I suppose you watched the debates last night...I tried to watch, but it was nearly impossible as the mister thought HE was the one debating. If only Obama and Romney would call the mister, he could set them straight. The mister has all the answers - he can fix immigration, health care, the economy and he can finally, with the help of any Miss America, find World Peace. He's Uncle Sam Abe Lincoln Ronald Reagan and John Kennedy meets Mother Teresa Gandhi Nelson Mandela Pope Paul and Mary Poppins. He's three gallons of crazy in a two gallon bucket. And from now until the election I am the lucky one who gets to hear his sage advice. I'll give you an example...you can insert any question you like, and you would get profound answers like, "If they don't like it they can leave!" or "Move to Canada!" or "Nuke 'em!" or "Go blow it out your --- my aching ----- give me a -------break you piece of ----. I'm very proud. Wisdom like that is hard to find.
This morning, as I put on my rose-colored glasses, I decided to make something warm and soothing to help me start the day right...Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal - it's the perfect Autumn breakfast. But it's not just baked oats with pumpkin mixed in. This breakfast is more like a dessert, it has a creme brulee top and is served with cream. Go ahead and sigh as you try to imagine it...but let me warn you, it's much better than anything you can conjure up - I promise!
Brown sugar is caramelized on top of the baked oatmeal...the crispy topping plays against the creaminess of the pudding like center...and when cream is served alongside, you've got yourself a sure-fire anti-freeze...this will warm you to the bone, keep you full until lunch, and with any luck at all, help you forget we have another month to go until the elections!
Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal - Pots and Pins - Inspired by Chocolate Covered Katie
(This would be the perfect breakfast on Thanksgiving morning! Or Christmas morn! It's that good!)
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup whole milk
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon brown sugar (plus more for sprinkling on top)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
For topping: 4 to 5 teaspoons brown sugar
For serving: 1/4 cup heavy cream
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter four 1-cup ramekins and set aside. In a large bowl combine oats, pumpkin, milk, maple syrup, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg and salt. Mix well. Spoon into prepared ramekins. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until center is firm to the touch. Remove from oven. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of brown sugar (or more if you want) on top of each ramekin. Put ramekins under broiler and watching closely, broil until the brown sugar liquefies and begins to just come to a boil. This happens very quickly so watch carefully so they don't burn. Remove from broiler. Serve with cream, drizzle about 1 tablespoon over each. Serves 4.