Salted Lemon Apple Oats

If you've perused my blog, you know that I'm into oats. It's hot and humid here because of Arizona's monsoon season, however, and lately a warm bowl of porridge hasn't sounded good. These, however, hit the spot.

If you're looking for a nice summer oatmeal recipe, this might be it. Fresh lemon + crisp apple + a nice topping of salt = summer bliss.

Ingredients:

1/2 c quick cooking oats
1 1/2 c water
1 apple, diced
1 T lemon juice
A sprinkle of coarse salt (I used red Hawaiian sea salt.)

Directions:

1. Bring oats, apple, and water to a boil and reduce heat to medium. 
2. Stir in lemon juice.
3. When oats reach desired consistency and apples are tender, transfer oatmeal to a bowl.
4. Top with a sprinkle of coarse salt and dig in.

30 Days of Oatmeal: Lemon Vanilla Cinnamon

Think of the sweetness of a cool glass of lemonade on a hot day, the thirst-quenching tang of lemon melded with the smooth syrup of sugar. I've replicated that here, using no sugar, and only four ingredients.

Try apples (my choice here), berries, nut butter, or yogurt as toppings. The sky's the limit.

Ingredients:

1/2 c rolled oats
1 c water
1 t cinnamon
2 T lemon juice
1 t vanilla
Topping(s) of your choice

Directions:

1. Combine  water and oats in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to  medium low.

2. When oats reach the desired consistency, stir in the cinnamon, lemon juice, and vanilla.

3. Transfer oats to a bowl and add your choice of toppings.

Ginger Lemon Oats with Stewed Apples

I went a little crazy with my flavor combinations this time. This wasn't my favorite bowl of oats ever, but I did enjoy it. Plus, ginger is good for the tummy, and an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Add cinnamon that helps control blood sugar and the protein of natural peanut butter, and you've got yourself a healthy bowl of oats!

Plus, the bowl looks pretty. Don't you think?

Ingredients:

1 apple, diced
1 t vanilla
3 T water

1/2 c rolled oats
1 c water
2 T lemon juice
1/2 t ground ginger

2 T natural peanut butter
1/2 t cinnamon
Enough water to make a paste

Directions:

1. In a small sauce pan, combine the apple, vanilla, and water. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat. Allow the apples to cook until the water evaporates and a thick syrup forms around the apples.
2. Transfer the apples to a bowl, and add the oats and water to the same pan.
3. Bring the oats to a boil and allow them to cook until thick and rich.
4. Add the lemon juice, ginger, and a little more water. Cook until the oats reach the desired consistency.
5. In a small bowl, mix the peanut butter, cinnamon, and enough water to form a paste.
6. Transfer the oats to a bowl and top with the stewed apples and cinnamon peanut butter.