Clean Eating Pumpkin Oatmeal Casserole (from The Gracious Pantry)

Well, I know my last post said I was trying crockpot white chicken chili.  Let's just say - we are still in the test phases with that.  HOWEVER, in my endeavor to eat more clean and healthy, I found a wonderful website that you will love as well.  http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/.  It is penned by a lovely lady with years of work and research, Tiffany.  She's just like you and I and she is very accessible if you even need to email her with questions.


I was looking for something dairy free for breakfast after I discovered the reasons I had been sick on and off lately was due to an allergy in milk protein.  I got off the dairy for a week and I haven't ever felt better in my life but then I thought - what am I gonna eat for breakfast - that I can bring to work??  Then I found Tiffany's website.  This stuff is WONDERFUL!  I just stock up on the after Thanksgiving pumpkin sales at the grocery and modified it a little since I couldn't find fresh cranberries out of season but other than that  - I eat this EVERY DAY!

The recipe is way easy and a small amount (about 1/8 of the recipe) is VERY filling.  I love to heat it up in the microwave for about 30-35seconds and it makes a great dessert with either clean ice cream or whipped cream on it - or just eat it for breakfast!

I make this every Sunday (like the gravy) so I can have a grab-n-go breakfast for work.  See below portions in plastic wear. 

 Clean Eating Pumpkin Oatmeal Casserole - from http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/clean-eating-pumpkin-oatmeal-casserole/

(Makes approximately 12 servings – I found it makes more like 8 servings but that's just me.)

Ingredients

• 4 cups unsweetened almond milk (I used no sugar added Vanilla flavored Almond Milk)
• 1/2 cup pecan pieces
• 1 cup prepared pumpkin (canned or home baked)
• 1 cup fresh cranberries (since I made this in Feb. I couldn't find fresh so I did 1/2C dried cranberries)
• 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, no sugar added
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 cups steel cut oats (I didn't have these but had a Costco sized Old Fashioned Quaker Oats added about an additional 1/4C of those)
• 1/2 cup golden raisins

Ok so I already took a bite before the photo but I couldn't resist!!!

Directions

Step 1 - Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Step 2 -In a casserole dish (9×13), blend together the almond milk, pumpkin, pumpkin spice, honey and vanilla. Stir gently until completely combined.

Step 3 -Add the oats, pecans, cranberries and raisins. Stir briefly to combine.

Step 4 -Bake for 45 minutes or until the casserole is soft and cooked through.

You can find the original recipe here --> Clean Eating Pumpkin Oatmeal Casserole

as well as a TON of other great clean eating recipes.  And if you have clean eating questions - Tiffany is a GREAT resource.  Clean Eating Pumpkin Oatmeal Casserole - a TOTAL YUMMY FABU FIND!!!

Hey Y'all!  I am a firm believer that yes there is "Crockpot Season", starting around September and ending around April.  However, as a nouveaux southerner, I am always trying to find ways to use my crockpot out of season so my house doesn't get hot in the summer from using the stove and oven.  I have discovered what I think is a great clean eating chicken chili.  It's a white chili that is lighter than its beefy and red sauce counterpart.

Also, I am doing the beans from dry beans for the first time along with this new recipe I found.  I was kind of hesitant thinking making beans "the old fashioned way" was going to be a chore - but trust me it is not.  Rinse and drain.  The soak in 6Cups water over night in a pot.  If you put it together right before you go to bed - they are ready to go in the morning when you wake up.  Just like if you opened a can to throw them into the crock pot.

Anyway - if this chicken chili comes out good - I will post it.  I came in from shopping and the house smelled SOOOO GOOOOOD and we still have 3hrs to go.

Stay tuned my little tomatoes!