Banana Oatmeal with Walnuts and Blackberries

I often play with ways to flavor oatmeal, and this one was a hit.

My friend Michelle made me promise to write this down when I made it during her recent visit, after an unseasonably cold night. She claims it’s as good as ice cream.

Riiiiiight. Not as good as Graeter’s or Jeni’s, anyway.

Banana Oatmeal with Walnuts and Blackberries

2 cups McCann’s Quick Cooking Oatmeal
4 cups skim milk (or water)
Pinch salt
2 bananas, thinly sliced
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
Scant 1/4 cup vanilla sugar (or use regular granulated sugar and add 1/2 tsp. vanilla to milk)
1 cup walnuts, toasted in the oven and chopped
1 cup blackberries
Additional banana slices, as desired

Stir together oats, milk and salt in heavy saucepan and turn heat to medium. Stir often, adding banana when cereal starts to get hot. Cook, stirring  frequently, till oats are cooked, mixture is creamy and much of banana has cooked down, nearly disappearing into the oatmeal. That should take 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in sugars and cook another minute or so, scraping bottom of pan.

Serve with walnuts, berries, additional banana and brown sugar as toppings.