Fig and Banana Muesli

I know hundreds of people in my own neighborhood live without a roof over their head or food to eat. They can barely afford a loaf of bread, let alone figs. Still, I have to say that not having gas really sucks. Cold showers suck. Not having a functional stove sucks. Not having an oven that heats up sucks.

Luckily, I've had dozens of recipes from July to post, but those are running out. I'm eager to "stay ahead" of the posts. I don't like feeling pressure to slap a post together just for the sake of staying on schedule.  Moreover, I just have to admit that eating overnight oatmeal cold is just not my thing.

Oh yeah, did I mention I don't have a microwave either?!


But finally a few days ago, I realized I had a better option: muesli! I much prefer muesli to cold overnight oats. Yes, overnight oats are creamy and wonderful, but if I'm going to eat cold cereal, I'd rather it be in the form of muesli.

This recipe was fantastic. To be honest, these figs earned the prestigious honor of being the first I've ever purchased and eaten! That's right, I'd never had a fig before this week. I had to ask Allison whether to buy black or green, and how to eat them, and if the skin was edible. These little things were freaking the crap out of me.

I cut into one first and just took a small bite of the juicy pink center. Interestingly, I found it somewhat void of flavor, similar to how pears don't have a lot of flavor (I'm always hatin' on pears, I know...). However, my first taste of fig pleased me enough that I went back for more. And more. And more.

I think I'm a fan.

For my muesli, I combined oats with pecans, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds. I would have loved to use raisins or even dried blueberries. Pepitas would have been divine as well. Unfortunately, having just moved in to my new apartment (whattup, Brooklyn?!) and being disgracefully poor, my pantry is rather poorly stocked. It was lucky enough that I even had these items!

Fig and Banana Muesli

by The Oatmeal Artist

Prep Time: 5 min

Cook Time: 0 min

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Ingredients (serves 1)

• 1/2 cup rolled or quick oats (I use Country Choice Organic)
• 1/3 cup nuts, seeds, and/or dried fruit (pecans are excellent in this)
• 1/2 a banana
• 3 black figs

Instructions

1. Combine oats with whatever nuts or dried fruit you're choosing to use.
2. Slice banana and cut the figs into quarters on top of muesli.
3. Serve with your favorite milk or on top of your favorite yogurt.

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**You can also find hundreds of other oatmeal recipes (as well as tons of other meatless recipes) on my Pinterest account!  You can also like The Oatmeal Artist on Facebook. Thanks!