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Saturday, October 31, 2015

Triple Spice Baked Apple Oatmeal


A week of testing has come to an end. And yes I can confirm, I just can't get enough of this triple spice baked apple oatmeal. I am really delighted to share this breakfast recipe with you. I would even say it is the best breakfast treat that I have ever prepared. Next to being really delicious, it is also very convenient for all those who are no morning persons at all. I am not a morning person either, but I can ensure you that every single morning of this week I was looking forward to get ready in a heartbeat to finally savour a bowl of baked oatmeal. I added some little extra almond milk before heating it up. It would remain chunky without a problem and not resemble a usual porridge at all.

I am not sure how I could top my breakfast ever again, but I am really happy I discovered baked oatmeal. Apple-cinnamon is a great combination of which can result so many healthy comfort foods. In my quest to delivering some more delicious breakfast ideas, I will play around with these two ingredients a little more often I'd say. Many people don't like fall, but I really appreciate what the season has to offer. I am therefore also very happy that I can add yet another recipe to the apple collection. It's such a simple product, which reveals so many different flavors. I couldn't name many more with the same attribute.



For one large dish you need:

350g rolled oats
25g brown sugar
500ml almond milk
75g apple sauce
2 chopped apples
1 chopped pear
12 chopped walnuts
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
2 tsp ground vanilla
4 tbsp maple syrup


Preheat the oven to 180°

In a large bowl whisk together all the dry ingredients, notably the rolled oats, sugar, cinnamon, ground vanilla, baking powder, ground ginger and nutmeg.

In a separate bowl, mix well the almond milk, applesauce and maple syrup. Stir well until the liquids are well combined. 

Pour the liquid mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until you get an even mixture. Now add the chopped fruits, mix again until the fruits are well spread. Pour the oat mixture in a greased casserole dish. Sprinkle the walnuts over the dish. Press them a little down into the oatmeal with your fingers.

Put the casserole dish into the oven and bake for 40 minutes. Once well baked, let the oatmeal cool down for 10 minutes. 

As mentioned above, you may easily keep it 5 days in the fridge and heat it up in small portions. Drizzle a little almond milk over the oatmeal to keep moistness.  

Enjoy!!!





Monday, October 26, 2015

Maple-glazed Apple Oat Cookies


This is the very first post of my 'gifts from my kitchen' series. Cooking and baking are my passion, that's not a secret. But I also love tasting creative homemade recipes from my friends. I am surrounded by many passionate cooks or bakers and I am always happy when they bring along their treats. Many of my friends say that when I am eating, I am not simply eating, I am celebrating food. Well, that's right. Whereas many people just eat to survive, I really enjoy it. I love taking time to prepare my meals whether it be quick recipes or three course menues. I put all my love for food in it and that's why I was thinking about dedicating a whole page to this passion on my blog. 

There are so many occasions in life where you want to thank somebody for their help or support, where you want to comfort your beloved in difficult times or just want to bring along something delicious to have a cup of tea of coffee. Cooking or baking is love made edible and that's what will be spread in this section of the blog.



These apple oat cookies are a lovely treat for fall. I prepared some delicious homemade apple sauce with the apples I bought at the apple orchards in Steinsel two weeks ago. It was the first time I went there, but it was quite an adventure. There were so many different types of apples that it was difficult to choose one specific kind. Sure there are some that are better for baking or cooking, but the unique flavors of apples can transform a simple recipe into an amazing treat. For my applesauce I opted for Boskoop, because of its slightly acid note. The outcome was amazing. 

I am preparing so many things with oats these days. The nice little bag you see here above was a gift for my good friend Susanna, who recently, by simply sharing ink on Facebook contributed to an important change in my life. To thank her for this great move, I offered her a large bag of cookies.
This morning I took the half of the batch to work to collect feedback from my colleagues. My taste buds already approved them yesterday morning, but it's always good to collect a second opinion outside of my own kitchen. So far, no one complained and one even qualified them as the perfect fall cookies. 


For around 25 cookies you need:

180g brown sugar
80g caster sugar
50g butter
1 egg
160g rolled oats
200g flour
120g chunky apple sauce
1 tsp baking powder
110g sultanas

For the icing you need:
200g icing sugar
3tbsp maple syrup
3 tbsp water


Preheat the oven to 175°

In a large bowl whisk together the butter, the caster sugar and brown sugar. Add the egg and the apple sauce. Mix until you get an even batter. Now add the oats, the flour and the baking powder. Mix again then add the sultanas. 

With two table spoons form little cookies and put them on the baking tray. Be careful to let a certain distance between each of them, because with the heat they might flatten a little bit.

Banke for 12-15 minutes.

Once taken out of the oven, let them cool down several minutes on the baking tray before you place them on the cooking tray.





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