Peanut Butter Oatmeal

Lately I've been craving peanut butter — a lot! Almost every day and all day, it seems. I don't know whether my body is telling to fill up on proteins after stirring from the long winter slumber, but fortunately peanut butter is a delicious way to get protein.

Inspired both by the craving itself and by the recent success of adding peanut butter to rice cooking water for a simple and tasty side dish, this quick and easy oatmeal is cooked in coconut milk and water with natural peanut butter and a little cinnamon and nutmeg. The result is a warm, creamy and wonderfully "peanutty" porridge that adds a little protein kick to your breakfast to help start the day.

Do try it, you'll be pleased with how easy and tasty it is — and a little more filling than the usual oatmeal porridge. Use smooth or crunchy natural peanut butter, but the crunchy peanut butter gives the oatmeal a nice contrast in textures.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal

Recipe by Lisa Turner Published on June 6, 2014 Quick and easy oatmeal porridge for two cooked with peanut butter for a tasty protein boost Print this recipe Oats: 1 cup rolled or steel-cut oats 1 cup water Other ingredients: 3/4 cup coconut milk 1/2 cup water 1/3 cup natural peanut butter 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon pinch of ground nutmeg pinch of sea salt 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1 to 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional) Instructions: Combine the oats and 1 cup of water in a small glass or ceramic bowl. Let stand overnight at room temperature. Combine the coconut milk, 1/2 cup of water, peanut butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a low boil over medium heat, stirring to incorporate the peanut butter into the water. As soon as the water is boiling, stir in the oats and vanilla, and immediately turn the heat down to low. Cook, stirring constantly, until the oatmeal has thickened to your liking. Add more water as necessary. If using honey or maple syrup, stir in right before taking the oatmeal off the stove. Serve hot as is, or with raisins, diced apples or nuts. Makes 2 servings

Other oatmeal porridge ideas:
Chai Spice Oatmeal
Lemon Curd Oatmeal
Oat Porridge for Two
Oat Porridge and Fruit

On the top of the reading stack: Dead Souls by Gogol (it's a lengthy read but worth every hour invested)

Audio Accompaniment: the washing machine