Oatmeal Pudding

I was making rice pudding one day, when I thought to myself, I bet I could make oatmeal pudding almost exactly like this. This is what came out of my experiment, partly based on a recipe for rice pudding in a Moosewood cookbook. I've made this three times now, each time using different toppings, and each time everyone liked the toppings. So whatever you choose to put on top (if anything at all), remember that it's only limited to your imagination.



I've made this using unsweetened soymilk as well as vanilla oat milk. The larger amount of maple syrup is for if you're using unsweetened soymilk, and the lesser amount is for if you're using vanilla oatmilk. (Of course you can use sweetened soymilk if you would like, just adjust the amount of sweetener.)


Oatmeal Pudding:
4 cups unsweetened plain soymilk or vanilla oat milk
2 cups rolled oat flakes
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 tsp sea salt

2-4 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
a dash or two of nutmeg
1 tsbp lemon juice

extra cinnamon for sprinkling on top

Optional toppings:
soy yogurt
soy creamer
fresh or dried fruit (bananas are always a big hit)
chopped nuts or seeds, or nut or seed butters
flaxseed oil or meal

In a heavy saucepan, place the milk, rolled oats, raisins, and sea salt and bring to a boil over high heat.
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the oats have absorbed most of the liquid. If the oats are getting stuck to the bottom of the pot, don't worry, it will be okay in a little while.
After the oats have absorbed the liquid, add the maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice and stir well. Cover the pot again, and let it sit (off of the heat) for a few minutes. When about 5 minutes have passed, lift the lid and stir again. The oatmeal that was stuck to the bottom should have loosened up, and it is now ready to be dished up. Serve hot, warm, or chilled with or without optional toppings.

Serves four

For the toppings, here are some I have used before:

*vanilla soy creamer, chopped walnuts, sliced bananas
*chopped walnuts, chopped apple
*almond butter, sliced banana, flax oil

Enjoy, and let me know what you think!