Add a Chill to Your Morning

This Mint Chocolate Oatmeal was refreshingly different and a cool take. It’s most likely something I won’t eat daily for breakfast, but I think this would be a fun Saturday morning breakfast during the holidays. The beauty of using steel cut oats is that you don’t need to blend the oats for a smoother consistency and they give a heartier feel to the oatmeal. I added applesauce to help cut the cacao powder and mint and to give the oatmeal some more “fruit.” The strawberries complemented the chocolate and mint flavors perfectly. I made the Mint Chocolate Oatmeal in honor of the blizzard Juno: something hearty and definitely cozy, but could still give you a chill.

Ingredients (serves 1).

• 1/2 c steel cut oats
• 1 t cacao powder
• 1/8 to 1/4 t peppermint extract (depending on how minty you’d like it)
• 1/2 t vanilla extract
• 1 T chia seeds (optional)
• 1/4 c unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 c unsweetened vanilla almond milk or milk of choice
• Agave nectar or sweetener of choice
• 4 medium strawberries, washed and sliced

Directions.

1. Combine all dry ingredients in a microwavable bowl and mix well. Add vanilla, peppermint, applesauce and almond milk or milk of choice to the oats and stir until evenly mixed. For a smoother consistency, blend ingredients in a small food processor or a small blender.
2. Transfer oatmeal to a microwavable bowl. Heat the oatmeal on 50% power for 1 min and 30 sec. If not warm enough, heat for an additional 30 sec on high power. If the consistency is too thick, add more almond milk.
3. Top with sliced strawberries.
4. Lightly drizzle with agave or sweetener of choice.
5. Enjoy!

 (On a side note, I definitely added too much of my homemade coffee creamer to my coffee so ignore how white my coffee looks. . .)