Overnight Oatmeal

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. trans-fat-free margarine
• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 1 cup chopped dried apples (3 ounces)
• 3 tbsp. granular sugar substitute
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup skim or 1 % milk
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. almond extract (optional)

Makes 8 (1-cup) Servings

1. Using the margarine, grease the bottom and 2 inches up the sides of  the liner of a 2-quart electric slow cooker or grease a 2-quart baking dish that will fit into the slow cooker or grease a 2-quart baking dish that will fit into the slow cooker. If using a baking dish, add 1/2-inch of water to the liner of a cooker.
2. Add oats, apples, sugar substitute, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the liner or baking dish. Gently add 3 1/2 cups water, milk, and vanilla, but do not stir. Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours.

WW POINTS VALUE:  3pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Super Quick Cookbook. The prep time for this oatmeal is 20 minutes but it cooks low and slow. The end result is worth it. I used really juicy, tart Granny Smith apples in this oatmeal in place of the dried apples and the oatmeal was just as creamy. I also added some nutmeg and a little almond extract to give this oatmeal a little more flavor and it was worth it. This oatmeal can be made on the weekend and will get you through the week. Whatever you don't eat you can put the rest away in the fridge. When you want some, take out 1 cup, put it in a bowl, add a little milk and put it in the microwave for 1 minute and your oatmeal is ready. One bite of this oatmeal and you'll never buy processed oatmeal at the grocery store again.