brown sugar roasted fig oatmeal

beautiful fresh figs with brown sugar glaze and oatmeal

The fruit that I think of as the exotic ‘forbidden fruit’. In my mind, I can imagine lovers dropping figs into each other’s open, welcoming mouthes! Very erotic to say the least.

But that’s certainly not my reality!

Instead, I snatch up two more small baskets of fresh Black Mission figs when I know that I should only buy one! What am I going to do with all of these before I leave for Italy on Saturday and before these delicate-skinned little things spoil?

Well, serendipity is a wonderful phenomenon that I firmly believe in: when you’re thinking of something, than something related to that ‘thing’ will appear.

Serendipity!

Suddenly today while thinking of my figs, a blog email post arrived in my in-box for “Brown Sugar Roasted Figs Oatmeal” from Joy the Baker

Is that perfect timing or WHAT?

First of all, I ADORE warm oatmeal with brown sugar at least three times a week. Originally intended to help bring my cholesterol down . . . of which I’ve successfully accomplished and then some! As a result, oatmeal with brown sugar is a weekly regime in my nutrition. Plus this recipe calls for almond milk which I have also happily adopted! My husband doesn’t drink milk (if you can believe that!) so the switch to almond milk had no impact on him whatsoever.

the brown sugar and olive oil sauce on a roasted fig
 
 
After preparing this oatmeal and figs recipe and tasting it, I have to say quite honestly that it was ‘nice’, but not ‘wow’ as I had expected. For that ‘wow’ factor, here’s what I would change:
 
I would warm up a half cup of olive oil (not on hot, because olive oil will burn). To that I would add about one-third or so cup of brown sugar to make a SAUCE to pour over the oatmeal, figs, and milk.
 
Then that would be PERFECT for me!
 
roasted figs with brown sugar and olive oil hot out of the oven
 

Brown Sugar Roasted Fig Oatmeal

Brown Sugar Roasted Fig Oatmeal

Ingredients

  • 8 ripe figs, cut in half
  • drizzle of olive oil
  • 3 Tbsps. brown sugar
  • 1-1/3 cup old-fashioned oatmeal
  • 1-1/2 cup almond milk, plus more for topping (you can also use regular cow or soy milk too)
  • 3 Tbsp. brown sugar for topping

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Place oven rack in the upper third of the oven.
  3. Place the fig halves on a baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil.
  4. Sprinkle the first 3 tablespoons of brown sugar on top of the figs.
  5. Place in the oven and roast until the figs are soft and bubbling, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  6. While the figs are roasting, prepare the oatmeal.
  7. In a medium saucepan, bring the required amount of water to a simmer.
  8. Add the oats and salt and stir.
  9. As the oats begin to absorb the water, add the almond milk.
  10. Cook and stir for about 5 minutes or until the oats are cooked through.
  11. Remove the oatmeal from the stove heat.
  12. Remove the roasted figs from the oven.
  13. To serve: place the oatmeal in bowls, top with more almond milk, roasted figs, and the additional brown sugar.
  14. Serve warm immediately.

 

 

Enjoy!

 

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