Nov 09 2008
Weekend Breakfast: Cinnamon-Raisin-Walnut Oatmeal
Breakfast is the best time of day to get whole grains into my diet, and I love it. However breakfast is also my most automated meal, something I usually throw together in a half-awakened daze. On weekdays, morning time is precious and efficiency is the greatest virtue. But on weekends, we have the luxury of making breakfast a little more fun.
o me, the quality of the Trader Joe’s raisins makes this meal. They do not even remotely resemble those hard little pellets sold by Sun-maid. Rather they are big, plump and colorful. Adding them first with the water and boiling them for a few minutes rehydrates them and makes them even bigger and juicier.
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/3 cup Trader Joe’s Jumbo Raisin Medley
- 1/4 cup crumbled walnuts or pecans
- tons of cinnamon
Add raisins and water to a small pot and bring to a simmer. Simmer 4-5 minutes or until the raisins are plump, then add oats. I usually rinse the measuring cup with some water to free the remaining oats that are stuck to the side. This will provide a bit more liquid as well, which is usually a bonus.
Simmer oats, stirring occasionally until they reach your desired tenderness, about 5 more minutes (add more water if necessary ~1/4 cup). When done, move oats to a serving bowl and crumble nuts on top. I usually add a splash of soy milk (I’m lactose intolerant) at this time to make the oatmeal a little more fluid. Cold milk provides the added benefit of cooling it down a bit, which makes it easier to add the cinnamon; you should avoid allowing too much steam to enter your spice jar. I like to add a lot of cinnamon, so that I can really taste it in every bite.
With this much flavor I doubt you would need any sugar. But if you want to add some more sweetness, a touch of brown sugar or honey won’t kill you.
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Tags: oatmeal, raisins
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Mmmmm, Oatmeal!! All that wonderful, wonderful soluble fiber that makes your day and mine a little brighter.
WOW !! So Oatmeal doesn’t have to taste like Paste -
I LOVE oatmeal for breakfast. If you want creamier oatmeal you can substitute a half-cup of milk for half the water. Or if you want it a little sweeter (sorry Darya!) you can substitute a half-cup of juice for half the water. Apple juice would be really good with this recipe!
I found your site in November 2011. I have been doing a version of this breakfast since I ran across it on the site, instead of my previous 2 packets of flavored instant oatmeal. I am in a rush in the morning so I substitute 1/2 cup quick cooking oatmeal and add a handful each of unsweetened raisins made from red flame grapes, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts then sprinkle on some saigon cinnamon. I put a little almond milk on it. I also do a 1/2 cup of low fat cottage cheese for protein. I feel I have more energy from this and it lasts longer. and the oatmeal “cooks” while I fix my lunch. I even mix the oatmeal the night before so it goes quicker.
Nice! Glad it is working out.