Banana Oatmeal

I hope everyone has had a great couple of days.  I spent my Monday with a sick 10 year old but was so happy that he bounced back right away because Brad and I took 12 year old Boy 1 and Boy 2 to see Hedley in concert last night!!!  Oh ya!  It was Boy 2's first concert and it ... was ... awesome!  Jacob Hoggard and his band of merry men put on a great show that was literally non-stop.  It was such a great experience that I left with my voice a little hoarse from all the singing and screamin'!  FYI: Hedley is a great Canadian group and being able to take my menfolk to see them live was the icing on the proverbial cake.  Ok, enough of my love of Hedley.

Let's talk comfort.  I don't know about you but when I get stressed from work, life etc I look for comfort.  Some people take comfort by soaking in a bath, some get a massage while others, like me, eat.  If there's one thing that will put a smile on my face and make all my troubles seem a little less daunting it's sampling my favourite Comfort Foods.  I have many comfort foods to choose from depending on what kind of comfort I need (or more likely what food I have in my fridge).   Whether it's the trio of comfort: baked ham, scalloped potatoes and baked beans.  Fried or baked potatoes with dollops of sour cream.  Or Black Forest Brownies.  I do love me my comfort food!

One of my all-time, 'I can eat this dish at any time of the day or night' has got to be homemade oatmeal.  I know what you're thinking.  "Laurie, you're suck a food geek!  Oatmeal??".  Perhaps I am but stay with me here.  But I'm not talking about the kind that comes in a little pouch that you just add water too (do NOT get me started on the blasphemy that is candy 'dinosaur eggs' in oatmeal!! Yuck!).  I'm talking about the stick to your ribs, totally filling, warm the cockles of yer heart, slathered in brown sugar and encircled by milk Oatmeal/Porridge/Parritch!!   

While I'm not a porridge purist (I do enjoy the Peaches and Cream by Quaker) I much prefer whipping up some of the homemade variety when I need a pick me up or instead of something wicked in the evenings ... like chips, ice cream, cookies etc.   I figure if it's oatmeal (homemade, no less) there's got to be less calories and sinfullness.  A handful of raisins makes it an even better choice, right??  Do not question my unique and immensely compelling ability to rationalize my love of oatmeal. 

It should now come as no surprise to you that I was in my own personal nirvana when I came across this recipe for Banana Oatmeal via Pinterest.  Ahhh, Pinterest.  You are my wicked, wicked addiction but also a great way to find wonderful new recipes and fellow bloggers!  I found this recipe on Cooking Classy where blogger, Jaclyn, not only shares this delicious recipe but also has an amazing recipe for Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal (be still my heart!!) that I just have to try.  Marry the delicious treat of cinnamon rolls with oatmeal?  Yes please!!

So if you're in the mood for some comfort whip up a batch of this oatmeal, put on a Hedley CD and chill.  Ahhh, I feel comforted already. :)

1 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup buttermilk (see Tip below)
1 overripe banana, mashed
3 tbsp brown sugar, packed
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 small pinch cloves
1 pinch nutmeg
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla

Optional Garnishes -- milk, cream or chopped pecans

In a medium saucepan, bring milk and water to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in oats, buttermilk, mashed banana, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and salt.  Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove oatmeal from heat.  Stir in vanilla.  Mixture will be fairly runny still.  Cover with a lid and let it sit for 3-5 minutes.  Serve warm with garnishes, if desired.

Tip:  I very rarely buy buttermilk.  Instead, for every cup of buttermilk just add 1 tbsp of white vinegar to regular milk.  Let it sit for 5-10 minutes (it'll look chunky) before using.

Recipe inspired by: http://cookingclassy.blogspot.com/2012/01/banana-oatmeal.html

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