By Chris , January 3, 2020

It wasn’t until I was in my thirties , that I started eating oatmeal. Growing up in an Italian family, it wasn’t something my mom had really ever eaten so she didn’t expose us to it either. (expose us.. like its something we were protected from lol). When I did try it for the first time, it was just straight up plain oatmeal. Theres nothing wrong with that , if that’s what you like. I however want the bells and whistles . I want fruit, I want nuts, or a drizzle of maple syrup….you get the idea. Pizzazz. I want Oatmeal with pizzazz.

I came up with this recipe the other morning on the fly . My husband and I had gotten up early, and were having our morning coffee together and I started getting hungry. I thought hmm.. what about oatmeal? ok. sure, but what am i going to do with it.. I took a quick peek in my cupboard to get inspiration and thats how Quick & Easy oatmeal for Two was made. Crunchy pecans, Sweet , tart and chewy dried cranberries, diced granny smith apple and a drizzle of hot peanutbutter . How can you go wrong?! you cant! it was a hit . We both loved it soo much and it took all of about 20 minutes to make.

Here’s how i did it…

I combined a 1/2 cup of steel cut oats , 1 1/2 cups of water and a pich of salt to a small saucepan. I really like the bit of chewy texture you get from the steel cut oats, but feel free to use whichever type you prefer.

While the oatmeal is cooking I prep my other ingredients . That way everything is ready to be added once the oatmeal is finished, as the whole process really goes rather quickly.

I have here a quarter cup of dried cranberries and a third cup of rough chopped pecans.I love the tart, yet sweet flavor you get from the cranberries. The crunchy pecans add such great texture and flavor to this quick and easy oatmeal.
A grannysmith apple diced small, adds the perfect amount of fresh crunch . I like the acidity you get from the apple, It really balances out the denseness of the oatmeal.
Last but not least..smooth , creamy peanut butter. I microwave it for about 20 seconds. Just enough to warm it and make it pourable. It realy does add a layer of decadence to this dish ,and a little goes a long way!

Recipe

Quick & Easy Oatmeal for Two

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup of steel cut oats
  • 1 1/2 cups of water
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/4 cup of dried cranberries
  • 1/3 cup of pecan halves roughly chopped
  • 1 small grannysmith apple diced small
  • 1/4 cup of creamy peanut butter

Directions:

Add half a cup of steel cut oats, a pinch of salt and one and a half cups of water to a small saucepan. Set the heat to low. it will take about 15-20 minutes to cook. Stir every now and then. While oats are cooking prep your other ingredients. Rough chop the pecans and mix with the dried cranberries and set aside. Dice up the apple into small pieces . When the oatmeal is done cooking , divide into two bowls. Top with the dried cranberries, diced apples and pecans. Microwave the peanut butter for 20 seconds and drizzle over both bowls. Viola! quick and easy oatmeal for two.

Notes:

  • Any varity of oats can be used . It will all work with this recipe.
  • Dried apricots would be lovely in this.
  • Fresh fruit always works well with oatmeal. Hey.. why not try a combo of fresh and dried fruits?
  • Walnuts, slivered almonds.. just about any type of nut will work.
  • This recipe is very adaptable, you can switch out the toppings for what ever you like. The key is to add a variety of textures and flavors.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and get creative with it!

Thanks,

Chris