Baked Oatmeal (Vegan & Non-Vegan)

I've always had a pretty negative attitude towards vegan eating...(it's just weird, right?), but then I tasted some really good vegan recipes & started thinking differently about vegan food (haven't really thought much about the reasons to eat vegan, but I plan to since I just purchased "Skinny Bitch in the Kitch").

Baked Oatmeal can be turned into a vegan recipe (as I've done below). You can make it with milk or soymilk. Also, my good friend, Betsy, taught me that a good egg replacer is 1 Tbsp. of flax meal mixed with 3 Tbsp. of water--let sit for a few minutes. It was awesome in this recipe!

This is a really good breakfast--healthy, relatively quick, and can be prepared the night before.

There are many variations to be tried with this recipe. You can try apple-pear, banana-walnut, cranberry-orange zest-ginger, any mixed berry, or strawberry-banana-nut as I've tried below.

BAKED OATMEAL

Serves ~ 5-6

1 1/2 cups to 1 3/4 cups of oats (did not use quick oats)
2 cups skim milk (or for vegan version: soymilk)
1 egg (or for vegan version: 1 Tbsp. flax seed+3 Tbsp. water--mix & let sit a few minutes)
2-3 Tbsp. agave nectar or maple syrup (depending on how sweet you like your oatmeal)

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (4 oz)

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 cup chopped nuts

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. baking powder (I used aluminum-free baking powder)

1/4 tsp. salt

1 banana, thinly sliced

6-8 strawberries, diced

Spray an 8X8 inch pan with some non-stick cooking spray (canola oil spray)

Mix all ingredients in a bowl (with the exception of the strawberries) & pour into the baking dish. Sprinkle the strawberries over the top.

Dish can be prepared ahead ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator overnight before baking in the morning. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Serve with a light pouring of maple syrup. Especially good with sliced oranges and some breakfast meat.

Healthier Chocolate Oat Nut Butter Protein Bars

These delicious protein bars are courtesy of my mother in law, Carol. I think she was inspired by her local health club & I'm lucky because she shared the recipe with me. To be honest, most of my best recipes come from her (thanks Carol!).

These taste like a decadent treat & can keep you going for hours.

HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE OAT NUT BUTTER PROTEIN BARS

Ingredients :

Non-stick cooking spray
1 cup powdered soy protein
1/2 cup unbleached all purpose flour (I use whole wheat pastry flour)
2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup packed brown sugar (I use Turbinado)1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (up to 2 cups)
1-1/2 cups vanilla yogurt (3-6oz. containers—I used fat free & plain Greek yogurt)
1/2 cup almond or peanut butter (I used more—can use any nut butter)
2 tsp. vanilla extract


Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Lightly spray a 9 by 13 inch baking pan and a cookie sheet with nonstick spray.
3. Mix together the protein powder, flour, oats, wheat germ, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl.
4. Crumble in the brown sugar, rubbing it with your fingers to break up any clumps.
5. Stir in the chocolate chips.
6. Measure the yogurt, almond butter (thin it by melting a few seconds in the microwave and stirring) and vanilla into a second bowl, stirring until well combined.
7. Add the wet mixture into the dry and mix patiently until thoroughly blended.
8. Transfer to the prepared baking pan, patting it into place with your hands.
9. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and cut into bars.
10. Place the bars on the prepared cookie sheet and bake for another 15 minutes, or until golden around the edges.
11. Remove the bars from the oven and cool.
12. Eat within a few hours, or store in heavy plastic bags in the freezer.
13. Reheat briefly in a toaster oven before serving.


Adapted from Bount Memorial Weight Management Ctr.

Banana Monkey Breakfast Shake

There are few thing more delicious, decadent, and healthier than this shake. This is truly an embodiment of "good food". Our recipe was inspired by an Oprah show I read about that featured the cast of "LOST", one of our favorite shows. Matthew Fox (the actor who plays "Jack") said this is a favorite of his (called "Kailua Monkey" in Hawaii). And now it's my husband's favorite shake.


In our house, it's called the "Banana Monkey" and it tastes like a milkshake. Ever since we've introduced this to my uncle Gabriel, he's had this shake every day.



BANANA MONKEY

Makes 2-3 servings

Approx. 4 oz. soy milk (we use light, Silk brand soymilk)
2 heaping Tbsp. scoop organic peanut butter (not Jif brand)
1-2 big scoops vanilla soy protein powder
2 ripe bananas (frozen bananas preferred)
1 huge glass of ice
1 tsp. honey or agave nectar (optional—can usually skip if bananas are ripe)
1 Tbsp. wheat germ (optional)

In blender (the Vitamix is awesome for this!), blend all ingredients until smooth, adding more soymilk to thin out the consistency if necessary.

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! We sure do.