walnuts

Instant Carrot Cake Oatmeal

By in Breakfast, GF Mains 8 Comments Tags: , , , , , ,

carrot cake oatmeal

We’ve been trying to find more ways to incorporate veggies into our breakfasts. Fruit is a lot easier to work into breakfast then veggies seem to be. A raw apple verses a raw carrot first thing in the morning? Apple please. So I’ve been getting creative with taking our go-to breakfasts and working veggies in, in a tasty way that you actually want to eat them first thing in the morning.

This oatmeal has become one of our favourites. It’s an instant oatmeal, but it uses rolled oats instead of instant. I can’t stand the texture of instant oatmeal, so this is a must for me. We like the versatility of making individual servings in the microwave because it’s quick, I can whip one up fresh when each person comes to the table, and everyone can customize their own easily. I can’t even remember the last time I made a big batch on the stove.

Filled with carrots, spices and maple syrup (or brown sugar) this oatmeal tastes remarkably like carrot cake. And, when you top it with walnuts and raisins, it just seals the deal. If grating carrots first thing in the morning sounds like too much work then grate a batch earlier in the week to have on hand for breakfasts. A food processor with a grating attachment makes quick work of it.

Enjoy some veggies for breakfast. I promise, it won’t be a chore. ;)

carrot cake oatmeal

Instant Carrot Cake Oatmeal

To make this gluten-free use gluten-free certified oats.

  • 1/3 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup grated carrots, packed
  • pinch salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • pinch of ground cloves, ginger and nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup hot water
  • 1 tablespoon raisins
  • 1-2 tablespoon chopped walnuts
  • splash of milk or almond milk for serving

Place oats, carrots, salt, spices, syrup and water in a microwavable bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes. Stir. If needed continue microwaving in 30 second intervals until desired consistency. Top with raisin, walnuts and milk just before serving.

Serves: 1

Rhubarb Crisp

By in Fruit, Mothers Day, Pastries, Sweets 31 Comments Tags: , ,

rhubarb crumble

Now that spring is around the corner the fruits will be plentiful and begging to be used in our favourite desserts. I love making crisps because they’re so easy to throw together and the flavour of the fruit always shines through. I came across a crisp recipe a year or so ago that has been my go to for all my crisp toppings. In fact I like to make dry batches and keep them on hand so that if I have some fruit that needs using up or we’re just in the mood for a crisp, I can whip one up with even less hassle. It stays true to it’s name and stays nice and crisp for days after. With the crunch of walnuts and warmth of cinnamon I could seriously eat the topping all on it’s own.

The weather has been so glorious this week. It actually feels like spring! These warmer days and melting snow can’t help but lift your spirits. Max has been enjoying splashing in the puddles and streams that are flowing down the hills. And, I’m enjoying getting out of the house. Can you say cabin fever!

I’m also enjoying being in the kitchen more. I strap Alli in her baby carrier, put some music on for Max to dance to and get to work. The rocking motion and occasional hip wiggle seems to lull her to sleep. This week the weather inspired me to get in the kitchen and make my favourite Rhubarb Crisp.

Rhubarb will be starting to make it’s appearance soon in most of the world. Here we don’t get it until the beginning of the summer so I used up the last of the stuff that I froze in August. It definitely got me in the mood for Spring. And, now I can’t wait to see the fresh stalks at the grocers again.

What is your favourite springtime dessert?

One Year Ago: Sweet & Sour Chicken Balls

Rhubarb Crisp

Rhubarb Filling
  • 4 cups chopped fresh or frozen (thawed) rhubarb
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  1. Place rhubarb in an 8×8 pan or divide between 6 ramekins.
  2. Mix together sugar and cornstarch in a small saucepan, stir in water. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour over rhubarb.
Crisp Topping

adapted from Fresh with Anna Olson

  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • pinch salt
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 5 tablespoons butter, melted
  1. Mix together flour, oats, sugar, cinnamon, salt and walnuts. Stir in melted butter until even distributed. Crumble over filling.
  2. Bake at 350ºF for 45 min or until rhubarb is cooked through and filling is bubbly.

Makes enough for an 8×8 inch square (9 inch round) baking pan or 6 ramekins.

To Make Crisp Topping Ahead
  1. Mix together flour, oats, sugar, cinnamon, salt and nuts.
  2. Store in an airtight container or plastic bag. (If you’re worried about the nuts going rancid before use, you can store the mixture in the freezer)
  3. To use: Mix in melted butter and crumble over top of fruit.

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Rhubarb Crunch Coffee Cake

By in Breakfast, Cakes, Easter, Snacks, Sweets 20 Comments Tags: , , , ,

Rhubarb Crunch Coffe Cake

One of the {food} things I miss most about not being in Canada is watching the Food Network. I have a couple of favourite Canadian chefs and I often go back to the website to check out their new recipes. When I saw that Food Network had a Cooking Club Challenge every month and that they were cooking a recipe of Anna Olson’s {one of my all time favourite chef’s} I felt inspired to join the ranks.

The original recipe is for a Sour Cream Apple Coffee Cake but I adapted it to be a bit more seasonal by replacing the apples with chopped fresh rhubarb and adding a bit more brown sugar to balance it out. The crunch of walnuts along with the light crumb, crusty caramelized outer shell and slight tartness from the rhubarb make this perfect for a spring brunch or afternoon snack.

Rhubarb Crunch Coffee Cake

adapted from Sugar

Cake
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  1. Cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time.
  2. Add vanilla and sour cream. Stir to combine.
  3. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Stir into wet ingredients just until incorporated.
Crunch Topping
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup walnut pieces
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
  1. Combine ingredients until evenly moistened.
Rhubarb
  • 2 cups diced rhubarb
  • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
  1. Stir together rhubarb and brown sugar.
Assembly
  1. Spoon half of the cake batter into a greased 8 inch square cake pan. Smooth top.
  2. Sprinkle half of the crunch topping over batter in pan. Top with remaining batter and smooth out.
  3. Combine remaining crunch topping and rhubarb. Sprinkle over all.
  4. Bake for 55-60 minutes at 350ºF until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean.

Makes: 9-12 servings

* I made mine in two 6 inch round cake pans but they overflowed quite a bit so I would suggest sticking with the 8 inch square.

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