Dark and stormy Meatless Monday Oatmeal

It was a dark and stormy morning. Marian awoke to the sound of thunder and knew what she had to do. There was no other option. It was time to make a warm and filling bowl of oatmeal to ward off the cold and damp weather.

A day like today calls for wrapping up in a warm sweater and enjoying a big mug of hot oatmeal. There’s just no other way to start a day like this. Cold cereal is fine for a warm and sunny day, but it just won’t do today.

Yesterday’s breakfast was oatmeal, too, but it was nothing like this recipe. The husband and I were staying at a hotel, and I really wanted oatmeal. Unfortunately, their oatmeal was packets, and they were out of the “regular” flavor that I could sweeten myself with brown sugar and raisins. It’s been years since I’ve purchased or eaten a packet of oatmeal at full sugar strength. I used to keep some reduced sugar oatmeal packets in my office drawer for emergency meals, but couldn’t stand the normal version. I settled for it yesterday, and it was disappointing. Watery, too sweet, and not very satisfying.

So the cold and stormy morning was a perfect excuse to correct the oatmeal nightmare of yesterday. This oatmeal is thick, just sweet enough, and incredibly satisfying. Another perk of oatmeal is that it’s really inexpensive compared to packaged cereal. This was driven home when I did the SNAP Challenge. Oatmeal also make really good homemade granola bars. And I don’t need to take another long post to talk about the combination of banana, peanut butter, and chocolate. Why not translate that from dessert to breakfast?? Hello.

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal

Serves 2

Ingredients

1 cup old-fashioned oatmeal
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
Dash of salt
1 banana, mashed
2 tbsp peanut butter
2 tbsp mini chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Combine the almond milk, oatmeal, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce the heat slightly.

2. Add the mashed banana and peanut butter and mix thoroughly. Cook the mixture for about 5 minutes or until the oatmeal is the consistency is to your liking.

3. Dish out the oatmeal into bowls (or mugs!) and top with mini chocolate chips.