Zov's Oatmeal Brûlée

Ya'll know how I love my baked oatmeal. For the longest time ever, I've been a self-proclaimed lover of the stuff (just check my recipe index). I guess all of those bad experiences with gooey, syrupy packaged oatmeals turned me off thin oatmeal. Baked oatmeal on the other hand, has this hearty texture which I love, but, after trying this oatmeal, I can now say I love all the textures that oatmeal has to offer - as long as it's homemade!

This oatmeal has a thinner consistency but is still perfectly hearty. It's unbelievably creamy and I love how the only sugar in it is actually on top of it - in the brulee! That way, you can control how much sugar you want depending on how you're feeling: decadent or healthful. Either way, the brulee is a delicious touch that you should not skip!

Zov's Oatmeal Brûlée

Yields: 4 servings

Original recipe from Simple Zov: Rustic Classics with a Mediterranean Twist.

5 cups 2% milk

2 cups old fashioned oats

1/8 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 cup golden raisins

4 tbsn. coarse turbinado sugar

1/2 cup mixed berries

In a large sauce pot, combine the milk, oats and salt and heat over medium heat until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the raisins and cinnamon and continue to cook over medium heat for 3 minutes until the milk is mostly absorbed and the oats are tender. If the mixture is too dry for you, you can add more milk to your preference. Divide the oatmeal among 4 bowls, then top each bowl with 1 tbsn. of the coarse sugar. Using a blow torch or your oven's broil setting, caramelize the sugar until it creates a crispy shell. Top with fresh berries and enjoy!