DIY MUESLI MIX

Muesli is one of my favorite cold cereals. It's been one of my go-to breakfasts for the last few months, next to this Vanilla Chia Pudding with fruit. With the cooler months ahead it's a perfect time to introduce a more cold and summer like oat breakfast leaving the hot oatmeal, like this Everyday Oatmeal, for cooler seasons. It's a no-fuss, gluten free muesli mix that's so easy to throw together. I used a large 1/2 gallon ball jar like these in a batch or this one from Target which are perfect for your large batch muesli mix and even have cup lines on the side so you can measure without having to use measuring cups. Once you've made your muesli, it's pretty enough to keep on the kitchen counter or store in the pantry if you prefer. Now you've got yourself a ready-made healthy breakfast or lunch if you will. I love the addition of fresh berries and dried mulberries if I have them on hand for extra flavor and freshness. If you feel you need to sweeten your cereal a bit, add a teaspoon or so of maple syrup or coconut nectar over top before serving. For even more flavor add a dash of cinnamon over top too, its delicious! Change up the ingredients by using shredded or flaked coconut, cranberries, chopped dates, cherries or apricots, slivered almonds, pistachios, etc. You get the idea. Use whatever flavor combination works for you using the suggested ratio I have in the notes. I hope this inspires you to make a batch of this wholesome goodness and enjoy often, it's a perfect way to start the day!  

I use only rolled oats in my muesli making it easily accessible, economical and gluten free. I'll add in goji berries, currants and dried blueberries for my fruits. It's preferable to use unsweetened fruits but if one of your choices is sweetened, like my dried organic blueberriesif you, I think we'll be fine! You can also use raisins, cranberries, chopped dates, cherries, apricots, etc.

For the seeds, I like pepitas (pumpkin seeds) and raw sunflower seeds. Feel free to use slivered/chopped almonds or any nuts and seeds you prefer. I tend to stay away from the smaller ingredients in a large batch like this just because they most likely will end up on the bottom of the jar. Try to stick with ingredients that are about the same size to help keep them evenly distributed. If you want to add smaller ingredients like hemp or chia seeds, just sprinkle some on top before eating. 

Once you've made your batch of muesli, you're ready to pour and serve with or without toppings.

Prepare your muesli one of two ways:

Above is overnight muesli. It's easy to prepare. Simply fill your jar, cover and keep in the refrigerator until ready to eat, at least 4 hours and up to 3 days. Makes for a great take along breakfast, snack or lunch!

Below is pour and serve, eating after 5 minutes or so of letting the milk soak into the oats softening them just a bit. 

Both ways are terrific and have their place in your healthy habit meal routine!

I use unsweetened almond milk and add fresh berries along with a few dried mulberries. I sometimes add a drizzle of maple syrup if I want a little sweetness. And if I remember, I'll add a dash of cinnamon or ground vanilla bean for a little extra flavor. I love all the flavors combined and suggest trying it for yourself. I think you'll love it too!

DIY MUESLI MIX

Ingredients

• 5 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
• 1/3 cup raisins or currants
• 1/3 cup dried blueberries
• 1/3 cup goji berries

Place ingredients in your large jar, attach the lid and shake, twist and roll until evenly distributed. If using a large bowl, stir mixture and add to container of choice.

When ready to serve, add 1/2 - 3/4 cup of muesli to your bowl, add enough milk to cover and let set for about 5 minutes or so until the oats soften a bit. Add a little sweetener of choice (I use a drizzle of maple syrup) and some fresh berries such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries. Sliced strawberries and/or bananas would also be great. If you have some dried mulberries on hand, throw some in they taste great! When ready to eat, add a little extra milk as you like. Once you've made this a few times, you'll find your perfect way.

To make overnight muesli, add about 3/4 cup muesli to a jar/bowl, top with fruits of choice if you like and cover with milk. Seal or cover and keep in the refrigerator overnight or up to 3 days (make a few so they're ready to grab and enjoy or take along). Mix before eating, add a little extra milk as needed (if at all).

Makes about 7 cups serving approx. 9 - 14.

Notes: 

Feel free to add 1/2 cup of flaked or shredded coconut. You can change up the dried fruit by adding dried cranberries, chopped dates, cherries or apricots etc. Add any nuts and seeds you prefer. Slivered almonds are great in the mix. Mix and match as you like making this your own!

