Berry studded baked oatmeal

Oooh, this one's a goodie.

I start most mornings -- at least when the weather is cool -- with a bowl of oatmeal (or eatmeal, as my father calls it). My standard is steel cut oats, with some sliced banana on top, and a bit of brown sugar. It's good, but sometimes standard oatmeal just doesn't it -- especially on a dark, rainy morning, the kind of which we've experienced lately.

This oatmeal dish is so inviting and yummy that it makes you want to get out of bed -- on the aforementioned cold and rainy morning, or even a bright and sunny one -- just so you can eat it in a big bowl, alongside a steaming mug of coffee. It's an easy thing to make on a weekend, and you'll have lots of leftovers to get you through the week.

So let's get started.....

Mix up the milk, eggs and vanilla. It's kinda like you're making a breakfast bread pudding! (Note the glass milk bottle for old timey goodness.)

Get your dish ready with your sliced bananas and frozen fruit. These form a tasty layer for the oatmeal.

More fruit goes on top, along with some walnuts for some crunch.

Then you're forced to wait about 45 minutes until you can dig in. People, it smells SO good while it's baking, and it's so worth the wait.

This crappy picture is testament to the fact that I was so eager to dig in, I couldn't even be bothered to frame a good photo. Make this and your morning will be better. I guarantee it.

Berry Studded Baked Oatmeal
From Shutterbean and Super Natural Every Day Cookbook
Recipe serves 6

(recipe adapted slightly from the Super Natural Every Day Cookbook)

2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
1/3 cup cane sugar or maple syrup (plus more for serving)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 cups whole milk, plus more for serving
2 large eggs (original recipe calls for 1)
3 tablespoons salted butter, melted & cooled slightly
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 ripe bananas, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 1/2 cups mixed berries (I used 1 cup frozen blueberries & 1/2 cup frozen raspberries)
Preheat oven to 375 F. Generously butter the inside of an 8 inch baking dish. (I used a 9x13 dish)

In a bowl, mix together the oats, half of the walnuts, the sugar, baking powder & cinnamon.

In another bowl mix the milk, eggs, half of the butter and vanilla. Whisk until well combined.

Arrange the bananas in a single layer at the bottom of your baking dish. Sprinkle 2/3 of the berry mixture on top. Pour the oat mixture on top and then slowly drizzle the milk mixture on top of that. Give the baking dish a few thwacks (love that word!) on the kitchen counter to make sure the milk moves all around the oats. Scatter the remaining berries and walnuts on top.

Bake in the oven for 35 to 45 minutes, until the top is nicely golden and the oat mixture has set. Remove from the oven and let cool. Drizzle the remaining butter on top and serve. Drizzle maple syrup on top and top with a little bit of milk. Enjoy!

*I used slightly less than 1/3 cup of maple syrup and it was the perfect sweetness: not too cloying, but also not requiring further sugar when you eat it

**The frozen fruit was a President's Choice mix of cherries, blackberries and blueberries. I think it's an organics power mix or omega mix or something new agey and healthy.

*I didn't bother to toast the walnuts beforehand, or add the remaining melted butter before serving. Because I'm a rebel.