Cherry Almond Oatmeal Food

HEALTHY CHERRY ALMOND OATMEAL SMOOTHIE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, stir together the oats and 1/4 cup hot water, and rest for 5 minutes.
• In the pitcher of a blender, add the oat mixture, the cherries, yogurt, 2 tablespoons cold water, the honey, almond extract and a pinch of salt. Blend on high speed until very smooth. Pour into a glass and serve immediately.

OVERNIGHT CHERRY-ALMOND OATMEAL

Steps:

• In a 3-qt. slow cooker coated with cooking spray, combine all ingredients. Cook, covered, on low until oats are tender, 7-8 hours., Stir before serving. If desired, serve with additional milk.

PRESSURE-COOKER CHERRY-ALMOND OATMEAL

Steps:

• In a 6-qt. electric pressure cooker coated with cooking spray, combine first 6 ingredients. Lock lid; close pressure-release valve. Adjust to pressure-cook on high for 12 minutes. Allow pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes, then quick-release any remaining pressure. Serve with additional almond milk if desired.

CHERRY-ALMOND BAKED OATMEAL

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Spray a 9x7 casserole dish (can use 9x9 dish or the ramekins) with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
• In large bowl, combine first 7 ingredients. Stir well & pour evenly into prepared dish or ramekins. Set aside.
• In a large saucepan, combine milk, brown sugar & butter to a boil. Watch closely, as it will foam up & boil over very quickly.
• When the mixture boils, remove from heat & stir in the almond extract.
• Pour boiling mixture over dry ingredients in casserole dish or ramekins. Stir gently to distribute evenly.
• Bake uncovered in 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes or until the milk is absorbed & oats are tender. Timing will vary by a few minutes depending on the size of your dish or ramekins.
• Can be served with milk, butter or syrup, but my family prefers to eat it plain.

CHERRY-ALMOND OATMEAL COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375.
• In a small bowl combine cherries and kirsch, triple sec or hot water. Let stand for 30 minutes; drain well.
• Meanwhile, combine butter and shortening until well blended. Add brown sugar, sugar, baking soda and salt until well blended. Beat in eggs. Beat in flour until well mixed. Stir in oats. Add drained cherries and almonds.
• Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 7-9 minutes or until tops are golden. Let cookies stand on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer to wire rack; let cool.
• To store: layer cookies between waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

OATMEAL CHERRY ALMOND COOKIES

Steps:

• Cream sugar and butter. add eggs and golden syrup, mix well.
• Meanwhile cook cherries in water (to cover) in microwave for about a minute to plump them up.
• Discard half the liquid, cool.
• Mix flour, baking soda, oats and nuts together. add cherries and cooking liquid to the wet ingredients; mix well.
• Loosely fold the dry ingredients in, leave batter to sit for at least half an hour (can be refrigerated overnight, but the cookie texture will be different).
• Drop teaspoons of the batter onto a greased cookie sheet.
• Bake 13 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
• Cool before storing.
• They are soft, a little chewy, and not particularly sweet.