Bob's Red Mill Oat Bran Hot Cereal

It is always fun for me to discover a new hot cereal. Hot cereal is one of my favorite ways to start the morning. I found Bob's Red Mill High Fiber Oat Bran Hot Cereal. It is loaded with fiber 7 grams of per serving. It also has 7 grams of protein. I made it this morning for breakfast and it was delicious. It has a slight nutty and wonderful texture to it. It left me with a very satisfied feeling. It is a great way to start your day. Yum! This is also a great cereal to sprinkle on top of foods to add fiber it would be a great addition to greek yogurt. I also made bran muffins out of it.

Ingredients

2 Cups  water

pinch of salt

2/3 Cups Bob's Red Mill Oat Bran hot cereal

2 tsp coconut oil

2 tsp honey or other sweetener 

1/4 tsp nutmeg*

1/2 tsp cinnamon*

1 handful of raisins 

cashew or other milk to drizzle on top

sprinkle additional spices on top if desired

*other optional toppings dried fruit, dates, nuts etc..

Directions     serves 2

1. Put saucepan on medium high heat add water and salt. Bring to boil. Stir in cereal slowly.

2. Turn down to medium low heat. Stir in oil, honey, spices, and raisins. Let it continue to cook for 3 minutes. Stirring often. 

3. Take off the heat and pour into bowls. Drizzle milk and some spices on top and devour. 

*I love to use fresh cinnamon and nutmeg and grate it with my zester. 

Baked Apples with Cinnamon and Pecans

This recipe is a wonderful way to turn your house into a Fall wonderland. It makes it smell so good. They also taste great too. They are so easy to make. They could be served for breakfast, a snack or a yummy dessert. You can choose when you want to have them. It is a fun way to enjoy the Fall. It has the flavors and smells of apple crisp without all of the work,


Ingredients

4 baking apples cored and sliced in half
4 T chopped pecans or other nut
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cardamom *optional
4 tsp honey (add 1/2 tsp per apple if you want it sweeter)
water to cover the bottom of the pan
serve with almond milk if desired

Directions  heat oven to 350

1. Place apples in an 8 x 8 square pan. If you want to you can slice a thin piece off the bottom for them to sit flat on the pan.
2. In a small bowl combine nut, cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg. Stir together until they are all combined.
3. Spoon nut mixture on each apple until the mixture is all gone.
4. Drizzle a tsp of honey on each apple. Trying to keep it on top of the apple.
5. Pour a small amount of water on the bottom of the pan. About 1/4" of the bottom of the pan. If the water evaporates while cooking add more water.
6. Place pan in oven and cook about 40-50 min. or until the apples are soft.
7. Serve warm with milk drizzled over the top if desired. you can also drizzle the juices from the bottom of the pan on to the apples.

Lucky Brown Rice Pudding

Recipe Redux this month is featuring "Good Luck Foods." Does your family have a traditional food to serve New Year's Eve to bring in good luck with the new year? I like the idea of traditions, and I think they help bind a family together. I have not previously had a tradition for New Year's, but I like the idea.

Here is a fun thing to do with friends or family before the new year starts. Serve up this pudding and place an almond in the bottom of one of the dishes before you put in the pudding. Whoever finds the almond in their pudding gets good luck for the coming year!

Ingredients 
4 C cooked brown rice
3 C milk of your choice
2/3 C honey or sweetener of your choice
1 C currants or raisins (optional)
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp of cinnamon or 1 tsp freshly ground
1 tsp nutmeg or 1/2 tsp freshly grated 
1 almond
milk to drizzle on top if desired (optional)

Directions (serves 8)
1.In a saucepan place the rice, milk, And honey together. Bring to a boil on medium heat. 
2. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Until it thickens.
3. Remove from heat, stir in the currants, vanilla nutmeg, and cinnamon.
4. Put in serving dish(es) and put a "lucky almond" inside one of the dishes.
5. Garnish with additional cinnamon (optional) and drizzle on milk if desired.
6. The finder of the almond is the winner and gets luck for the new year

* Currants are smaller than raisins. I like then. Here is some information on them.  

An InLinkz Link-up

Creamy Sweet potatoes (or yams) with Pecans

It is not Thanksgiving without the yams or sweet potatoes. I know not everyone loves them but, there are usually some that do. My mom always makes them she uses lots of butter and brown sugar, and puts marshmallows on top and toasts them. It is always the trick not to let them burn.  It is fun to have traditions with foods that bring back happy memories. This is an idea I found to make your sweet potatoes a little healthier for Thanksgiving. I don't think I have ever whipped sweet potatoes. I was pleased how creamy and good they tasted. Yum! I love sweet potatoes and yams, and am always looking for new ways to eat them.

