Becca Leigh Eats

A spin on traditional oatmeal with the flavors of fall right at your door. 

     I love cinnamon! It is my favorite spice of all time. The smell and taste remind me of a chilly fall day with orange, red, and yellow leaves falling, while I’m sitting next to the fire cuddled up with a fuzzy blanket and a good book. This oatmeal will leave you with a warm, cozy feeling on the inside.

     Oats are considered to be a functional food. Meaning they have many unique properties that help contribute to a healthy lifestyle and overall wellness. Oats are an important source of insoluble fiber, vitamins, and minerals that act as a balanced protein. They have been determined to be beneficial for human health by improving the gut microbiome and assisting in preventing diseases such as atherosclerosis, dermatitis, and some forms of cancer. This whole food is versatile, nutrient-dense, easy to prepare, and will surely keep you full until your next meal. What more can one want from their food?!  With all the benefits that oats provide, who would want to miss out!

What roles do these ingredients play?

Oats: This is a pantry staple and the main star of the dish.

Pinch of Salt: balances out the sweetness of the honey

Honey: sweetens the oatmeal. Can add as much or as little as you like

Cinnamon: sweet and spicy flavor, with added health benefits. Cinnamon is a popular multifaceted plant used in traditional and modern medicines. It has many medicinal qualities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial, as well as aids in digestion. I like to add a decent amount of cinnamon to my oatmeal for a nice, comfy spice flavor.

Vanilla: adds a subtle flavor and enhances the creaminess of the dish

Milk: Adds additional creaminess

Prep time: 2 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

• ½ cup old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup milk (of choice)
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
• Pinch of salt
• 2 teaspoons organic raw honey

Directions:

• 1.       Combine everything except the honey, into a medium-sized saucepan.
• 2.       Place on low-medium heat and cook until the milk has been absorbed by the oats, approximately 15 minutes. Stir often, to prevent sticking.
• 3.       Once all the liquid is absorbed, mix in the honey until incorporated.
• 4.       Serve and enjoy!

Combining all of these flavors together creates a sweet and creamy, delicious breakfast that will taste like a treat. With all the health benefits of this dish, you can have your dessert and eat it too at any time of the day!

Notes

Top with chopped nuts or dried fruit of your choice for added texture. 

Not a fan of regular milk? You can easily substitute alternative milks here, or just use water. You can also use any type of sweetener you prefer. 

Easily doubled or tripled if you like.

Easy and minimal prep work. Just place everything in the pot and let it heat up. You can also double the recipe, with 1:1 conversions. 

Don’t have time in the mornings? Make the night prior, just throw everything in a 16-oz mason jar or container, mix, and place in the fridge. You can either warm it up in the morning or eat it cold, tastes just as delicious!

It can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.