Baked Blueberry Oatmeal

The number of private fitness centers, yoga, bar, and pilates studios, and indoor cycling facilities located in my hometown have increased significantly over the past couple of years. They almost rival the number of local restaurants. Last year at this time I can now honestly admit I was a little intimated to go into any of them. It seemed everyone I saw walking into or working in them looked as if they could be featured on the next covers of Women's/Men's Fitness, Self, or Shape magazines. I imagined their physical and cardio endurance, flexibility, and strength to be at the same levels as Olympians. Even having one of those well-coordinated, stylish, high tech, high end workout wardrobes wasn't enough to give me the confidence to walk into any of those intimidating places. I felt 'invisible' running on the streets and running path with my friends, however, the idea of being in rooms surrounded by mirrors was almost too much for my insecure self to handle. Remember the episode on Friends where Chandler, in response to Monica's claim the camera added ten pounds to her prom picture, asked her 'So how many cameras were actually on you?'. Well, in a weird sort of way, that irrationally explains how I feel standing in a room of "circus" mirrors (if cameras add ten pounds, mirrors must add...twenty?). Fortunately, all (well maybe a significant amount) of that paralyzing anxiety subsided and I found myself not just walking by, but walking in to a fitness center and yoga studio. What could have caused such a significant shift in attitude? Reading a significant number of articles on the importance of cross-training to improve my running and health? Nope. A running injury subsequently leading me to discover some my internal body levels were more than a little less to be desired? Nope. Being surrounded by a small circle of friends (aka 'my posse') who also wanted to experience better versions of themselves? Yep.

Unscientific proof there really can be positive, transformational power emanating from the colloquialism 'the more the merrier'. Or is it 'misery loves company'? Whether it's one or the other or both, my perceptions, endurance, and strength have all changed for the better. Although mirrors still make me anxious.

This past weekend I had a craving for oatmeal. Growing a little tired of my usual yogurt, almonds, and dried cranberries concoction, I needed something warm to eat. Something on the healthy side.

I came across a baked oatmeal recipe made with two of my favorite fruits: bananas and blueberries. Only I don't like them together in the same dish. So I made a few changes to it.

Nuts, oatmeal, and blueberries. A health food trifecta! 

Combine them with some real maple syrup, whole milk, heavy cream, an egg, a little bit of melted butter, some sea salt, baking powder, and a generous amount of cinnamon and you have the makings of a deeply delicious, satisfying baked oatmeal dish. 

Surprisingly fresh blueberries were available at the grocery store this week. However, you can use frozen ones. Additionally, you can make this baked oatmeal with other fruit combinations. Blueberries and blackberries, blueberries and raspberries, or blueberries, blackberries and raspberries are just a few of them. In assembling the baked oatmeal, two thirds of the oatmeal lines the bottom of a buttered glass or ceramic baking dish. The remaining one third will end up sprinkled over the top.

Think of this Baked Blueberry Oatmeal dish as a layered one. Blueberries on the bottom, followed next by the oatmeal/nut mixture, then the maple sugar/milk mixture, and finally a finish of more blueberries and walnuts.

In a preheated 375 degree (F) oven, the oatmeal bakes for 35-45 minutes or until the top is beautifully browned and the oatmeal is set. Maybe because my baking dish was deep, my baking time was slightly over the 45 minute mark. 

After removing from the oven top with the remaining one and a half tablespoons of melted butter and allow the Baked Blueberry Oatmeal to rest for about five minutes before serving. Pouring a little maple syrup over the top of each individual serving is optional, but one of those options that should be required. 

If you are looking for a new breakfast or brunch dish to serve your family, friends, or posse, make this one. In a little more than hour, the entire Baked Blueberry Oatmeal can be assembled, baked and served. But make it for yourself as it reheats perfectly. Quite possibly you might find yourself craving oatmeal even more after tasting it. Sort of like me now craving yoga and high intensity workouts now that I experienced them.

Recipe
Baked Blueberry Oatmeal (slight adaptation to Heidi Swanson's Baked Oatmeal recipe from her book Super Natural Every Day: Well Loved Recipes from My Natural Foods Kitchen)

Ingredients
2 cups old-fashioned oats (Recommend Quaker Old-Fashioned Oats)
1/2 cup walnut halves, toasted, coarsely chopped and divided
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 - 2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
1 1/2 cups whole milk (See Notes)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 large egg
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and divided
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 to 3 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
Additional maple syrup for serving

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F). Butter an 8 or 9 inch glass or ceramic baking dish and set aside.
2. In a medium sized bowl, combine the oatmeal, 2/3 of the walnuts, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir to combine.
3. In a separate medium sized bowl or large glass measure cup, combine the milk, cream, vanilla, maple syrup, 1 1/2 Tablespoons melted butter, and egg. Whisk to combine.
4. Layer 2/3 of the blueberries on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
5. Spread the oat mixture evenly over the blueberries.
6. Pour the milk/maple syrup over the top. Press down gently to ensure the oat mixture is completely submerged in the liquid.
7. Scatter the remaining 1/3 blueberries and 1/3 walnuts over the top.
8. Place baking dish on a baking pan. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until the top is golden and the oat mixture has set. Note: My baking time was closer to 50 minutes.
9. Remove from oven and allow to rest for several minutes.
10. Top with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons melted butter and, if desired, drizzle additional maple syrup over individual servings.

Notes: (1) Can use 2 cups of whole milk instead of the milk/heavy cream mixture.  Or alternately use 1 cup whole milk and 1 cup heavy cream. (2) I used two teaspoons of cinnamon because I like for there to be a discernible cinnamon flavor in my oatmeal. Feel free to use only 1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon. (3) Fresh or frozen blueberries can be used. Can also use a combination of fruits (i.e., blueberries/blackberries, blueberries/blackberries/raspberries, etc.) (4) My baking time was just slightly over 45 minutes as I had used a deep baking dish. Begin checking at 35 minutes if using a shallow baking dish. Be sure to let the Baked Blueberry Oatmeal rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. (5) This Baked Blueberry Oatmeal reheats perfectly and is as yummy as it is coming out of the oven.

Grazing horses on a blue sky, bitter cold winter day.