Here’s an easy way to make oatmeal a little more exciting…it’s called Cranberry-Pecan Oatmeal! I used old-fashioned oats, but you could use quick oats or instant oatmeal…whatever you like making best (just adjust the cooking time for the quick or instant oats, which will be less). The dried cranberries add some sweetness and the chopped pecans add a nice crunchiness!
This recipe is for one serving, so you’ll need to increase the amounts for the number of servings you want. I’m including directions for both stove top and microwave cooking. If you’re going to have oatmeal for breakfast, you may as well make it yummy, right? 🙂
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CRANBERRY-PECAN OATMEAL by NancyC
Makes 1 serving
- 3/4 cup oats (I used Quaker Oats® Old Fashioned Oats)
- 1 1/2 cups water or milk
- Dash of salt (optional)
- 2 Tablespoons dried cranberries, plus an additional 1/2 to 1 Tablespoon for garnish
- 1 Tablespoon coarsely chopped pecans, plus an additional 1/2 to 1 Tablespoon for garnish (you could also substitute walnuts for the pecans)
- 1/2 to 1 Tablespoon honey (to drizzle over oatmeal)
- additional milk to serve with oatmeal, if desired
STOVE TOP DIRECTIONS: Put water or milk in a pot, add a dash of salt, and bring to a boil. Stir in oats and cook about 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally (I used old-fashioned oats, so if you’re using quick or instant oats, see directions on your container or package of oats). Remove pot from heat and stir 2 Tablespoons of dried cranberries into the hot oatmeal—they’ll plump as you stir them in—and then stir in 1 Tablespoon of chopped pecans. Spoon oatmeal into a serving bowl and add a little milk if desired. Sprinkle 1/2 to 1 Tablespoon each of dried cranberries and chopped pecans over oatmeal for garnish, and drizzle 1/2 to 1 Tablespoon honey over everything as a finishing touch!
MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS: Combine water or milk, salt, and oats in a medium-size microwave bowl; microwave on High for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes for old-fashioned oats; see package directions for quick or instant oatmeal. Stir 2 Tablespoons of dried cranberries into the hot oatmeal—they’ll plump as you stir them in—and then stir in 1 Tablespoon of chopped pecans. Spoon oatmeal into a serving bowl and add a little milk if desired. Sprinkle 1/2 to 1 Tablespoon each of dried cranberries and chopped pecans for garnish, and drizzle 1/2 to 1 Tablespoon honey over your oatmeal.
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Hope you enjoy this healthy, yummy way to serve oatmeal! 🙂 Do you make oatmeal for breakfast often?
Sharing at Meal Plan Sunday, Farmhouse Friday, Weekend Potluck, Full Plate Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Homestead Blog Hop, LouLou Girls, Wonderful Wednesday, Inspire Me Monday, Happiness is Homemade.
NancyC 
That looks and sounds delicious! It just might be breakfast this morning!
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I just posted on banana nut oatmeal! You may enjoy it als well. I’ll make sure to try yours too!
http://lampnsofa.wordpress.com/2011/01/09/recipe-banana-bread-oatmeal/
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Such a great and simple oatmeal recipe. Great post
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I love Cranberry and Pecans, putting this on oatmeal makes me wanna have there for everyday breakfast
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Yum … I’m making this for breakfast tomorrow! Thanks for sharing.
Visiting from Under the Table and Dreaming.
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mmmm…looks good. And good for you. I love anything with cranberries but I’ve never thought to add it to my oatmeal (not sure why since I add it to oatmeal cookies). I’ll be giving this a try. Thanks for sharing.
I’m stopping by from Tasty Tuesday.
Jenn
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Thanks for stopping by, Jen! 🙂
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What a perfect breakfast to start a wintry day 🙂 LOVE Oatmeal!
Wanted to invite you to participate in a weekly Event I host titled Seasonal SUndays! This recipe (and many others that you have) Fits the theme!
xo, Brittany
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Great! Thanks for letting me know about Seasonal Sundays! 🙂
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I made something very similar only used almonds. Yours looks delicious as well, but I’ve long contended that nothing is better on a cold morning that hot oatmeal.
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That’s so true! 🙂
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I am eating more oats too and always try something new with fruit and nuts in mine!
I will have to try your cranberries and pecans…haven’t done that yet..
I did however put some low fat butter in a saute pan and tossed a serving of walnuts and half an apple diced up small around in the butter until they browned a little… Then I added them to my oatmeal when it was half cooked so the flavors would combine while it finished cooking…Added some cinnamon and nutmeg and drizzled with 1 tsp honey…Boy was that delicious!
Some mornings I add a serving of blueberries to my oats after I finish cooking them..Then add cinnamon and enjoy! No butter and no honey…The blueberries are enough to sweeten it all by themselves. 🙂
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Your oatmeal ideas sound delicious! Thanks for sharing them–I will definitely try them out! 🙂
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Nancy, it sure makes the oatmeal look pretty – much more appetizing than it looks without the additions. Thank you for sharing this idea, and for linking to Favorite Things. laurie
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Yum! The perfect winter breakfast! Would love for you to come and visit me at Sew Chatty and link up to Made With Love Monday! http://sewchatty.blogspot.com
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