If you're not going to top with any fresh fruit, feel free to add in another 1/2 cup or so of dried fruit of choice.

Suggested ratio:

5 cups rolled oats

1 cup mixed nuts & seeds

1 cup mixed dried fruit (pref. unsweetened varieties)

I'd love to see your masterpieces!

#thesimpleveganista

EVERYDAY OATMEAL

Today I share with you my go-to oatmeal. It's quick and flavorful! On its own, oatmeal is nothing to get excited about. It needs help with warm spices, sweet and/or tart fruits and some crunchy nuts & seeds. Add a drizzle of pure maple syrup and splash of almond milk for the perfect finishing touch. I love oatmeal all year long, but during the fall\winter I especially eat this on a regular basis. It warms me up, fills that morning hunger, supplies me with good carbohydrates and keeps me going for a good part of the day. 

My everyday oatmeal always consists of cinnamon, cardamom, maple syrup and almond milk...these are the essential flavor boosters. The rest of the ingredients will be mixed and matched depending on what I have on hand.

Cinnamon and cardamom are warming spices and both hold health benefits. They are delicious together and will add a ton of flavor to plain oatmeal!

Pure maple syrup is my sweetener of choice and contains a good dose of manganese and zinc.

For the milk, I use unsweetened almond milk but you can use your favorite non-dairy milk. Most non-dairy milks are low in calories, fat and are fortified with important vitamins and minerals (even more so than dairy milk) like calcium, vitamin D, B-12 and E, manganese, potassium, copper and selenium.

The oats can be whatever you prefer. Lately I've been using quick oats, it's what I've been baking with and have tons on hand. You can use rolled or steel cut oats too, just cook according to the package directions.

I usually always add in some sort of fruit, whether dry or not. Usually its dried fruit since I always have some on hand in the pantry or refrigerator. I prefer unsweetened dried fruit like raisins, currants, barberries, blueberries and cranberries. Chopped dates, apricots and cherries are also great. I'm loving the addition of the barberries I picked up awhile back, they add a tartness contrasting the sweetness of the other dried fruits. I've come to learn that barberries are higher in anti-oxidants than dried blueberries, cranberries, goji berries and even pomegranates! These little tart fruits can be found in Middle Eastern grocery stores (you can also order them online) and hold up well in the pantry or refrigerator. When using fresh fruits, I may use blueberries, sliced bananas or apples.

The addition of nuts & seeds will add protein and a nice crunch. Many nuts & seeds contain essential omegas that are heart healthy making them another good reason to add a small handful. You can use any combo of walnuts, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), almonds, hemp hearts, chia seeds and pecans.

It's the perfect everyday oatmeal to get me going, or end my day! Sometimes I have oatmeal for dinner. ♥

EVERYDAY OATMEAL

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup quick oats 
• 1 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk, divided
• 1 - 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1/4 heaping teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon cardamom
• small handful mixed nuts (I used walnuts and pepitas)
• small handful dried or fresh fruit ( I used currants and barberries)

Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir in 3/4 cup oats, reduce heat to medium and cook for 1 1/2 minutes. Add 1/4 cup milk and cook another 30 seconds. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes. 

Place oatmeal in your serving bowl, top with cinnamon, cardamom, nuts, seeds and berries. Drizzle maple syrup over top and some of the remaining milk. Give a good stir and enjoy!

It tastes great with a morning cup of coffee, green tea or lemon water.

Notes: 

Give or take on both the oatmeal and water when cooking, using more or less as needed.

Use rolled or steel cut oats if you prefer, cook according to package instructions. 

If you don't like the flavor of maple, use coconut nectar or pure cane brown sugar. 

Dried fruits you might like to use...cranberries, blueberries, goji berries, raisins, currants, barberries, chopped dates, apricots and cherries. Fresh fruits can be blueberries, apples and bananas.

Nuts and seeds you might like to use are almonds, walnuts, pecans, pepitas, hemp hearts and chia seeds. 

APPLE, FENNEL + SAGE LENTIL LOAF

It's been two years since my last lentil loaf recipe. I thought this time I'd create something with a whole new flavor profile. I love this flavor combination and think it's a perfect fall/winter loaf or one you can rotate for variation all year long. All the flavors come through making every bite just as good as the last! A little sweetness from the apple, it's not overpowering at all. The fennel and sage are a perfect pairing of herbs. The walnuts give a little extra texture. I've kept the glaze super simple with just organic ketchup, apple cider vinegar and pure maple syrup. The glaze is tangy which is a nice contrast to the other flavors. Simple worked great here (at least I think so). I'd love to know what you think! I've adapted this new lentil loaf from my other one, The Ultimate Vegetable Lentil Loaf, which was a big hit, it's a great all-around loaf and I hope you all find this new one just as delicious!

