Banana Nut Bread Oatmeal

Oatmeal... how do I love thee!

I'm sure that you will find my blog is not short on the oatmeal recipes. I love having a steaming bowl of delicious oats for breakfast. They're so filling and good for you, as well as quick to make and cheaper than buying boxed cereal, that I just never get tired of them. Since us vegans seem to lurve our oatmeal, I'm sure that there's isn't a shortage of oatmeal combo recipes in the vegan blogosphere, but sometimes it's a good idea to see a few new combinations to get you out of your oatmeal rut (if there is such a thing!).

Also, I'm trying really hard to quit refined sugar and junk food (day two... this is hard!), so sometimes I put stevia extract in my oatmeal. This particular recipe doesn't really need any sweetener, but feel free to add some if you would like. Brown sugar or a touch of pure maple syrup would be good. I was also tempted to open up a can of coconut milk so I could have some cream on my oatmeal, but I decided to let that go for now. If you haven't ever put coconut cream (from the separated cream in a can of full-fat, unsweetened coconut milk) on your oatmeal, you should try it. It's glorious! I just need to have something to do with the rest of the milk before I open one.

Note: I don't use the whole cup of almond milk because it tends to get a little foamier in the microwave and I don't have a big enough bowl to keep it from going all over the place. Also, my microwave is older than I am (literally) and yours could probably cook this oatmeal in half the time, so adjust the cooking time to your liking.  

Banana Nut Bread Oatmeal:
1/2 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
3/4 c. unsweetened almond milk
1/4 c. water
1 Tb. sultanas (raisins)
3 small dates (mine are like baby dates, so you can probably use one big one), chopped
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
a pinch of salt
1/2 a banana, sliced
1/8 c. walnuts, chopped and toasted
1 Tb. coconut cream, optional

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the oats, almond milk, water, raisins, dates, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir to combine. Then microwave 4 minutes or until the oats are done. It thickens after cooling, so if it seems a tad liquidy, it should be alright. Top the cooked oatmeal with the sliced banana, walnuts, and coconut cream. Enjoy!

This oatmeal has 415 calories, but I tell you what, I am insanely full! This is health food at it's finest! Next time I think I'll reduce the oatmeal to 1/3 cup, cause when you got all that stuff on it, it fills you up fast!

Also, I'M FINALLY ON SPRING BREAK!! Of course, I'll be working double-time, but that still leaves me with more time to cook (and sleep in, and be with my boyfriend, and watch Netflix...). Stay tuned. Oh, and I have a question for you guys...

How do you all like to enjoy your morning (or dinner!) oatmeal?