It’s been raining for 3 days now here. What’s better to start the morning than a bowl of warm oatmeal? I have mine with toasted almonds and dried blueberries with cinnamon and allspice. Happy Monday!

INGREDIENTS

SERVES 4

1 cup old fashioned oats

1 cup water

1 cup milk ( you can use 2%, almond, soy or skim)

2 tbsp brown sugar ( adjust as you see fit)

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp almond essence (optional)

1 banana, cut in 2 pieces

1/16 tsp  ground cinnamon

1/16 tsp ground all-spice

1/4 cup dried blueberries, half for cooking in the oatmeal, half as garnish

2 tbsp toasted almond slices

Method

Place oatmeal, water, and milk into a deep medium size casserole and put on medium heat. Add sugar, salt, and spices and stir well. Cut half of the banana into small pieces and add to oatmeal. Lower heat and stir from time to time as it will start to thicken as it begins to come to a boil. Add almond extract and dried blueberries. Cook for 5 minutes until mixture thickens.

Remove from pan and put into a bowl. Serve with extra milk as desired. Garnish with remaining chopped banana and toasted almonds.