Baked Oatmeal

I got this great book- Super Natural Every Day by Heidi Swanson. She does vegetarian whole food cooking, and her photography is really inspiring. This is our collective effort (Eli was helping me) on the baked oatmeal. We switched out some ingredients (berries and nuts) that we didn't have for some that we did. This was really tasty and only slightly sweet which I have come to prefer as opposed to a blatant sugary-hit.

Baked Oatmeal (Eli and Jeni style)

2c. rolled oats (GF if you like)
1/2c. pecans, chopped
1/3c. natural cane sugar, maple syrup, or honey
1t. baking powder
1 1/2t. ground cinnamon
1/2t. kosher salt
2c. milk
1 egg
3T unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
2t. vanilla extract
2 ripe bananas, cut into rounds
1 1/2c. frozen mixed berries

Preheat oven to 375.

Butter the inside of an 8-inch square baking dish.

Mix the oats, half the nuts, sugar (if using) baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.

In another dish, mix the syrup or honey (if using) milk, egg, half the butter, and vanilla.

Arrange the banana rounds on the bottom of the buttered dish. Sprinkle two thirds of the berries on top. Top with the oatmeal mixture, and slowly drizzle the wet ingredients over the oats. Top with remaining berries and nuts.

Bake 35-45 minutes, until the top is golden. Drizzle remaining butter on top. Serve with more maple syrup or sugar if you like, or not if you don't.

I might even add in some orange zest next time... maybe some dried apricot chunks... you know, mix it up!

                                           I can't wait to try her recipe for Muesli and granola!