Baked Oatmeal

Baked Oatmeal with Strawberries, Banana and Chocolate Chips

Ingredients

• 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• 1 teaspoon Chinese five spice or cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup walnut pieces, chopped
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 cups milk
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ripe banana, peeled, 1/2-inch slices

Method

1.    Preheat oven to 375°F and generously spray the inside of a 10-1/2 by 7 inch baking dish with cooking spray and place on a baking sheet.

2.    In a large bowl, mix together the oats, sugar, baking powder, orange zest, Chinese five spice, salt, half the walnuts, half the strawberries and half the chocolate. (Save the other half of strawberries, walnuts and chocolate for the top of the oatmeal).

3.    In another large bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, butter and vanilla extract.

4.    Add the oat mixture to prepared baking dish. Arrange the remaining strawberries, walnuts and chocolate on top. Add the banana slices to the top then pour the milk mixture over everything. Gently shimmy/shake the baking dish to help the milk mixture go throughout the oats.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is nicely golden brown and the milk mixture has set. For an extra tasty top, sprinkle a tablespoon or so of extra brown sugar on top then place back in the oven under the broiler and broil for 20-30 seconds. Serve warm with an extra sprinkle of sugar or drizzle of maple syrup.

Happy New Year! Don't forget to eat your Black-eyed Peas!

It's a new year, full of hope and possibilities! Make it count! Make sure to eat some black-eyed peas today for good luck all year round! My husband doesn't like black-eyed peas so I disguised them in a bean dip! Shhh, don't tell him.

Black-eyed Pea Dip

What you'll need:

1 can black eyed peas

1/2 onion, chopped

1tbls choped jalepenos

1/4c hot sauce

1/4c sour cream

1/2c shredded cheddar cheese, divided

To Make:

Preheat oven to 400. Mash beans in a quart sized dish. Mix in all remaining ingredients, using 1/2 of the shredded cheese. Top with remaining cheese. Bake for 15-20mins, until hot and bubbly.



Ejoy with some of your favorite tortilla chips. I wrapped heaping tablespoons up in some warm corn tortillas for a healthy lunch to start off the new year right.