A note on the fennel seeds. In case you're wondering what to do with your fennel seeds, I've used them in a few recipes like this Cannellini Bean & Fennel Flatbread, Mushroom and Buckwheat Soup and the Rustic Cabbage, Potato & White Bean Soup. If they are new to your pantry, you can purchase them knowing you can use them in other recipes. I love the flavor they give in each of these recipes!

Cook your lentils, let set for about 15 minutes, most of the liquid should be absorbed. Mash or puree about 3/4 of the mixture. You should be able to easily mash the lentils with a back of a fork.



While you're working on the lentils, prepare your vegetables and apple and saute with herbs.



Once everything is mixed, pack mixture into a 9 x 5 loaf pan. Spread glaze over top and bake.

Remove from oven and let cool. You may like to add a fresh layer of glaze over top like I have in the first picture.

APPLE, FENNEL + SAGE LENTIL LOAF

Ingredients

• 1 cup green/brown lentils, rinsed
• 2 1/4 cups vegetable broth or water
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small onion, diced (about 1 1/4 cup)
• 2 celery stalks, diced (about 1 cup)
• 2 carrots, diced or grated (about 1 cup)
• 1 small apple, cored, peeled and diced or grated (use firm crisp like fuji or gala) (about 1 cup)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fennel seeds, use whole or lightly crushed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sage or 2 tablespoons fresh minced
• 3/4 cup oats, quick or rolled (I used quick) or bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup flour (splet, almond, oat, GF all-purpose, etc.)
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup unsweetened organic apple sauce
• 3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts, optional
• salt & pepper to taste (I used white pepper)

Glaze

• 6 tablespoons organic ketchup
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

Cook lentils: In a dutch oven or large pot, add vegetable broth and lentils, bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 40 - 45 minutes, most to all liquid should be absorbed. Lentils should be overcooked and tender. Set aside to cool, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Mash lentils with the back of a spoon or fork, or roughly puree using an immersion blender or food processor, about 2/3 - 3/4 of the lentil mixture.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Toast walnuts: Spread walnuts on a small rimmed baking pan, place in oven and toast until they are fragrant, about 10 -15 minutes. Set aside to cool..

Prepare vegetables and apple: Heat oil in a medium size pan over medium heat, add onion, celery and carrot, saute for about 5 minutes. Add apple, fennel, sage salt & pepper, heat for another 3 - 4 minutes.

Combine everything: Add the sauteed mixture with the lentils and mix. Add flour, oats, walnuts and 1/2 cup apple sauce, mix well to combine. If mixture seems to dry, add a little more apple sauce, mix again. Taste for seasoning adding extra herbs, salt and pepper as needed. 

Line a 9 x 5 loaf pan with parchment paper, (this will make for easy removal later), add mixture and press down gently but firmly filling in along the edges as well. 

Make glaze: In small bowl, mix together the glaze and spread over top lentil loaf as evenly as you can. Here you can even add a fresh sage leaf in the center of the loaf, it won't burn, it may roll a bit on the edges, and will add a nice decoration (the sage leaf I have shown was fresh). 

Bake: Place loaf in oven, on middle rack, and bake for 45 - 50 minutes. Remove from oven, let cool 10 minutes, remove from pan using the edges of the parchment paper. You may like to mix a bit more sauce and spread over top. Place loaf on serving dish, cut and serve individual slices.

Serving suggestions: Serve with roasted or mashed potatoes, or potato & cauliflower mash, a side of green beans or any combo of roasted brussels sprouts, carrots, butternut squash and beets. A simple fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette is also a great side! Left overs make for great sandwiches!

Makes 8 slices. 

Notes:

If you don't use a good vegetable broth while cooking the lentils, I recommend add in 1/2 teaspoon of onion and garlic powder, along with a big pinch of salt. The lentils are the base of the recipe and should have good flavor.

If mixture is too wet, add a tad more flour or oats/bread crumbs. If mixture is too dry, add a tad more apple sauce.

