So here I am at home on a Monday, nothing major to accomplish, and nowhere to go (the Metro is closed). It's just like snopocolypse/snomageddon/snoverkill of 2010!
What happens when you're stuck at home? TV! Reading! FOOD!!! It recently came to my attention that SpeedyKate has never experienced Pumpkin Oatmeal. Which means there are probably a lot of people out there who have not experienced the hot and flavorful pumpkin-y goodness that is this breakfast (/lunch/anytime) meal.
It's like a hot satisfying bowl of pumpkin pie. Oh wait, that sounds weird...but trust me it's good! And adding pumpkin is SO HEALHY! It's a vegetable, with a billion times your recommended vitamin A (that's an exaggeration, but close enough), vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants. Basically, this is SUPER OATMEAL!
SpeedyKate just made what can best be described as a vat of pumpkin oatmeal. We ate some, and the rest is now tupper-wared and frozen, ready as an easy to-go breakfast for those days that a morning run goes too long/picking out clothing takes too much time/oversleeping that necessitate bringing breakfast to work.
We have decided that oatmeal is like eggs but more extreme -- as in, everyone is very particular about how they like it. Thick or soupy or chewy or mushy? For this reason, I am not going to tell you how to cook your oats (I like mine on the mushy well-cooked side, a bit soupy but definitely not watery). But I will tell you what to put in them!
The first time I made pumpkin oatmeal I didn't like it at all -- turns out I didn't add enough sugar, so it just tasted squash-y. If something seems not so delish, I recommend adding more sweetness.
Pumpkin Oatmeal
Serves: 2 (multiply times however many servings you want)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Trader Joe's Multigrain Hot Cereal (a mix of rye, barley, oats, and wheat), or old-fashioned oats
- 2 cups water (approximately)
- 4 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 2-3 teaspoons sugar (brown or white)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ginger
- dash of cloves
- dash of allspice
- dash of salt
- 1/4 cup raisins (optional)
Directions:
- Prepare your oatmeal as you normally would, either on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- When your oatmeal is almost done, add in pumpkin, spices, and salt.
- Add in sugar and taste -- you may need to add more sugar, depending on your preference.
- Add in raisins and enjoy with a hot cup of coffee!
See? SO EASY!
