I don’t make New Years Resolutions. I guess when I was overweight, I would always wish that I wouldn’t be, but that’s about as close as I got to making a resolution. I would imagine, without having any sort of research to back this up, that losing weight or becoming healthier is the number one New Years resolution that people make. So, in honor of that I thought I would post a really healthy breakfast recipe.
This is my healthy take on a strata, one of my favorite breakfast ‘casseroles’. But instead of using bread, I’m using raw oats. So basically this is oatmeal and fresh fruit held together by a custard. It’s incredibly simple, very healthy and the possibilities are endless when it comes to other flavor combinations. I just happened to have some apples lying around needing to be used, so that’s what I did. But I think in the summertime, a couple fresh peaches with some vanilla and almond extract would be great. It would be like the ‘Peaches and Cream’ oatmeal that was always my favorite growing up. You can do a Banana Nut version and add 1-2 very ripe bananas with some toasted walnuts and cinnamon. A berry version would also be delicious- a couple handfuls of Blue, black or raspberries with some orange zest.
In other words, the recipe I have below is merely a guideline. Use your imagination and whatever you happen to have on hand. If you wanted this to be richer, I would use half and half instead of the milk and add a 1/2 stick of melted butter to the custard. But I really liked that it was pure and simple and clean. This would also make a great work-week breakfast if you made them in muffin tins and baked for 15-20 minutes. You would just keep them in the fridge and grab a couple on your way out the door in the morning.
Easy, Healthy and Delicious!
*Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bake
-In a large mixing bowl beat 5 large eggs with 3/4 cup milk, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 cup + 1 TB light brown sugar and the zest of half a lemon. Whisk well.
-Add to this 1 large or 2 small apples, cubed, 2 cups rolled oats, and 1 TB each of ground flax seeds and toasted wheat germ (optional).
-Pour into a greased 9x9in glass baking dish and bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the bottom has browned a bit and the center is set.
-Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
-Enjoy plain or with a drizzle of maple syrup.
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