I've used both oats and bread crumbs. Both were great. I didn't notice that the oat flavor came through at all (or maybe I'm just adapted to them).

I don't recommend reheating the entire loaf at once. It will most likely become too dry, as the heat will take to long to reach the center. I recommend cutting slices and reheating, this way. If you need, you can make your lentil loaf the day before and store uncooked until ready to heat, bring to room temperature if possible, and heat according to instructions above.

If you love fennel and sage, by all means add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of each! Or an extra tablespoon of fresh minced sage.

Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal Pudding Cake

Oatmeal is pretty standard breakfast fare around my house, but it's usually simply cooked on a stove-top and served plain with a little milk, maple syrup and some berries. But I do enjoy going the extra step once in a while to make a baked oatmeal pudding, and with plenty of pumpkin purée in the freezer, it was an easy choice to go with a baked pumpkin oatmeal with all the pie spices that fill the kitchen with delicious aromas.

Soft, creamy and chewy, this oatmeal pudding comes out of the oven like a flour-less coffee cake, and is as nourishing as it is simple to put together. Soaking rolled oats in plain good quality whole fat yogurt overnight before baking breaks down the grain's complex proteins into easily digestible components and results in a delightful spongey and almost custardy texture in the finished cake. And, of course, there's pumpkin and some toasted pecans… It's not too sweet, either, sweetened with just a quarter cup of maple syrup, but you can make it a sweeter dessert pudding cake by increasing the maple syrup to a half cup. You can use canned pumpkin easily as long as it is not the already spiced and sweetened pumpkin pie filling.

Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal Pudding Cake

Recipe by Lisa Turner Published on November 13, 2014 Simple, soft, creamy and healthy baked flour-less oatmeal pudding cake with pumpkin and spices Print this recipe Ingredients: 2 cups rolled oats 1 cup plain whole fat or Greek yogurt 1/2 cup pecans (optional) 1 cup pumpkin purée 3/4 cup almond milk or whole milk 1/4 to 1/2 cup maple syrup, to taste 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice or cloves pinch of sea salt Instructions: Combine the oats and yogurt in a large glass or ceramic bowl. Cover with a clean dish towel and let stand overnight at room temperature. If using pecans, toast on an ungreased baking sheet at 350° for 5 minutes or until fragrant and slightly darkened. Butter or oil an 8 × 8 inch baking pan and preheat an oven to 350°. Add the pumpkin purée, milk and vanilla to the oat and yogurt mixture and stir to blend. Add the spices, salt and pecans if using and stir until everything is well combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until set and lightly browned on the top. Let cool for 5 minutes then serve warm, garnished with extra toasted pecans or drizzled cream or maple syrup on top if desired. Reheat leftovers in aluminum foil at 300° for 6 to 8 minutes. Makes 6 servings

More autumn delights from Lisa's Kitchen:
Apple-Oatmeal Breakfast Streusel Cake
Homemade Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Energy Bites
Pumpkin Scones
Spiced Pumpkin Waffles

On the top of the reading stack: various cookbooks

Audio Accompaniment: country silence

PEANUT BUTTER & BANANA GRANOLA SNACK CLUSTERS

I have some granola inspiration to share with you today! While at the store a few weeks ago, I saw a package of granola from La Brea Bakery and loved that it had big chunks. I set out to recreate that in my kitchen. Initially I wanted to make a mixed fruit granola, but seeing that I had some very ripe bananas that needed to be used up I thought I'd put them into a granola with a nut butter instead. We'll save the fruit granola for another time. This combination turned out great. Not too sweet, chunky like I wanted and the nut butter will add a good amount of protein. This is a perfect snacking granola! Great to have on hand at home or pack some up and take it with on the go. You can also break it up a bit more and top it on non-dairy ice cream or yogurt. You may even like to fill a bowl full, add some milk and enjoy. However you like your granola, this will be a great addition to your granola addiction!

I used almond butter here but you can use any natural nut butter you like. The bananas, the riper the better...the more ripe they are the sweeter they'll be.

Mix your wet and dry ingredients...



Spread on 1 extra large baking sheet or 2 smaller ones. In the picture above I spread the granola close together. I did one sheet this way and another loosely spread out (first photo). Both batches worked great but the loosely spread granola baked a little faster.



Once cooled and broken up, you're ready to enjoy!

