Oatmeal, Six Ways.

Pumpkin Maple Oats with Pecans 

This was better than I thought it would be, considering there is cottage cheese in it.  The cottage cheese mostly melted though, and left the oatmeal with an extra creamy texture that was nice, if still a bit different.

Strawberry Cheesecake Oatmeal

This was originally supposed to be Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Oatmeal, but I ran out of raspberries and I couldn't get the swirl to work.  In any case, this was very good.  Next time I make this, (and yes, there will be a next time!) I'll use graham cracker on top instead of the granola, and I'll let my strawberries thaw a bit more. (I had to stir them in to warm them up.)  Delicious.

Gingersnap Oatmeal

I'm not a big fan of gingersnaps, and so it's not really a surprise that this wasn't my favorite oatmeal.  I think it's the snap....Cookies should be soft!  If you are a fan, I'm sure this oatmeal would be wonderful.  As it is, I enjoyed the oatmeal itself, but could have done without the cookie.  Also, I substituted brown sugar for white in this recipe.

Almond Joy Oatmeal

My dear Hubby made this for us for breakfast.  (I made the almond butter. Used peanut oil again.) He had more time than I that morning, and so decided to treat.  The dish was delicious, with the exception that I personally think there's too much almond extract called for.  Next time we'll reduce that a bit, and maybe up the chocolate chips.  Yum!

Cookies and Cream Oatmeal

This. Was. Decadent.

This oatmeal is definitely on my top 5 list for favorite desserts ever.  I took the liberty of adding some extra chocolate chips, but other than that, it's untouched.  Please, do yourself a favor and make this.  You won't be disappointed.

Peanut Butter Cup Oatmeal Round 2

(This is in replacement of Turkey Huevos Rancheros Oatmeal, which I couldn't bring myself to make. If you're brave, go ahead and try it.) :)

As I've said before, I LOVE peanut butter and chocolate together.  Unfortunately I was a bit disappointed by the original recipe.  Consequently, I decided to try my own recipe. 

For one serving:

1/2 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup milk

1/3-1/2 banana (I used 1/3, hubby ate the rest of the banana for me.) :)

1 1/2 t. honey

2 T. flaxseed meal

1 1/2 T. cocoa powder

2 T. peanut butter, divided

handful mini chocolate chips, to taste

Directions:

Bring to boil oatmeal, water, and milk.  Once mixture begins to simmer, stir in sliced banana.  When banana is broken down, stir in honey, flaxseed meal*, cocoa powder, and 1-1 1/2 T. peanut butter.  Once incorporated, spoon into serving bowl and top with 1/2 T. of peanut butter and a handful of mini chocolate chips.

*The flaxseed meal isn't integral to the recipe, but I can't really taste it in there, and it's good for me, so I put a bunch in.  This is 'to taste'.

The recipe isn't too far different from the original, but the chocolate chips on top make the dish, and I prefer the honey in this to sweeten.