Carrot Cake-Style Steel Cut Oats

I have been trying to incorporate fresh vegetables into my breakfast routine. Usually, this is done by peeling a carrot and eating it after I've eaten my steel cut oats. As a way to combine two steps into one, I came up with the idea of "carrot cake" style oats. It's simple and it works!

For 2 servings:

Bring 1 1/4 cup of lightly salted water to a boil

Add 1/2 cup steel-cut oats

Reduce heat to very low and allow to simmer, covered, for 4 minutes

Meanwhile:

finely shred 2 carrots

coarsely chop about 1/2 cup walnuts

measure out 1/4 cup of raisins & 2 Tablespoons flaxseed meal

When the oats have simmered for 4 minutes, remove from heat. The water will not have all been absorbed. Add the carrots, walnuts, raisins and flaxseed meal to the pan of oats along with:

a pinch of ground cloves

1/4 teaspoons cinnamon

1-2 Tablespoons brown rice syrup

Stir to combine all. Replace the pan lid, and allow to sit for about 10 - 15 minutes.

This dish smells great and is a hearty, satisfying breakfast full of fiber, beta carotene and omega-3's. Enjoy!