Oatmeal Brulee

One morning not so long ago, I made some oatmeal for breakfast.  I hurriedly put it on the counter without rinsing out the bowl first.  BIG mistake.  When I finally go around to cleaning in at lunch time, it was like cement.  It then dawned on me why Quakers liked oatmeal so much- they can use the stuff to build their houses when they run out of cement or mud.  Geez, Louise!  "Oh, dear Brother John, I don't think I will have enough mud to build my home for the harsh, cold Pennsylvania Winter."  "Fear not, Brother William, I have ample amounts or oatmeal stored in barrels.  I'd be happy to give of my substance for your home."  And the Quakers rejoiced. 

Now, I don't think that dear Brother John would have given up so easily if he knew about this scrumptious option for a rather bland breakfast.  This is super easy and pretty good, as far as oatmeal goes.  I'm a twice or trice a year oatmeal person, but this recipe might make it a quarterly or monthly thing. (and it doesn't even involve cheese, cream, or deep frying anything)  Miracle.

Oatmeal Brulee:

source: I can't remember which cookbook it was in, so I'm winging it.  :)

Quick oats- I did enough for 4 servings

1/4 c maple syrup

2 t vanilla

1 t orange zest

1 t cinnamon

1/4 c raisins

1/4 c craisins

1/4 c chopped pecans

1/2 c brown sugar

Prepare the oatmeal according to package directions.

When it's done cooking, add the syrup, vanilla, orange zest, cinnamon, raisins, craisins, and pecans.  Stir it up.  You can omit the nuts if you're a nut-hater (Angel!) And you can omit the raisins, craisins, or both, if you'd like.

 Here are the delicious, crunchy, wonderful pecans going in.  Nuts!

 Scoop the oatmeal into individual serving dishes while the broiler is heating up.

Sprinkle brown sugar over the top of each cup.  Place it under the broiler, about 8 inches from the heat, for 7 minutes.  The brown sugar will start bubbling and oozing and transforming into some crazy glob creature.  However, that glob creature turns into something magical.  It hardens a bit and crystallizes.  So tasty.

If you can't stand oatmeal, this will make it more bearable.  I thought it was a good take on a rather otherwise boring breakfast.  Bring on the cement brulee!