I'm an oatmeal fan all year long, but something about the cold weather makes it all even more fitting. I load mine up with lots of spices so it has an extra layer of warmth and comfort. On this particular morning I was excited to use my first can of pumpkin puree of the season. Monumental! I scooped that right into my typical oats recipe, made a quick stewed pear and prune situation to top it off and I knew it would marry beautifully. Pumpkin, pears, prunes, they even sound good together.
Here's a cozy fall breakfast idea for you highlighting these 3 fantastic plants. Note this was enough to feed me, my husband, and my toddler.
Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats
about 1.5-2 cups liquid, I admittedly do not measure this because you can always add more if you need. I like to use a mix of mainly milk, and some water
1 small mashed banana, optional, I really only added it because it needed to be used but it does add a subtle sweetness
3 Tbsp pureed pumpkin (or any pureed squash)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt
1/8 tsp ground allspice, just a little shake
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 small pear, diced
5 prunes, chopped
1 tbsp maple syrup
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Topping Options:
chopped walnuts (or any nut)
pumpkin seeds
hemp seeds
chia seeds
maple syrup
granola
Directions
Add oats to a small pot, and toast on medium heat for a few minutes if you have them. Otherwise, add your liquids, vanilla, and spices immediately. Add the pumpkin puree and mashed banana and give it a good stir. Cook on medium, stirring occasionally, for about 5-10 minutes until the oats are soft and creamy. Add more spices to taste if you prefer. If you have to walk away from the pot, cook on a lower heat for about 10-15 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small skillet, add the fruit, syrup, spices, and about 3-4 tbsp of water. Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Add more water if you need. Note a little squeeze of orange juice would also be nice here. The prunes soak up some of the liquid and get softer, while the pears cook down and soften as well. You can cook this for a little or as long as you'd like since none of the ingredients are inedible raw.
When everything is done and you're ready to eat, scoop your oatmeal into a bowl and top with a generous spoonful of the spiced stewed fruit. I like to drizzle with more maple syrup and top with hemp seeds, chia seeds, and chopped walnuts. The toppings are really up to you, but the nuts and seeds add a great crunch.
Good Morning!
-olivia
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