‘Tis the season to simmer heart healthy whole grains with traditional holiday spices and one of the most delectable winter fruits.
The pomegranate: an absolute bear to dissect; akin to performing surgery on the
flesh, skillfully separating the ruby colored arils from the pulpy membrane, magenta juice soaring through the air. However, no matter how many splatters and stains result, I always seem to forget the gruntwork once I bite into those tangy-sweet seeds. Actually, it’s completely inevitable as I revel in the flavor – I will end up cutting into a pom again…
I’ve enjoyed them alone or mixed with Greek yogurt, but today I joined them with my favorite hearty breakfast staple, oatmeal. The sweet and sour notes of the juices complement the base flavor of the oats, while the apple, maple syrup and spices bring the entire dish full circle. I hope you enjoy my new seasonal breakfast favorite!
Christmas Oatmeal
Serves 4
1 1/2 cups oatmeal
1 cinnamon stick
3 cups water or milk
1/2 pomegranate, seeded
1 Rome apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/4 cup maple syrup
Zest of 1/2 navel orange, plus more for garnish
Combine cinnamon stick and water in a small pot and bring to boil over high heat. Add oatmeal and apple and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 10 minutes or until desired consistency. Remove from heat and discard cinnamon stick. Stir in maple syrup, orange zest, cinnamon, and allspice. Ladle into bowl and top with pomegranate seeds. Garnish with additional zest and cinnamon to taste and finish with a drizzle of maple syrup.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I do and let me know in the comments…
I think I will give this one a try, too. I’ll just be sure not to wear a white shirt when taking those seeds out.
Let me know how it works out!! Stay warm…
Gramma and Aunt Mary will love me for making this for them Christmas Eve morning! Michael and I will dive in as well! Thanks:)
Enjoy and have a great holiday!
Love pomegranate on oatmeal!! I usually just do bananas, pomegranate, a squirt of honey and a splash of soy milk — quick, easy, healthy and delicious (plus manageable on a poor college student budget.. though that doesn’t really exist when it comes to my diet)
Great post! Love the photos and happy winter!
Yes, pomegranate and oatmeal make for a nice combo. I like the sound of the banana addition to temper the tartness of the pom… I will definitely give it a whirl…
Thanks for checking out the post and commenting, Jenny! Happy winter to you, as well!
I was right!! Gramma and Aunt Mary think I am the best breakfast chef in the world. The Christmas Oatmeal is awesome and it will not be made only for the christmas season, rather all year long! I will have to omit the syrup and use a substitute for sweetness though for those after holiday added pounds, but not during Christmas!!!
Thank you for this delicious recipe:)
Oh, wonderful Mil! I’m glad to hear that it worked out. Maybe you can try using some agave nectar… It’s glycemic index is lower than maple syrup, but it still packs an ALL NATURAL sweet punch.
Do you eat the seeds?
Absolutely! They’re the best part…