April 19, 2012

Strawberry Banana Oatmeal Brûlée


Dessert for breakfast?  Why not.  

Along with oatmeal that becomes flavorful with the sweet spice combination below, you just need some banana, strawberries, and a spoonful of sugar, "because it helps the medicine go down." Sorry, couldn't resist the Mary Poppins plug.

As you know from some of my earlier posts, I like to experiment with oatmeal to take it up a notch!  This is a delicious, healthy breakfast, and the caramelized fruit makes this seem like a dessert.  It's fancier than your normal bowl of oatmeal, but it is still simple and quick to make (total time from start to finish: 20 minutes).

The best part of creme brûlée is the top, right?  Imagine the topping of creme brûlée on top of fresh strawberries and bananas.  Yum!  You do need a kitchen torch to caramelize the fruit, but if you do not have a torch, you could also use your oven broiler (instructions are included below on the broiler method).

Oh, and before you use your kitchen torch, you may want to make sure you have some caffeine in you.  Just kidding!

Strawberry Banana Oatmeal Brûlée 
Yields 4 servings

Ingredients:
4 cups water*
2 cups rolled oats or old-fashioned oats
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 banana, thinly sliced
7 fresh strawberries, thinly sliced
1 tbsp. granulated sugar (you may need more)

Directions:
Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan.  Add the oats, reduce the heat, stir occasionally, and cook for about three to five minutes, or until most of the liquid has been absorb.  After the oats are cooked, removed from the heat and add the vanilla extract, honey, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Divide the oatmeal between four heatproof bowls.   Add sliced banana and strawberries.  Sprinkle evenly with granulated sugar; use enough to just help the fruit surface caramelize.  Light torch and heat the sugar until golden brown.  Be sure to pass the torch** slowly back and forth over fruit.  (Be careful not to overheat the sides of the bowl, or the bowl may crack.)  The strawberries will take a little longer to brown because they have a higher water content.  Serve immediately.

*If you like a creamier taste to your oatmeal, use 3 1/2 cups of water with 1/2 cup of milk (any type).
**If you do not have a torch, you can use your oven broiler to caramelize the sugar on top of the proof.  Be sure to use oven safe bowls that can withstand the broiler heat.  Watch the oatmeal carefully in the oven because the caramelizing will not take long!

Source: Slightly adapted from Annie's Eats

4 comments:

  1. This looks so yummy!!!! I can't wait to try it!

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  2. What a brilliant idea. Is there anything better than using a blowtorch in the kitchen??

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  3. GREAT pic, Super*!!! Also, been thinking about the Quinoa pancakes..I'll have to try them :)

    This looks GREAT TOO!! :)

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  4. Waaaah? I think you just blew my mind! Blowtorch and yummies. My kind of recipe :)

    ReplyDelete

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