Pumpkin Oatmeal

I love paging through recipes to find wholesome, real meals to cook for our family.  Then I dream about that food!  I'm a foodie, thanks the the influence of Aunt Chris and my own craziness, but often times those recipes are a bit too labor intensive for me.  (I'll go try them in a restaurant anytime!)  Around here it only gets made and tested if it's also EASY!

I think my favorite meal...scratch that...I love all meals.  I really like breakfast!  Breakfast foods are usually so quick and easy to cook.  Plus I have two little mouths five days of the week who eat mostly whatever I give them and I don't have to listen to any complaints about onions in the food!  (clears throat)  ;)  Our standard is eggs and omelets with whatever meat, cheese, and veggies we have on hand or have to use up.  The whole family also loves pancakes and usually I make a buckwheat pancake that is tasty and super healthy!  Oatmeal ranks high because it is such an inexpensive food that packs a lot of nutrition.  Usually we top it with dried berries and nuts, but when I saw this recipe I knew I had to try it.  Ingredients I already have on hand and easy, what could be better.  Yesterday I was also reading that walnuts provide a great source of Omega-3s, so now it gets bonus points!  And real maple syrup (which we used instead of honey) takes the cake!  (If you've never tried it, you may just be hooked and think that the corn syrup fake syrup is now...gross.)  Claire and Henry both loved it, so it is a keeper around here!

P.S.  If you have any recipes that fit the interesting and easy bill, send them my way!

Without further ado, here is the recipe for Pumpkin Oatmeal, courtesy of www.passionatehomemaking.com

2 cups rolled uncooked oats
3 1/2 cups coconut milk (or combination with water or other milk of your choice)
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon pumpkin spice (or 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/8 tsp ginger, 1/8 tsp nutmeg, dash of cloves)
Candied pecans/walnuts
Maple syrup or honey, to sweeten

1. In a medium saucepan, combine rolled oats, coconut milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla and spices. Mix till well blended.
2. Place saucepan over high heat on the stove and bring to a boil. Turn down to a simmer and allow to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Remove from heat and transfer to individual bowls and top with chopped nuts and sweetener of your choice. You may want to add a bit more milk to your taste.

Enjoy!

Yield: 4-5 servings.