Peach oatmeal

I've been inspired by a breakfast suggestion from the incomparable Diet Girl. I've always known oatmeal is healthy, but it's so often just insipid and bland. Her idea of adding pears and almond butter to oatmeal was a huge revelation for me. I adore fresh pears, but the canned ones just aren't quite the same. So I subbed in peaches and tweaked a few details to come up with my own version of fruity oatmeal. Seriously, this stuff is much better than you remember, and has a heck of a lot fewer calories than you'd think. One key to great flavor: use the liquid from the canned peaches (instead of water) to make the oatmeal. It imparts a great extra-peachy flavor.

Peach Oatmeal

yield: 1 serving

1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 can of sliced peaches in lite syrup (ie: in pear juice)
1/4 cup milk
1 tbsp crunchy almond butter

* Add the oats, milk, sliced peaches, and (this is crucial!) the pear juice from the canned peaches to a microwave-proof bowl.

* Microwave on high for 2 minutes (enough time to scratch your cat and get the coffee started!)

* Cut the almond butter into the oatmeal. It's easiest to mix in the almond butter if you have it on a spoon, then use that spoon to chop up the sliced peaches.

You can also sub pears in, if you prefer those. And ground flax seeds make a nice nutty addition if you're out of almond butter. I'd love to hear some other variations if you have ideas!