Spiced Oatmeal with Dried Apricots & Walnuts

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup steel-cut oats
• 12 dried apricots, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
• 1 1 /2 tsp. sugar-free pancake syrup
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• salt

Makes 4 (1/2 cup) Servings

1.  Heat oven or toaster oven to 275° F. Spread walnuts on a baking tray and bake until fragrant and toasted, 8-10 minutes. Roughly chop.
2. MICROWAVE INSTRUCTIONS: While the nuts are toasting, combine water, oats, apricots, syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in an 8-cup microwave-safe bowl (the size of the bowl is important as it must allow the oats to bubble up without spilling over). Cover with plastic wrap, vent, and cook at full power 5-7 minutes. Stir, replace plastic wrap, and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, until liquid is mostly absorbed. Sprinkle with nuts and serve.
3. STOVETOP DIRECTIONS: Combine water and oats in a medium saucepan; soak overnight. Add apricots, syrup, and salt and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid absorbed, 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle each serving with nuts and cinnamon.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Quick & Easy Cookbook. Oatmeal can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You can make homemade oatmeal at home and enjoy it throughout the week. This quick and easy oatmeal is made from steel-cut oats which are a favorite on South Beach because of dense texture and high levels of protein, iron and fiber. You can also add a touch of nutmeg alongside cinnamon to this oatmeal or substitute almonds and your oatmeal is still delicious. One bite of this oatmeal and you will never buy processed oatmeal at the grocery store again.