Sunday, March 17, 2013

No Oatmeal, No Problem

I'm 17 days into my Whole30 Challenge and I'm feeling great! For the most part the cravings have subsided. Once in a while I'll get a sugar craving, but this afternoon I wanted oatmeal! Maybe it's because it's really cold and windy out today, maybe it was because I had my dinner leftovers for breakfast, who knows, but I really wanted oatmeal.

I saw a recipe a few weeks back that made a oatmeal-ish concoction using mashed banana. Since I had a perfectly ripe banana sitting atop my fruit bowl and a little less than a cup of coconut milk (left over from making chicken curry) I figured I'd improvise and see what happens.

What I ended up with was a very satisfying no-grain alternative to oatmeal. It was delish!

Ingredients (serves 1)

1 ripe banana
1/3-1/2 cup full-fat canned coconut milk (like the kind from Thai Kitchen)
small handful of raw almonds, chopped (about 28 nuts)
1/2 a box of raisins (or one mini box)
2Tbsp nut butter of choice (I went with almond butter)
2Tbsp unsweetened flaked or shredded coconut
cinnamon to taste (I use A LOT because I LOVE cinnamon)

In a small saucepan over medium heat, break up the banana and add it to the pan with the coconut milk (start with 1/3 cup). Mash the banana with a fork. Add the nut butter and remaining ingredients. Mix well and heat through (be careful not to scald it, stir often, don't let it come to a boil). If needed, add additional coconut milk until desired consistency is reached.

What you'll end up with is a very satisfying (filled me right up), hot breakfast treat full of yummy wholesome goodness.

If you try it, let me know what you think of it:)