Banana Breakfast Bowl

I don't often have good ideas before my first cup of coffee in the morning.

But this Banana Breakfast Bowl was a good idea.  A very good idea.

Steel Cut Oatmeal.  Caramelized Bananas.  Brown Sugar & Cinnamon.  Craisins.  Sliced Almonds.

Yep, I said Caramelized Bananas. 

I started with frozen bananas because I always have a ziploc bag full of them in my freezer.  You know how you've always got one or two bananas that are about to become over-ripe before you have a chance to use them?  Well, here is the perfect opportunity for you to go ahead and use them up.  I also wouldn't judge you if you used overripe frozen bananas for this.  They would be even sweeter and possibly more delicious.  

To freeze the bananas:  peel and slice into 1-2 inch slices, place sliced bananas on a parchment-lined plate or tray in the freezer and let freeze at least 2-3 hours.  Then transfer sliced bananas into a ziploc bag or plastic container until you are ready to use.

Banana Breakfast Bowl

serves 2

Ingredients 

non-stick cooking spray

1 banana, sliced in 1-2 inch slices and frozen

1 1/2 cups water

pinch of salt

1/2 cup steel cut oats

1/2 cup milk of choice (vanilla almond milk or 2% dairy milk are my favorites)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2-3 tablespoons brown sugar (or more, to taste)

1/2-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or to taste)

Craisins, sliced almonds, raisins, granola, maple syrup or additional brown sugar, etc. - to top oatmeal

Bring water to a boil with a pinch of salt in a small saucepan.  Add steel cut oats and return to boil.  Once boiling, lower heat to medium-low and simmer 20-25 minutes or until thickened, stirring frequently so they don't stick to the bottom of the pot.  Once oatmeal is very thick, add 1/2 cup milk, vanilla extract, brown sugar and cinnamon and stir.  Allow to simmer for 5-10 minutes more, stirring frequently, then remove from heat.

Meanwhile, spray a skillet with non-stick cooking spray and heat skillet over medium to medium-high heat.  Add frozen banana slices and saute without turning for about 5 minutes or until golden brown on the bottom.  Flip banana slices once using tongs, they will be very soft and delicate at this stage.  Allow banana slices to become golden brown on the other side, then remove pan from the heat.  They are now ready to use or you can let them cool to room temperature.

Assemble banana breakfast bowls:  Scoop half of the oatmeal into each bowl.  Top each bowl with half of the caramelized banana slices.  Top with craisins, almonds, granola, or additional brown sugar to taste.  Enjoy!