Growing up, my elementary school was across from my grandmother’s apartment. On days when it was too cold to walk home, I would go to her apartment until my mom could pick me up after work. She’d always make me a snack, but it’d be something simple like peanut butter spread on saltine crackers. It sounds dull, but I loved it.
Along with the snack, she’d also have juice for me. I always thought her juice selections were strange and “grandma-ish,” like cranberry or cran-apple. For some reason, though, drinking it at my grandma’s house while I watched Arthur on PBS made it seem special, even if it wasn’t my favorite.
That’s what I thought of as I prepared this oatmeal. And while I took pictures of it. And while I ate it.
…And then I started craving peanut butter and saltine crackers. š
What you'll need:
- 1 cup milk of choice, or water
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (I use Country Choice Organic)
- large handful of dried cranberries
- 1 small red apple
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- pinch of salt
How to make it:
- Bring milk (I use an equal mixture of almond milk and water) to a boil, add oats, and reduce heat to medium. (If you'd like to add flax or chia seeds, do so now.)
- Add dried cranberries (I minced mine first, but you don't have to).
- Dice apple and add.
- Once more of the liquid has absorbed, add vanilla extract, lemon juice, a tiny pinch of salt, and cinnamon. Stir.
- If you'd like to add any extra ingredients (coconut oil, dried fruit, nuts, sunflower seeds), do so now. I also added vanilla almond yogurt to make mine creamier.
- When you're pleased with the consistency of the oatmeal, transfer to a bowl. Serve with another splash of your milk of choice and some more dried cranberries (or cranberry sauce!).
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