd enjoy it both ways but maybe better with the cooked apple. I'd like to know your preference when you've tried it the other way.

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  5. Sounds good. I've been on a cream of wheat kick lately, but oatmeal would be a nice welcomed change.

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  6. I like my oatmeal "drowned" as you've described it, so I tend to give it up entirely when I'm trying to avoid the sugared part; but I really like the idea of a grated apple, especially with the contrast in texture. I bet everyone would have their own "perfect moment" at which to toss those apple bits in, softening (or not) as suits! Thanks for the idea!

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  7. I'm so glad you all like this idea! Sometimes when I make simple food I think it's not worth blogging about and that's why I've not posted much lately. The apple really does help with the sweetness in a good and natural way. I can't wait to try this with the apple cooked so I can report back.

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  8. Mmm! I like this for breakfast, too. I have sometimes cut up an entire apple and cooked it with some oatmeal, almond milk, and a bit of agave and cinnamon on the stovetop. It is soo yummy! The apple really does help with the sweetness so you don't need much sweetener added. Yay!

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  9. Apple in oatmeal is delicious! I've never had it shredded before but I will definitely try that next time. Another way to add some sweetness and flavor without adding sugar is using strong tea (like a chai) instead of water. It gives flavor like those packaged oatmeal without all the unwanted stuff that comes in the packaged type.

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  10. Cooking oatmeal in tea is an interesting idea. Thanks, Veggie Tales!

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