Oatmeal with Maple Syrup and Dried Fruit

One of my fave oatmeal recipes- yummy and heart healthy (high in soluble fibre)!

In a medium saucepan make some oatmeal porridge (1 cup old fashioned large flake oats to 2 cups liquid – I use half skim milk and half water, plus a pinch of salt). Simmer on the stove on medium heat stirring often until it bubbles. Take off heat and cover the porridge and let it sit for about 5 minutes.

In a small saucepan measure 1/4 cup maple syrup (or less) and 1/4 cup water. Simmer this mixture for about 5 minutes on medium heat, stirring once or twice until it is slightly reduced. Take the simple syrup off the heat and add 1/2 cup of dried fruit and let it soak for 2 minutes – (I used raisins and dried cranberries.) Drain the fruit but keep the reserved liquid. Add 1/2 cup skim milk to the maple syrup liquid and heat until warm.

Spoon some of the porridge into a serving bowl, top with some of the maple syrup flavored fruit and then cover with the warm maple syrup milk.

Enjoy!!

Sarah