Baked Oatmeal with Blueberries and Bananas

This recipe is perfect for brunch. Plus, it makes an easy meal prep for the week ahead—leftovers taste just as good when reheated!

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 medium ripe bananas, (the riper the better) sliced into 1/2″ pieces
  • 2 cups blueberries
  • ½ cup honey or agave
  • 1 cup uncooked quick oats
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 cup fat free milk or oat milk from Trader Joe’s
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375° F.  Lightly spray an 8 x 8″ ceramic baking dish with cooking spray and then set aside.

Next, arrange the banana slices in a single layer on the bottom of the ceramic dish. Sprinkle half of the blueberries over the bananas, 1 tsp of the cinnamon, and 1 tbsp of the honey. Cover with foil and bake 15 minutes or until the bananas soften.

While bananas are softening, combine the oats, half the walnuts or pecans, baking powder, remaining cinnamon, and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Stir together.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining honey, milk, egg, and vanilla extract.

Once bananas are softened, remove them from the oven. Pour the oat mixture over the bananas and blueberries.

Then, pour the milk mixture over the oats, making sure to distribute the mixture as evenly as possible.  Sprinkle the remaining blueberries and walnuts over the top.

Bake the oatmeal for about 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the oatmeal has set. Serve warm.

Cowboy Burgers

These burgers are loaded with flavor! This recipe is versatile enough to make ‘em spicy or you can ditch the heat to keep it mild—just adjust the jalapeno seed accordingly! Plus, these patties freeze great so you can save them for later.

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 lb. lean ground beef
  • 1 package of Trader Joe’s Shredded 3 Cheese Blend (Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and Cheddar)
  • 4 – 6 strips of bacon, cooked and chopped (bake the bacon on a sheet pan in the oven)
  • 2 – 3 whole jalapenos diced (with or without the seeds depending on preference)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 Tbsps. Worcestershire sauce
  • Fresh black pepper, to taste
  • Brioche buns
  • 8 cloves roasted garlic (if desired)

INSTRUCTIONS

Place the bacon strips on a sheet pan and bake until desired crispiness. Once cooled, chop the bacon into bite-size pieces and add to a large mixing bowl. Dice the onion and jalapenos and mix with bacon. Stir in ground beef, cheese, both eggs, and Worcestershire sauce. Add fresh black pepper to taste (and, if desired, the roasted garlic). Stir well.

Using a ½ measuring cup, measure out the patties. Then, grill patties until the temperature in the thickest part of the burger reaches 165°. Serve with your favorite toppings on brioche buns (lettuce, tomato, pickles, condiments, etc.) and enjoy!

DIRECTIONS – Roasted Garlic

Tear off a small sheet of foil. Set the peeled garlic onto the foil, then pour a tablespoon of olive oil on top of the cloves. Add fresh salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Wrap it in the foil and set it on a cookie sheet and either roast or bake in a pre-heated oven for 20 minutes at 350°.

After baking, let it rest awhile before unwrapping. The garlic should be like butter; you should be able to smash it with the back of your cutting knife. Chop it up into fine pieces and add to salad.

Mango Raspberry Float

Looking for a fun treat that’s tasty year-round? This recipe can easily be made for both adults and kids, making it perfect for parties and evenings spent on your back patio with family.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 shot of tequila OR Prosecco (for non-drinkers and kids, substitute with lemon-lime soda, ginger beer, or ginger-ale)
  • 1 scoop mango sorbet
  • 1 scoop raspberry sorbet
  • Splash of lime juice and zest
  • Small twig of mint
  • (1) Daelmans stroopwafel OR (1) Trader Joe’s Triple Ginger Cookie Thins 

DIRECTIONS

Pour the liquor or soda into a wide mouth glass. Add the mango and raspberry sorbet and the lime juice. Then, top with lime zest, a sprig of mint, and your favorite cookie. Both Daelmans stroopwafels and Trader Joe’s Triple Ginger Cookie Thins are great choices.