Do you have over-night company? Would you like to spend more time with them over a cup of coffee in the morning, or would you like to be throwing something together last minute? This dish can be prepared a day or two ahead of your company and then magically thrown into the oven when you wake up and your guests wake up to the most wonderful aroma encasing your home. AND… It tastes great!!! It certainly will remind you of apple crisp but it’s more. I had my doubts about this, as a breakfast, but it was delicious and there was enough for us to have another breakfast in a day or two. We all liked ours with a little almond milk on top. (Unflavored, original almond milk, 30 calories…NOT VANILLA!) . You can add a little more maple syrup on top, if you like things a little sweeter.
To top off this amazing breakfast, we took it outside…wrapped up in a blanket, turned on the fire pit and space heater and voila…the perfect vacation way to start a day. Warm on the outside and warm and tasty going to the insides. AHHHHH!!!
2 1/4 c. gluten free rolled oats
2 TBL. coconut sugar (brown sugar)
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. fine sea salt
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 c. unsweetened almond milk
1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
1/4 c. pure maple syrup (or agave syrup if you’re counting carbs)
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 apples, peeled and diced
1 ripe pear, peeled and diced
1/2 c. chopped walnuts (optional)
Mix everything all together. The mixture will have a soupy consistency.. Pour into a lightly greased 2 quart casserole dish…if you are using the nuts, sprinkle these on top and press down into the oatmeal with your hands. Bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes (apples will be fork tender) Cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. You can add almond milk and more maple syrup or agave syrup if you like it sweeter.
You can prepare this ahead of time. Cover your dish and refrigerate (before baking) You may have to stir gently to redistribute the milk. Place your cold casserole dish in the cold oven and set the temp to 375. (You don’t want your cold dish to crack in a hot oven do you??)
