A Breakfast Treat: Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

As a child oatmeal, the healthy, cholesterol lowering food, was a frequent breakfast dish.  However, there was a glitch:  my oatmeal was generally loaded down with butter sugar to add "flavor".  I recently discovered a way to spice up my oatmeal with out sacrificing its health benefits. 

Oatmeal is a whole grain and adds fiber to your diet.  Fiber can make you feel full longer, lower cholesterol and will help keep you "regular".  If you are just beginning to add fiber to your diet, be sure to drink an increased amount of water or you may end up on the more irregular side of things.  To boost, oatmeal is light on the pocketbook.

Ingredients
2 cups water
1 medium apple (I use Granny Smith)
1/2 c. quick cooking oats
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt

Instructions
In a small saucepan heat water with a pinch of salt.  Meanwhile, slice and chop the apple.  I use an apple slicer/corer and then chop each slice into 5 or 6 pieces.  I leave the peel on the apple which adds additional fiber and the phytochemicals stored in the peel.  Add 2 tsp cinnamon and bring to boil.

Boil for 5-7 minutes, or until apples are tender.  Use a potato masher to mash the cooked apple, you will now have the consistency of a thin syrup.  Add oats and boil according to the directions on the package (3-5 minutes for me).

The finished product will seem to be soupy at first but as the oatmeal cools down, the excess water will be absorbed.  If you prefer a thicker oatmeal, try reducing the amount of water initially used.

 

This recipe is made to serve one person and takes about 20 total minutes to prepare.  While it may take longer than an instant oatmeal to prepare you are avoiding many additives that can be found in the processed, instant brands.  If you prepare this oatmeal for yourself, you are using the apple as a natural sweetener, and your apple flavoring really came from a fresh, wholesome apple!