Ingredients
4 large sweet potatoes cut in half
1 C coconut milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg (fresh grated if you have it)
optional: 1 tsp cardamom
1/4 C chopped up pecans

Directions  (heat oven to 325)
1. Bring a large pot of water to boiling. Place the sweet potatoes in the pot. Cook until they are soft when poked with a fork. 
2. Take off the peels and whip until they are all blended.
3. Pour in the coconut milk and whip until all creamy.
4. Whip in the the vanilla, salt, pepper, cayenne, cinnamon and nutmeg (*cardamom optional). Beat until nice and smooth.
5. Put in casserole dish. Sprinkle on pecans. Heat in the oven about 8 to 10 min. Until it is warmed all the way through. Serve warm. 

Spelt Berry Oatmeal Apple Hot Cereal

I had fun making another spelt berry hot cereal. Here and here are 2 other ones I made a couple years ago that were really good too. It is fun to have different textures in your hot cereal. It also adds some added nutrition combining the grains. The grated apples added a nice natural sweetness too. It is a nice complete breakfast with the apple added.  This would be easy to make the night before and have ready for the next morning. You can store leftovers in an airtight container and eat cold or hot for a breakfast or snack.

Ingredients:
1/2 C spelt berries
3 1/2 C water
1 T coconut oil
1 1/2 C old fashioned oatmeal
3/4 C almond milk
2 big apples grated (I used pink lady)
1/4 tsp almond extract (You could also use vanilla)
1 tsp cinnamon (I used a zester and grated a cinnamon stick)
1/2 tsp fresh nutmeg (or powder if you don't have the fresh ) 
sweetener added to taste (I added a small amount of honey)
* 2 T ground flax could be added when you add the oatmeal* optional
* You could also top it off with fresh fruit or chopped nuts.
 
Directions: Serves 5- 6
1. Pour spelt and water in medium saucepan and let it boil on med high a couple minutes. Turn down the heat and let it simmer about 15 min. The spelt will be tender but still have some firmness to it.
2. Stir in the oatmeal on medium low heat. Gradually add the almond milk. Let it all cook together about 7 min.
3. Pour in the grated apple, extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Let cook on low 2 min.
4. Pour into bowls. You can add a little almond milk on top too. Store leftovers in air tight container. 

Chai Banana Smoothie

I was in the "island of the Sun" last week. I had a drink like this. I thought it would be fun to try and make it at home and this is what I came up with. The spices that make up Chai (pronounced rhymes with pie) are some of my favorite. I love the way they smell and taste. I also feel good after I eat them too. The bonus is they have health benefits as well. So drink up and enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 C rice milk chilled (or any kind of milk)
1 frozen banana
1/4 tsp cardamom
1/8 tsp allspice
1/8 tsp fresh nutmeg or dried
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp cloves
1/8 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp vanilla

Directions: 1 serving
1. Pour into a blender and blend until smooth. Serve while nice and cold. :)

Apple Pie Popcorn (healthy)

This is a way to enjoy apple pie without all of the calories.:) It was a fun snack and treat at the same time. I love all the spices that are in it, so that  makes it even better.

Ingredients: 
4 T coconut oil melted
1/4 tsp vanilla * optional
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
4 C popped corn (air popped)
1/4 tsp to 1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 to 3/4 C dried apples
*fresh nutmeg grated on top if desired


Directions:
1. Mix the oil, vanilla*, and spices together in a small bowl.

2. In a medium size bowl pour in popcorn. Toss the coco0nut  oil mixture into the popcorn.

3. Shake in the salt. Stir in the apples. Grate fresh nutmeg on top if desired.

(I didn't even miss the sugar!)  

Oatmeal with Peaches and Almond Milk (Yum!!)

Peaches are a yummy fruit. I had some and kept thinking they would be wonderful with my oatmeal. So I put them to the test and tried them. They passed with flying colors. The nutmeg adds an extra nice touch as well. I love nutmeg! It would be wonderful to have fresh peaches all year. Canned peaches don't tastes the same. It is a wonderful way to start your morning. :)

Ingredients:
2/3 C old fashioned oatmeal
2 C water
1 T coconut oil (Makes it creamier.)* optional
1/4 tsp fresh nutmeg grated or 1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 to 2 T honey
1 peach peeled and sliced in thin slices
1/2 C almond milk
nutmeg and cinnamon to sprinkle on top

Directions: serves 2
1. Boil water, then stir in oatmeal, oil, nutmeg, cinnamon. Boil a couple minutes.

