My New Love

I would like to introduce you to the new love of my life.  First, I need to thank T.J. of the Test Kitchen for introducing me to this new love.  I didn't know I had been pining so desperately for something like this in my life.  So here is my new love:

Baked Oatmeal:

This is not the same recipe as T.J. makes but she inspired me to go looking for something I thought I would like and would be on program. 

Boy, does this ever fit the bill.  And I am still not even sure I cooked it correctly.  But I swear, this is like oatmeal heaven. 

Ok, so here is the recipe.  Try it and tell me what you think.  I think I am going to buy stock in steel cut oats!!

Baked Oatmeal

POINTS® Value: 5

Servings: 6

Ingredients

3 1/2 cup(s) fat-free skim milk
1 cup(s)  Steel cut oats
2 Tbsp maple syrup
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup(s) Ocean Spray Craisins Dried Cranberries
1/2 cup(s) chopped walnuts
1/2 tsp table salt
1/2 cup(s) unsweetened applesauce

Instructions

Heat milk on medium heat until very hot but not boiling. Stir in oats, maple syrup, cinnamon, applesauce and cook for a few minutes until mixture just comes to a boil. Remove from heat and add craisins and nuts.

Prepare 1 1/2 quart casserole by spraying with cooking spray. Pour mixture in, cover and bake for 45 minutes to an hour until no longer liquid and oatmeal appears creamy.  At this point, I let this cool until. I could cut it into individual servings.

These are 6 VERY generous servings, easily a meal unto themselves so I don't have any problems with the 5 Points.
 
A couple of things I didn't do:  I didn't add salt and, frankly, I didn't miss it.  And I forgot to spray the casserole.  DON"T DO THAT!!  Unless you like scrubbing dishes.  Anyone who has any experience with the WW Points system would know that Points could be reduced (probably drastically) by leaving out the craisins and nuts.  Also if you look closely at the picture, the top 1/4 of the serving appears white.  I think I could have cooked this another 15 minutes, but it was fine just like it was too.  Very reminiscent of one of my favorite desserts of all time, rice pudding.