PEANUT BUTTER & BANANA GRANOLA SNACK CLUSTERS

Ingredients

• 4 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup almonds
• 1/2 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 3/4 cup almond or peanut butter (I used crunchy almond butter)
• 2 small ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
• 2/3 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, optional
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

In a large bowl, mix together the oats, almonds, pepitas, cinnamon and salt.

Warm your coconut oil and maple syrup, combine with vanilla extract. Mash your bananas and measure your nut butter. Combine the wet ingredients with the oat mixture. Toss and mix to coat well.

Spread mixture evenly on a lined or lightly greased baking sheet (I used two baking sheets). You can either lightly compact the mixture or loosely spread it out a bit. If compacting, you'll want to mix the granola when rotating after 30 minutes.

Bake for 30 minutes. Turn and rotate sheet/sheets, bake an additional 25 - 30 minutes. Keep an eye towards the end so it doesn't over brown (ovens run differently). Remove from oven, granola will be somewhat soft at first. Let cool for 15 minutes, break up into chunks, especially the center part if you've compacted the mixture. Let granola cool completely to harden.

Notes:

Change up the nuts using peanuts, walnuts or pecan pieces. Use sunflower seeds in place of the pepitas.

You will most likely do just as well without any oil. If you'd like to reduce the oil, try using only 2 tablespoons. I like the flavor and addition of the coconut oil for myself.

Once cooled, if you still find your granola to not be as crunchy as you might like, bake again at 300 degrees for about 10 minutes, keep an eye so it doesn't over brown.

This granola needs to cook low and slow. My first batch I baked at 325 degrees F. for 40 minutes but it still needed extra baking time after cooling to become crunchy. I lowered the temp and added a bit more time. Be sure to watch it towards the end so it doesn't become burnt, especially if you've spread it loosely on the baking sheet.

The 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon gives a very subtle flavor, add another 1/2 teaspoon for a more enhanced cinnamon flavor.

If you happen to have both rolled and quick oats on hand, try using 2 - 3 cups rolled oats and 1 -2 cups of quick oats (use whatever combo equals 4 cups with at least 2 cups rolled oats). This will also help to make nice clusters.

Enjoy!

Baked Cherry Oatmeal Dessert Puddings

It's amazing how cooking in ramekins can turn a fairly ordinary recipe into something that looks gourmet. That's just what I did with a baked cherry oatmeal breakfast pudding that I enjoyed recently, turning them into these gorgeous soft and spongy cherry and oatmeal dessert puddings with a few tweaks like marinating the cherries in balsamic vinegar to deepen their flavor. They were also an excuse to use up some the bags of fresh sweet cherries that somehow keep arriving at my house.

The aroma of cherries and almond essence baking in the kitchen will make anyone want to get right to the dessert course, but these elegant little puddings are not too sweet at all and healthy enough to eat for breakfast if you have any left over.

Baked Cherry Oatmeal Dessert Puddings

Recipe by Lisa Turner Published on August 6, 2014 Soft, spongy and healthy oatmeal dessert puddings baked with balsamic-marinated sweet cherries Print this recipe Ingredients: 3/4 cup rolled oats 1 cup plain Greek yogurt 1 cup fresh sweet cherries, pitted and chopped 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup raw almonds, chopped 1 cup almond milk 2 tablespoons maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 1/4 teaspoon baking powder pinch of teaspoon sea salt Instructions: In a large bowl, combine the oats and yogurt. Cover with a clean dish towel and let stand overnight at room temperature. Toss the cherries with the balsamic vinegar and let sit for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, toast the chopped almonds in a dry unoiled skillet over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring or tossing frequently, until lightly browned. Remove from heat and set aside. Generously butter 8 4 oz ramekins and preheat an oven to 350°. In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond milk, maple syrup, vanilla, almond extract, baking powder and salt. Pour the mixture into the oats and stir to combine. Scatter half the cherries between the ramekins. Gently spoon 1/3 cup of the oat mixture in each ramekin and scatter the remaining cherries over the top. Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes or until the top is browned and the pudding is slightly set (it will finish setting while it's cooling, but it should not be too liquid-y either). Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes. Scatter the toasted almonds over the puddings and serve warm. Makes 8 servings

More pudding ideas you will enjoy:
Lemon Sponge Pudding
Cherry Pudding Cake
Cherry Clafouti
Chia Seed Pudding

On the top of the reading stack: Vegan for Fun: Modern Vegetarian Cuisine by Attila Hildmann

Audio Accompaniment: Talk Talk - Wealth

Baked Cherry Oatmeal Pudding

Fresh sweet wine-red summer cherries might be my favorite snacking fruit, which can make pitting enough of them to get past my mouth and into a recipe an uncertain exercise — always better to have far too many on hand, at least in my house. But when they do survive long enough to be put into something like this oatmeal pudding, the results are extraordinary — baking cherries elevates their sweet taste and, combined with the essence of almonds, fills your kitchen with heavenly aromas.

