Cran-Apple Oatmeal

Growing up, my elementary school was across from my grandmother's apartment. On days when it was too cold to walk home, I would go to her apartment until my mom could pick me up after work. She'd always make me a snack, but it'd be something simple like peanut butter spread on saltine crackers. It sounds dull, but I loved it.

Along with the snack, she'd also have juice for me. I always thought her juice selections were strange and "grandma-ish," like cranberry or cran-apple. For some reason, though, drinking it at my grandma's house while I watched Arthur on PBS made it seem special, even if it wasn't my favorite.

That's what I thought of as I prepared this oatmeal. And while I took pictures of it. And while I ate it.

...And then I started craving peanut butter and saltine crackers. :)

Cran-Apple Oatmeal

by The Oatmeal Artist

Prep Time: 3 min

Cook Time: 5 min

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Ingredients (serves 1)

• 1 cup milk of choice, or water
• 1/2 cup rolled oats (I use Country Choice Organic)
• large handful of dried cranberries
• 1 small red apple
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Bring milk (I use an equal mixture of almond milk and water) to a boil, add oats, and reduce heat to medium. (If you'd like to add flax or chia seeds, do so now.)
2. Add dried cranberries (I minced mine first, but you don't have to).
3. Dice apple and add.
4. Once more of the liquid has absorbed, add vanilla extract, lemon juice, a tiny pinch of salt, and cinnamon. Stir.
5. If you'd like to add any extra ingredients (coconut oil, dried fruit, nuts, sunflower seeds), do so now. I also added vanilla almond yogurt to make mine creamier.
6. When you're pleased with the consistency of the oatmeal, transfer to a bowl. Serve with another splash of your milk of choice and some more dried cranberries (or cranberry sauce!).

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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!