I was going to start this post with a weather report/complaint until I saw the weather report and realized that with the exception of a small slice of the west coast the entire country is below freezing.  I certainly am not going to complain about our rain and 43 degrees...that would just be rude and I do try so hard not to be rude, I try to be helpful, here, let me give you an example:  I was in a store yesterday and the sales lady said, "How about this polar gortex we're having?" I could barely hold back a sniggle, but she was very sweet and even though her English was not all that great she was trying so I told her a polar gortex is what you wear in a polar vortex, I was trying to be helpful.  She replied, "Yes, yes and they are all on sale today, 40% off, come I will show you!"  Well played sales lady, well played!

While changing the sheets on the bed, which I only do to keep me humble, I was watching Food Network and Bobby Flay and he was making this dish.  It sounded good to me...and it is good.  Apples brushed with brown sugar and butter, baked in cider until they are slightly soft, become bowls for the oatmeal.  It's the perfect cold-rainy-day-but-could-be-worse-breakfast for me.

The mister had other ideas for breakfast..."Is that all I get?  Where's the eggs and bacon?"  He ate every drop then told me, "Try not to make any more fattening stuff for me, I'm trying to lose weight, just give me the eggs and bacon and leave it at that."  Yes he said that...after devouring eggs and bacon the man was worried that an APPLE and about 1/3 cup of oatmeal would make the scales soar.  I donned my mask of pity, bowed ever so slightly and once again hid my sniggle.  I'm helpful like that.

Oatmeal Baked in Apples - Adapted From Bobby Flay, Food Network

2 apples (I used Fuji), bottoms sliced so apples stand

1/2 lemon

1 tablespoon butter

2 tablespoon brown sugar

pinch of cinnamon (more if you want)

pinch of ground pepper (I know, weird, but it's great!)

1/2 cup apple cider

2 packets instant Oatmeal (I use McCanns Instant Oatmeal, it's quick, easy and better than the others), prepared according to package directions

In a small microwave-safe dish, melt the butter, whisk in the brown sugar, cinnamon and pepper.  Brush the inside of the apples with this mixture.  Pour the apple cider into the bottom of the baking dish, cover loosely with foil and bake until the apples are tender, about 30 minutes.  Remove the foil and bake for 5 minutes longer.

Make the instant oatmeal, stir in the reserved chopped apples.  Divide the oatmeal between the apples (you will have some oatmeal left over).  Drizzle some of the cider over the tops of the oatmeal.  Serve immediately.  Makes 2 stuffed apples.  You can double or triple this recipe as needed.