2. Turn down the heat let boil a couple more minutes, until it reaches the desired consistency.

3. Take off the heat. Serve into 2 bowls and then pour on the almond milk. Then top with cut peaches and sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg. Yum!

Roasted Carrots

These were so yummy, they kind of reminded of sweet potato fries which our family loves. It is a fun variation. The left overs make a great snack too.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lb carrots peeled, halved and cut lengthwise and then crosswise
3 T coconut oil or another oil or butter.
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp grated nutmeg
1 tsp. sea salt and 1/2 tsp ground pepper

Directions: Heat oven 425
1. Mix in large bowl combine carrots, oil, and spices. (Salt and pepper when done cooking)
2. Place on greased cookie sheet, or parchment paper. Cover tightly with foil and cook 15 min. Take off foil and cool till desired tenderness 30 to 35 min.

3. Then pour on salt and pepper toss, and serve in a serving dish.

Cinnamon Nutmeg Custard

My mother-in-law has a sensitive stomach. I thought it would be fun to make her some custard. She loves it. It brings back memories from her childhood. She said she really enjoyed this recipe. It is nice light treat and not really sweet either. It is wonderful even if you don't have a sensitve stomach. :) It was a nice way to use fresh nutmeg again too. The spices in this add an extra touch.

Ingredients: makes 6 custard cups
2 C milk low fat ( I used whole milk this time)
2/3 C instant nonfat dry milk powder
2 to 3 T honey
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp fresh nutmeg or 1/2 tsp dried nutmeg

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350 and spray custard cups with nonstick spray.

2. In a saucepan pour in milk, dry milk, honey,and cook on medium high heat. Stir often until the mixture boils. It should take about 5 min. Don't let it boil for more than a minute.

3. In a small bowl beat the eggs until light. Then pour in small amount of egg into milk mixture. Beat with a whisk or hand mixer till combined. Then beat in the vanilla and spices.

4. Pour into cups. Sprinkle some nutmeg or cinnamon on top.

5. In a large rectangle pan place the 6 filled custard cups. Fill the pan with warm (not boiling) water till it covers the custard cups halfway. Bake until the custard sets. It should take 20-25 min. The knife will come out clean when inserted into the custard. Eat warm or cover with plastic and put int the fridge till chilled.

Nutmeg and Quinoa, Amaranth and Buckwheat Cereal

I have been very interested in getting fresh nutmeg. Fresh always adds a better flavor in spices. I have seen it mentioned in recipes and was curious about it. In my search for looking for it, I finally found it at Sunflower market. It was in a rack with other spices that come in cellophane bags. I was so excited to finally be able to try it.

To use it, all you do is take a little zester, the kind you would use for zesting an orange, and rub the nut over it. It's that easy!

The first thing I tried it in was some hot cereal. It added a wonderful flavor, and it smells so good. If you don't like the flavor of nutmeg you will not like it, but if you do like nutmeg you will love it. :) The benefit to using spices is it adds a great flavor, and you can use less sweetener. I am excited to add it to some other foods.
Some interesting health benefits that could happen, eating nutmeg in moderation.
1. Aides in digestion.
2. Anti-inflammatory
3. Improve blood circulation which can boost brain activity
4. Boost in the function of the heart.
5. Works as a detox and can stones from forming in your kidneys.
6. Promotes the the production of serotonin in your body, which can help you relax and sleeping better.
7. Can eliminate bacteria in your mouth and help you from having bad breath.. It is an ingredient found in toothpaste sometimes.

"Some like it hot some like it cold....." I love this Cereal! I had it yesterday hot, and today I had some leftovers cold. It was yummy both ways. With the spices in it, and the texture it kind of reminded me of a rice pudding. So very good! It has a lot of texture to it, and it is really healthy too.

Ingredients:
3 C water
1/3 C unsweetened almond milk and a little extra to pour on top
1/3 C quinoa
1/3 C buckwheat
1/3 C amaranth
1/3 C coconut oil
1 tsp cinnamon
2 to 3 T honey
1/4 tsp grated nutmeg or 1/2 tsp dried (featured spice) Zester worked great!
*Optional 1/3 C raisins, craisins, dates, or any dried fruit.

Directions: serves 4

1. Boil the water then stir in all the ingredients except the raisins or dried fruit. Turn down heat to low and let cook till the grains are all softened. Put on the lid. It may take about 10 min. Add more water if needed.

2. Then add the fruit and stir it in. Serve into bowls and pour a little almond milk on top. Enjoy!


* For extra added nutrition you can soak the grains overnight or even 30 min before cooking.