= Serves: 10 to 12
= Serving size: One 4-ounce square
= Active time: 10 minutes
= Total time: 55 minutes to 1 hour
Oatmeal is terrific for you. It has lots of fiber, that unsung nutrient that slows down your body’s metabolism of sugar. But on some mornings spending 15 minutes preparing rolled oats, or 1 hour preparing steel-cut oats, seems a bridge too far. This recipe offers a solution: You can make the oatmeal the night before. All you need to do in the morning is cut a slice, and enjoy!
Ingredients
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
1¼ cups unsweetened soy milk (2 percent milk is also OK)
1 pound sweet apples, diced
2 tablespoons rice bran, coconut, or safflower oil
2 large eggs, or 4 large egg whites (save the yolks for another use)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
STEP 2: Spray a 9-by-9-inch baking pan with cooking oil.
STEP 3: Combine the rolled oats, cinnamon, baking powder, brown sugar, if using, and salt in a medium-size bowl.
STEP 4: Combine the soy milk, apples, oil, eggs, vanilla, and honey, if using, in a large bowl. Add the oat mixture and mix well. Pour the oatmeal batter into the prepared baking pan.
STEP 5: Bake the oatmeal on the middle rack until the center is set and firm to the touch, 45 minutes.
Cool for 10 minutes, cut and serve. Can be served at room temperature. Covered, it will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days.
VARIATIONS:
• Make muffins using a nonstick muffin pan that makes 12. The baking time will be 25 minutes.
• Use fresh or frozen chopped peaches, about 2 fresh peaches or 1 cup frozen, in place of the apples.
GOES WELL WITH:
• Scrambled eggs
• A glass of milk
• A midmorning snack
Per serving (with added honey): Calories 170, Calories from Fat 40, Total Fat 4.5g (7% DV), Saturated Fat 1g (5% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholesterol 35mg (12% DV), Sodium 250mg (10% DV), Carbohydrates 28g (9% DV), Dietary Fiber 4g (16% DV), Sugars 9g, Added Sugars: 3g, Protein 5g, Vitamin A 2%, Vitamin C 4%, Calcium 10%, Iron 6%.