Spiced Fruity Oatmeal

Recently, I have really gotten into eating oatmeal.  I never used to eat it because I love cereal so much.  I could seriously eat cereal for every meal of the day (I think I've actually done that before!).  I've realized that oatmeal is probably much healthier for me though, so I've been eating it every now and then and experimenting with different add-ins.

As I was looking through a Cooking Light cookbook, I came across a recipe that used apple juice for the liquid in the oatmeal.  Genius!  It sounded so fruity and delicious that I knew I had to give it a try.

After the first attempt, I decided I needed to tweak the recipe a bit for my tastes.   The second time I made it, it was perfect!

    

Spiced Fruity Oatmeal

Ingredients:

1/2 cup apple juice

1/2 cup milk

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

1 small box of raisins

1/2 teaspoon brown sugar

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

Less than 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1 tablespoon chopped pecans

Directions:

1.  Combine apple juice, milk, and salt in a small saucepan; bring to a boil.

2.  Stir in oats and raisins; reduce heat slightly and cook for about 2 minutes.  Stir occasionally.  

3.  Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.

4.  Spoon into a bowl.  Add a splash of milk, if desired.  Sprinkle with pecans.

Source:  Adapted from Cooking Light Annual Recipes 2001