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Thursday, January 29, 2015

Oatmeal favorites...in honor of National Oatmeal Month

HOWDY!  I hope this beautiful January day finds you all smiling and counting your blessings.

January is National Oatmeal month, and although I'm running a little late with this, I thought I'd post links for some of my favorite oatmeal recipes, just for fun.

photo credit:  Leslie Maltz

And...if you have a minute, I'd love to hear what your favorite oatmeal recipes are! Please share!!

Anyway...here goes...

OATMEAL RECIPE #1:
My very favorite oatmeal recipe is one I've never posted...it's just regular old-fashioned oatmeal (NOT the instant or quick-cooking type), cooked on the stovetop (according to the package directions).  I like to toss in some dried fruit when I add the oats.  You can use any kind, but my favorites are dried cherries, cranberries or apricots.  Then when it's ready, I just stir in a little fat-free half & half (or some real whipping cream, when I really want to splurge), and gobble it up.  (The fruit has plenty of sugar, so I never add any extra.)

Sometimes I like to toss some diced apples (or pears) with a little butter, cinnamon & sugar in a skillet while the oatmeal is cooking.  (I never measure this stuff...I just put some of each until it looks right.  I also prefer unpeeled apples for more nutrition, fiber & flavor.  You can cut them whatever size/shape you prefer.)  If you have the apples diced before you start the oatmeal, they should both be done about the same time.  Then I just stir them together and enjoy.  (This way is good with or without the half & half or cream.)

I really can't imagine why anyone would use that instant flavored stuff when you can have this yummy, good stuff instead.  AND...you can control the amount of sugar, etc. that you're adding.  QUICK & EASY, and a great way to get your morning off to a good start!

OATMEAL RECIPE #2:
Blackberry-Fig Baked Oatmeal
This is one I came up with after finding Ann Fulton's yummy recipe for Peach-Swirl Baked Oatmeal over at The Fountain Avenue Kitchen.  If you haven't checked out her blog, do it TODAY!  It's got all kinds of great recipes you'll definitely want to try.


The neufchรขtel cheese and the broiled topping are amazing...and this recipe lends itself well to just about any fruit.  Go ahead...try it with your favorite, and let me know what you think!  (And be sure to let Ann know you liked it too!)

OATMEAL RECIPE #3:
Cran-Apple Oatmeal Muffins
This is another adapted recipe.  I found the original in an old cookbook I have, and just made a few adjustments for fun.  Again, this one can be further adapted to use whatever fruit you might like.

OATMEAL RECIPE #4:
Faithy's Favorite Apple-Pecan Muffins
After MUCH searching for a really good apple muffin...this has become one of my very favorites!

OATMEAL RECIPE #5:
Blueberry Oatmeal Bread
When I first posted this one, I based my recipe on one I had found it over on Audra's Once a Mom Always a Cook blog site.  Since then, she has joined her sister Ashley over on their new Cherished Bliss blog site.   Check it out!  It's got lots of great stuff.  (You can find the re-posted original recipe here.)

OATMEAL RECIPE #6:
Oatmeal Brittle
This is a quick, easy and fun recipe that I like to make during the holiday season.  It's a delicious crispy treat (so good that you might not want to share it)!

I found the original recipe over at Anna's Cookie Madness blog site.  She's got lots of great recipes for yummy treats, so why don't you treat yourself by stopping by. 

Okay...gotta run, so that's all for now.  Be sure to try one of these recipes or share one of your oatmeal favorites with me in honor of National Oatmeal Month!

Blessings,
--Faithy