I’ve done so many oatmeal recipes with apples, but I’m just now exploring the concept of using apples as a base like I do with banana. This is thanks to grating. With a grated apple, you get the taste and volume of apple without the chunks. When you dice an apple, those chunks steal the focus of the oatmeal. When you’re making Apple Pie Oatmeal or Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal, that’s a good thing. But sometimes, you want apple in the background. Voila, grating.*
*Or use applesauce, if you insist.
In addition to the grated apple, I spiced the base with my usual cinnamon + vanilla combo. Why? Because it’s classic. It works in the majority of my oatmeal recipes. It’s not me being lazy. It’s me acknowledging what works. And this works. Every time.
I didn’t include this in the recipe, but I topped this oatmeal with Wild Friends Vanilla Espresso Almond Butter and slivered almonds. I bought a few small packets to eat with my bananas while I was traveling in Vancouver, and I intentionally bought more than I thought I would need so I could bring them back and use them with oatmeal. 🙂 Mission accomplished.
And yeah, it was delicious. But that’s obvious, right? I mean, it’s vanilla- and espresso-infused almond butter. How could it be anything but delicious?!
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Random Recommendations:
- [reads] Check out my latest article on ThoughtCatalog!!!!! “When ‘Minnesota Nice’ Isn’t Actually that Nice” (disclaimer: Midwesterners are REALLY NICE.)
- [tunes] Adele – “Make You Feel My Love” (live)
- [vids] “Come On Over” by Christina Aguilera is STILL one of my favorite music videos 😀 THE COLORS! THE DANCING!
- [eats] The best salad: kale massaged with coconut oil (a little goes a long way!), with sliced strawberries, blueberries, diced apple, diced avocado, and toasted pecans. I made my dressing by mixing tahini sauce + coconut white balsamic vinegar, but I recognize those are obscure ingredients.
What you'll need:
- 3/4 cup milk of choice, or water
- 1/4 cup quick cook steel cut oats
- 1/2 an apple (or the whole thing)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup (or more) fresh blueberries
How to make it:
- Bring milk (I use 1/2 c almond milk and 1/4 c water) to a boil, add oats, and reduce heat to medium. (If you’d like to add a teaspoon of flax or chia seeds, do so now.)
- Cut apple into wedges and grate into the oatmeal. Stir occasionally.
- Once more of the liquid has absorbed, add vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Stir.
- When you’re pleased with the consistency of the oatmeal, carefully fold in a small handful of blueberries.
- Then, transfer to a bowl. Top with more blueberries and another splash of milk. Other possible toppings are nuts, nut butters, other berries, apple slices, raisins or other dried fruits, or coconut flakes.
Just an FYI:
You can sub about 1/3 cup applesauce for the grated apple.
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