SLOW COOKER BREAKFAST
A warm and hearty start to the day is always good. Not so appealing in the heat of summer but during these wet, chilly days of winter nothing beats a steaming bowl of Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat (Creamita, as my Nana called it) or Muesli.
To be honest, I’m a traditional European when it comes to breakfast: a hot cup of coffee and a pastry, is all I need and crave. But there are days when my body talks to me and cravings for something more substantial is the order of the morning. When that happens, I listen and take the time to prepare something that interest and satisfies what my body is lacking. Usually protein.
Many of us don’t have a whole lot of time in the morning to prepare a healthy, hearty breakfast on weekdays, especially me. When my sugary breakfasts need to be replaced midweek I go to my trusty Slow Cooker. Here’s a recipe for a warm, rich and creamy that will sustain you for several hours and make you feel as though your mom, dad or whoever showed you food-love is still in your kitchen.
INGREDIENTS
— 2 cups steel cut oats (NOT quick cooking – they’ll too mushy)
— 3 cups almond milk
— 1 cup water
— ¼ cup barley
— ¼ cup wheat germ
— ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
— ¼ cup maple syrup
— 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
— 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
— 1 teaspoon cinnamon
— ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pumpkin seeds
— ½ cup raisins
— ½ cup other dried fruit such as apples, apricots, currants or bananas
— ¼ cup slivered almonds
— 1 pinch of salt
PROCESS
— Spray Slow Cooker with Nonstick Spay, Brush with Metled Butter or use your Liner, If You Have One. Steel Cut Oats Like to Stick!
To Slow Cooker Add ; Oats, Almond Milk, Water, Barley, Wheat Germ, Coconut, Maple Syrup, Butter, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Walnuts, Raisins and Salt. Stir To Combine.
Turn Cooker Onto Low Setting And Cook for 7-8 Hours.
In The Morning; Turn Off Slow Cooker, Stirring Oats To Remix.
Spoon Into Individual Serving Bowls and Top Each With; Other Dried Fruit of Your Choice or Fresh Such as Bananas or Beries, Slivered Almonds, (Brown Sugar if you must- I Must!) and Enjoy!