A warm bowl of oatmeal is a nice healthy treat on a cold winter morning -- but I always feel a little less healthy when I add sweetener to my bowl. Lately, I've been experimenting with other ways of flavoring my oatmeal that still meet my need for something sweet in the morning - the result is a cereal cooked with unsweetened shredded coconut, vanilla, and diced apple, and topped with dried cranberries.I'm currently using a whole grain cereal blend that includes flax seeds; otherwise, I would also add 1/4 cup of walnuts or pecans to the pot.
Ingredients
Oats, per package instructions for four servings
Low fat milk, per package instructions for four servings, plus additional milk to top the cooked oatmeal
Salt, per package instructions for four servings
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 small apple, washed, cored, and diced
1/4 cup dried cranberries
Combine oats, milk, salt, coconut, vanilla, and diced apple in a medium saucepan.
Cook per package instructions (cooking time will vary depending on whether you're using quick oats).
Top with cranberries and additional milk to taste.
