Not Your Momma's Oatmeal

I know the summer has barely come to a close. I know the average temperatures are still in the 70s and 80s. I know most kids aren't even back to school yet (come tomorrow, though...). However, I just can't shake my excitement for fall! As I leave for work early each morning, the little chill in the air is a small reminder that the BEST season is surely on its way. I love the changing leaves, the scent of autumn, fall decorations, fall foods (I'm a HUGE fan of soups and stews), Halloween is my favorite holiday, and then, of course, there's my birthday. :)

Since I LOVE to sleep, I roll out of bed 20 minutes before I have to leave for work...I do as much as I can at night...shower, pack my lunch...everything. Also, when you wear black scrubs to work every day, picking out your work clothing isn't exactly rocket science, so it takes me literally 2 minutes to get dressed. Because of my penchant for sleep, I really don't have a whole lot of time in the morning to eat breakfast. I keep Pop-Tarts at work to toast in the cafeteria, but I need something new (but still quick). So...I've been eating oatmeal once I get to work. I like the pre-packaged type well enough, but as I sat eating my oatmeal on Friday, I started thinking about the ways I could improve upon it.

Enter baked berry oatmeal. I've never made baked oatmeal in the past, but I was always intrigued. One of the high points of baked oatmeal is that you can make it in advance and just reheat portions as you need them.Thanks to the steel-cut oats, this stuff stays with you for awhile, ensuring you'll be good to go until lunchtime. My favorite part is the topping...a dollop of vanilla yogurt topped with warm strawberry jam. Did I mention there are strawberries laced throughout the oatmeal itself, too? Because there are...

Baked Berry Oatmeal

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup steel-cut oats

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

2 cups milk

1 egg, beaten

1/3 cup applesauce

1/2 cup oil 

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 cups strawberries (fresh or frozen)

Garnish

Strawberry jam, warmed

Vanilla yogurt, regular or Greek

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. In a large bowl, stir together rolled oats, steel-cut oats, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.

3. In a medium bowl, combine milk, egg, applesauce, oil, honey, and brown sugar. Add to oat mixture and stir until combined (it will seem like it's too wet, but the oatmeal will soak it up in the oven).

4. Pour into a greased 2-quart dish.

5. Bake for 20 minutes.

6. Remove from oven, stir, and mix in berries.

7. Bake for 20 more minutes,  or until lightly browned. Spoon into bowls and serve with a dollop of yogurt and warm jam on top.

Enjoy with a steaming mug of joe on a cool, still morning.