9 Grain Fruit and Nut Cereal..Crockpot

5 Cups Water

2 Cups 9 grain cereal (7 Grain or Cracked Wheat)

1 Apple peeled and chopped

1 Cup applesauce + 1/4 water 

1/4 dried cranberries or craisins

1/4 cup rainsins

1/4 C maple syrup

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

chopped walnuts for garnish afterwards

Chocolate Oats

Chocolate Steel Cut Oats

Serves 8

• 2 C steel cut oats(not rolled oats!)
• 7 C milk(dairy or non dairy work here – even water is fine, but we like it a little creamier)
• 3 bananas, well mashed
• 1/2 C unsweetened cocoa
• 1 generous pinch of salt
• 1/4 C honey (or any other sweetener, liquid or even granulated sugar) plus more to taste

Place all ingredients in your crockpot.  Whisk together to combine the cocoa with the milk.  Set the crockpot to cook on low for 5-6 hours.  Once done, stir and serve while hot with a little extra milk and honey(or other sweetener) if desired.  Fresh fruit, especially strawberries are recommended and a drizzle of  natural peanut butter is recommended as well.

Notes:   This can easily be cooked on the stove top as well, just combine all the ingredients and cook over medium low heat for 20-30 minutes until the oats have reached the desired consistency.

Leftovers should be stored in a sealed container in the fridge and reheat well for quick breakfasts.

The bananas are noticeable in the end product.  They can be omitted, but the milk should be increased to 8 cups and the sweetener will need to be increased to at least 1/2 cup.

This recipe can easily be halved for smaller crockpots.

Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon

Slow Cooker, Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oatmeal

By Monica              Servings: 7 (3/4-cup) servings

Ingredients

• 2 apples, peeled, cored, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (2-1/2 to 3 cups chopped)
• 1-1/2 cups fat-free milk
• 1-1/2 cups water
• 1 cup uncooked steel-cut oats
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1-1/2 tablespoons butter, cut into 5-6 pieces (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon ground flax seed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Optional garnishes: chopped nuts, raisins, maple syrup, additional milk or butter

Directions

Coat inside of 3-1/2 quart (or larger) slow cooker with cooking spray. Add all ingredients (except optional toppings) to slow cooker. Stir, cover, and cook on low for 7 hours. Spoon oatmeal into bowls; add optional toppings, if desired. Store leftovers in refrigerator. Freezes well.

To reheat single servings: Put 1-cup cooked oatmeal in microwave proof bowl. Add 1/3 cup fat-free milk. Microwave on high for 1 minute; stir. Continue cooking for another minute, or until hot.

Recipe can be doubled in 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Increase cooking time 1 hour.

Weight Watchers PointsPlus: 4 pts per 3/4 cup serving