Carrot & Peanut Butter Oatmeal!

My husband did a really sweet thing for me today.  When I saw my surprise I was so so soooooooo happy!  He got me a cupcake from Crumbs Bake Shop in Manhattan.  So thoughtful!

Yes, it doesn't take much to please me... when in doubt... just get me a cupcake or make me some tea or take me out for some Mexican or just fly me away to Europe or some island... yup, it doesn't take much to please me!  🙂  Now although I was really happy by his gesture, I jokingly let it be known, "didn't you read my review on Crumbs Bake Shop, it's so average and overly sweet.  Why didn't you get me Billy's or Magnolia?"  He said, "You always complain, just be happy I got you a cupcake and I didn't see any other bakeries around."  Yeah, I know, I complain, but how else was I suppose to let him know what bakeries I like, he's not a mind reader, and obviously not my blog reader either.  🙁

Well, whatever!  He got us a Coconut Cupcake which was surprisingly pretty damn good - I only ate half of it.  He also picked up a Cookies n Cream Cupcake which I thought was very average.  I enjoyed the Coconut Cupcake with my cuppa in the evening.  Quite honestly, Crumbs Cupcakes are HUGE and 1 cupcake can easily be shared between 2 people - just a tip!

Back to being healthy!  This morning I woke up and in the mood to experiment a new oatmeal recipe.  In the past I've made Gajar Ka Halwa which is an Indian Carrot Pudding that can be found here and here.  I figured I'd use a similar technique by boiling milk and carrots together to form hot oatmeal.  Unfortunately I did not have raisins on hand, but if you'd like to add raisins, go ahead and add 1 tbsp.  This oatmeal was filling and it tasted awesome!  I surprised myself today!  🙂

TELL ME: How does your husband surprise you in little ways?  

NUTRITION: Carrots are LOADED with Vitamin A (eyes).  Also, it is a very good source of Fiber, Vitamins C and K.  Oats help reduce cholesterol and are a good source of Protein and Fiber. Milk is a very good source of Calcium and Vitamin D.  It is also a good source of Protein, Vitamins A and K.  Walnuts are an excellent source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids. 

INGREDIENTS:

• Quaker Old-Fashioned Oats - ⅓ cup
• Water - ½ cup
• Milk 1% Low Fat - ½ cup
• Carrot - 1 medium size (finely grated... should result in a ¼ to ⅓ cup)
• Cinnamon - ½ tsp
• Vanilla Extract - ½ tsp
• Brown Sugar - 2 tsp
• Raisins - 1 tablespoon (optional)
• Peanut Butter - 1 dollop (shown below)
• Walnuts - just a few on top
  

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a small pot, add oats.

  
2. Add water.

3. Add milk.  Turn on the stove on dial #3 (low heat).

4. In the meantime, grate a medium size carrot.

5. Add grated carrots to the oat mixture.

6. Combine. 

7. Add cinnamon.

8. Add vanilla extract.

9. Add brown sugar.

10. At this point you can add raisins if you want.  


11. Keep stirring until the oatmeal has completely heated through.  You can increase the heat slightly... once it starts bubbling like crazy, you know you are done.  Should only be a couple minutes.

12. Transfer to a bowl.

13. Top with peanut butter.  I totally recommend buying Whole Foods Organic Peanut Butter with no salt or sugar - it is smooth, creamy, you can literally pour it out of the jar.  I LOVE IT!  It's $3.50 a jar and the Best Peanut Butter EVER!

14. Top with walnuts.  Enjoy!

TELL ME: How does your husband surprise you in little ways?