It’s Easter Monday. The morning after. And I’m alone. Well, I’m not really alone. I’m sitting here working and the siren song of chocolate is calling. There are six Easter baskets filled with chocolate, toffee, caramel, jelly beans, peanut butter and chocolate eggs . . . well, you get the picture. I’m sure you’ve a similar stash around you place.
Aside from the multiple pounds of chocolate that the Easter Bunny delivered, we had a pretty typical Sunday filled with family time, church, and a nice hike to end the day. And as usual, I’ve got the Monday morning blues . . . but this time around, I have 8 pounds of chocolate waiting to feed my blues.
It is barely 9 a.m. and I’ve already had some chocolate covered toffee. I don’t feel guilty about that, because I was drinking my morning coffee, and everyone knows that toffee and coffee are a perfect match. But now, I need the willpower to hold off from downing handful after handful of jelly beans or malted milk eggs. It is time to refocus and get my mind off the chocolate.
I’d pack up and go work at the library, but it doesn’t open for another hour. So, I must settle in and feed my cravings with something a bit healthier than candy. I guess it is time for some Citrus Baked Oatmeal — a little sweet with filling oatmeal is sure to keep me energized and focused through the morning hours. But, just in case, please, Easter Bunny, come again today to re-hide the baskets. I just don’t want to be tempted any longer.
Citrus Baked Oatmeal
- Cooking spray or butter for greasing the pan
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 1-1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup almond butter (or other nut butter)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1-1/2 cups peeled, chipped fresh citrus, seeds removed
- 1-2 oranges for topping, peeled, seeds removed and sliced.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 3-quart baking dish and set aside.
In a medium bowl, add the rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs slight. Then whisk in the milk, almond butter and honey. Pour the we ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until fully incorporated.
gently stir in the chopped citrus. Pour the batter into the prepared dish. Top with orange slices, and sprinkle everything with a bit of coarse sugar.
bake for 35-45 minutes, or until batter is set and the top is slightly browned. Serve warm with cream, yogurt or your favorite oatmeal topping.
Serves 6
Source: www.farmfreshtoyou.com
