Apricot Honey Oatmeal Food

LIGHTLY TOASTED OVERNIGHT STEEL-CUT OATMEAL WITH HONEY-ROASTED APRICOTS AND PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Spread the oats on a baking sheet in an even layer and bake, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted, about 15 minutes.
• In a large pot, bring 8 cups of water and the sea salt to a boil. Stir in the toasted oatmeal and cook for 1 minute. Cover the pot tightly and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.
• The next morning, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Put the apricot quarters in a medium glass roasting pan and bake until slightly softened, about 10 minutes.
• While the apricots roast, combine the apricot nectar, honey, cloves and cinnamon sticks in a medium skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the baked apricots and any pan juices and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apricots are well caramelized and the liquid is syrupy, about 5 minutes.
• Return the chilled oatmeal to the stove and cook over low heat until heated through. Stir in the warm milk and cook until incorporated.
• Spoon the oatmeal into bowls, top with some of the apricots with syrup and sprinkle with pistachios. Drizzle with rose water if desired.

MOST AWESOME APRICOT OATMEAL BARS

Steps:

• 1. Combine apricots and water and cook in a small covered pan for 10 minutes at medium heat. Remove the lid and continue to cook until apricots are tender and almost all of the water has evaporated. Add preserves, 1 tablespoon sugar, and almond extract. Stir and cook until preserves are melted and everything is well mixed. Remove from heat and cool.
• 2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine butter, brown sugar, honey, flour, oats, baking powder and salt. Mix together well. Press 1/2 of this mixture in the bottom of a 9 by 13 inch baking pan. Spread cooled filling over crust spreading evenly. Top with remaining oatmeal-flour mixture. Press down on top gently to get air gaps out.
• 3. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Do not over-bake. Remove from oven. Cool slightly. Run a knife around the edges of pan to loosen and then cut in bars. After cutting, leave in pan to cool completely.

APRICOT OAT BARS

Steps:

• Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 by 13 by 2-inch metal baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray. Line the bottom and sides of the pan with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper with vegetable oil cooking spray and set aside.
• Filling: In a small bowl, mix together the jam and the apricots. Set aside.
• Crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Stir in the oats and walnuts. Add the butter, egg and vanilla and stir until incorporated.
• Using a fork or clean fingers, lightly press half of the crust mixture onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Using a spatula, spread the filling over the crust leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge of the pan. Cover the filling with the remaining crust mixture and gently press to flatten. Bake until light golden, about 30 to 35 minutes. Cool for 1 hour. Cut into bars and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

APRICOT OAT CAKES

Steps:

• Thoroughly grind rolled oats in food processor or blender. Mix with flour and baking powder.
• In a separate bowl, "cream" together yogurt, dry sweetner, honey and vanilla. In yet another bowl, lightly beat egg white until it gets bubbly but not stiff. Fold egg white into wet ingredients. Add dried fruit.
• Combine wet and dry ingredients. The dough gets pretty stiff and is hard to mix. You may even have to dive in there with your hands and squish it together. Add water if the mixture is too dry. Form into 12 patties.
• Bake at 325 degrees F for 15 minutes on a non-stick cookie sheet. Cool completely and store in refrigerator. These keep well and may be frozen.

HONEY CINNAMON OATMEAL

Steps:

• Mix all the ingredients together in a microwave-safe bowl. Nuke for 1-2 minutes.