Try This! Thursday - Vanilla Spice Oatmeal

I've never been too big on oatmeal, at least not the instant microwavable kind, but I found a recipe for a home made oatmeal that blows those instant oatmeal mixes out of the water...literally. You have got to try this!

Vanilla Spice Oatmeal


Yield: 4 servings Cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, optional
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped, optional
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, plus more, to taste
- 1 cup lowfat milk, divided
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions
- In a medium saucepan, bring the water and salt to a boil. Stir in the oats and raisins, reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
- In the meantime, place nuts, if using, in a dry skillet over a medium-high flame, and toast, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
- When the oats are cooked remove pan from the flame and stir in the vanilla and nutmeg. Swirl in the brown sugar and place the oatmeal in serving bowls. Pour 1/4 cup of milk on top of each bowl, and top with toasted nuts and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Note: For a quicker version using quick cooking or plain instant oatmeal: Cook the oatmeal according to the directions on the package. Stir raisins, brown sugar, and nutmeg into the cooked oatmeal. Top with milk, nuts (toasted or un-toasted) and cinnamon.

For this recipe and more like it, click here.

I am looking for guest posters to guest post for Try This! Thursday. I thought it would be fun for you to share some of your favorite recipes! So, if you are interested in doing a guest spot, please drop me an email!