This recipe is a remix of a baked apple-blueberry oatmeal breakfast pudding that scored a huge hit with me and my husband a little while ago, and if anything this proved to be an even greater success. The process of soaking oats overnight in yogurt not only breaks down the grain's complex proteins into easily digestible components, in addition the results bake into a soft and creamy spongey pudding that can be eaten as a dessert or for breakfast.

Baked Cherry Oatmeal Pudding

Recipe by Lisa Turner Published on July 18, 2014 A simple and healthy soft spongey pudding made with baked oatmeal and fresh sweet cherries Print this recipe Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups rolled oats 2 cups whole fat plain yogurt 1/2 cup coconut (or brown) sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 2 cups whole milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon almond extract 2 cups fresh sweet cherries, pitted and halved Instructions: In a large bowl, combine the oats and yogurt. Cover with a clean dish towel and let stand overnight at room temperature. Generously butter a 9 × 9 ceramic or glass baking or casserole dish. Preheat an oven to 350°. In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Gradually whisk in the milk, vanilla and almond extract until combined. Pour the mixture into the oats and stir to combine. Scatter half the cherries in the baking dish, and gently spoon in the oat mixture. Scatter the remaining cherries over the top, and bake uncovered for 50 to 60 minutes or until the top is browned and the pudding is slightly set (it will finish setting while it's cooling, but it should not be too liquid-y either). Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes. Serve warm with whipped cream, toasted slivered almonds, or by itself. Makes 6 servings

Other ideas from Lisa's Kitchen:
Baked Apple-Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Pudding
Apple-Oatmeal Breakfast Streusel Cake
Cherry Vanilla Ricotta Muffins

On the top of the reading stack: Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie

Audio Accompaniment: sweet silence

Peanut Butter Oatmeal

Lately I've been craving peanut butter — a lot! Almost every day and all day, it seems. I don't know whether my body is telling to fill up on proteins after stirring from the long winter slumber, but fortunately peanut butter is a delicious way to get protein.

Inspired both by the craving itself and by the recent success of adding peanut butter to rice cooking water for a simple and tasty side dish, this quick and easy oatmeal is cooked in coconut milk and water with natural peanut butter and a little cinnamon and nutmeg. The result is a warm, creamy and wonderfully "peanutty" porridge that adds a little protein kick to your breakfast to help start the day.

Do try it, you'll be pleased with how easy and tasty it is — and a little more filling than the usual oatmeal porridge. Use smooth or crunchy natural peanut butter, but the crunchy peanut butter gives the oatmeal a nice contrast in textures.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal

Recipe by Lisa Turner Published on June 6, 2014 Quick and easy oatmeal porridge for two cooked with peanut butter for a tasty protein boost Print this recipe Oats: 1 cup rolled or steel-cut oats 1 cup water Other ingredients: 3/4 cup coconut milk 1/2 cup water 1/3 cup natural peanut butter 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon pinch of ground nutmeg pinch of sea salt 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1 to 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional) Instructions: Combine the oats and 1 cup of water in a small glass or ceramic bowl. Let stand overnight at room temperature. Combine the coconut milk, 1/2 cup of water, peanut butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a low boil over medium heat, stirring to incorporate the peanut butter into the water. As soon as the water is boiling, stir in the oats and vanilla, and immediately turn the heat down to low. Cook, stirring constantly, until the oatmeal has thickened to your liking. Add more water as necessary. If using honey or maple syrup, stir in right before taking the oatmeal off the stove. Serve hot as is, or with raisins, diced apples or nuts. Makes 2 servings

Other oatmeal porridge ideas:
Chai Spice Oatmeal
Lemon Curd Oatmeal
Oat Porridge for Two
Oat Porridge and Fruit

On the top of the reading stack: Dead Souls by Gogol (it's a lengthy read but worth every hour invested)

Audio Accompaniment: the washing machine