Strawberry Baked Oatmeal with Chocolate

 

 

Strawberry Baked Oatmeal with Chocolate  Rating: 10

Dessert for breakfast? Yes, please.  This is a real treat, especially with all those ripe, red strawberries this summer. My kids ask for seconds which almost never happens.  It tastes awesome but I am sure they are doing it because they are just that excited that mom has put chocolate chips in their breakfast.

I don't layer it all up like the recipe calls for.  I just put my bananas slices on the bottom of the greased pan and dump all the mixed up dry ingredients on top.  I add about 1/4 cup more strawberries.  Okay, I double it every time and use about 2 1/2 cups or so instead of 2 cups.  I really like the Chinese five spice in it. I use almond milk in place of regular milk and demerara sugar in place of brown sugar. I usually use dark in place of semi-sweet as well.  Very versatile and forgiving so have fun.

I cut out individual servings every morning and just heat in the microwave for 1 minute.  No need to add syrup.  I just drizzle a little almond milk on top to soften it up.

Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal with Walnuts and Pomegranates

Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal with Walnuts and Pomegranates  Rating: 9

I make this for breakfast about every other week.  When it comes out of the oven, I let it cool, slap some plastic wrap on top and stick it in the fridge.  During busy weekday mornings, I cut the rubbery bake, crumble it into bowls, pour a dash of almond milk on top and a drizzle of maple syrup and nuke it in the microwave for just over a minute.  Then I take a huge handful of pomegranate arils (okay, maybe two huge handfuls) and mix them in.  Divine.

Neal and I got a great bargain on pomegranates through our produce co-op and got a box.  We were glutton for punishment because removing the arils from the pomegranates is no simple task.  Very time consuming.  But we have loads of quart size freezer bags brimming with them and readily available for dishes like this and yes, the antioxidant-happy arils make the dish.

Spaghetti Squash and Kale Gratin

Spaghetti Squash and Kale Gratin  Rating: 8

Very filling and yummier than I thought it would be.  Great way to use up the kale thriving in the garden. Loved the sliced almonds.