Blackberries and Cream Oats with Honey

Okay, I'm obsessed. Again. My blogging life tends to jump from one obsession to the next, whether it be a certain food, a blog, or a style. I started this blog because I was hooked on The English Kitchen (still my favorite blog ever), got the whole "weekly menu" idea from StoneGable, and found a new photography style after being inspired by Alexandra's Kitchen. (Still working on that one...) We all have a few of those blogs that just encompass EVERYTHING we want to be as bloggers, and these are a few of mine! My newest obsession is Pinch of Yum. This blog has everything. Awesome comfort food, incredible healthy food, and gorgeous pictures. I almost hate her, just a little, her pictures are so flipping perfect. Not really. No hating here. But still... how do I get that good!? Lucky for me, and other rookies out there, she's written a fantastic food photography e-book that I can't wait to put to use! I need a few more props, and napkins... Anyway. This is the recipe that got me hooked. 

I also get obsessed with food. I have been known to eat the same thing every day for weeks. Guacamole phase, omelet phase, buffalo chicken phase, egg and cheese bagel phase, bruschetta phase, I've had them all and more. Some healthier than others, obviously. And my biggest dietary stumbling block is lunch. Breakfast is easy, smoothies are a cinch and totally yummy. Dinner is easy to make healthy. But lunch... Nothing ever sounds good! Except junk food, these days. Until I found this oatmeal. "But oatmeal is for breakfast!!" you say?? Not for me! A smoothie for breakfast, this bowl of awesomeness for lunch, and there goes two-thirds of my daily food devoted to healthiness. I think I've already lost a few pounds... :)

Blackberries and Cream Oats with Honey (adapted slightly from Pinch of Yum)
Printable Recipe
Serves 2

2/3 cup oats
2/3 cup bran cereal,(like All-Bran)
2 cups water
pinch of salt
1/4 cup egg whites (about 2 egg whites, or use pre-beaten, like Eggbeaters)
1 Tb brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp vanilla

For topping:
fresh blackberries
half & half or cream
honey

Combine the oats, bran, water and salt in a saucepan, and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil until thickened and no longer watery, about 3-5 minutes.
Stir in brown sugar and cinnamon. Drizzle the egg whites in while whisking to avoid them cooking into clumps.
Divide the oatmeal into two bowls and top with the berries, cream and honey. Serve hot!

First item of business: egg whites. I know, I know, that sounds completely bizzare, right?! I thought the exact same thing. But I trusted the pictures, and the recipe, and gave it a shot. And believe me when I tell you, you literally can't tell they're there. If anything, they make the oatmeal creamier! No eggy taste, no eggy texture, just an awesome healthy shot of protein. Which of course, if you really want to, you could skip. But give it a try first.

Next item: the bran. You could easily skip it and just replace it with more oats, but I liked it. It softens and blends right in to the oats, and I think it adds extra flavor. Not to mention it's REALLY good for you!

Finally, the toppings. I was expecting this to be pretty yummy, but I was not expecting it to be the best darn bowl of oatmeal I have ever had!! There is something about the combo of warm, nutty oats, tart, juicy, blackberries, rich cream, and sweet honey that just had me weak at the knees! Usually I'm a mix-it-all-up kinda girl, but with this bowl of oatmeal, I reccommend keeping the flavors separate. Each perfect bite should have a blackberry, a bit of cream, and a smidgen of honey sitting on top.