Risotto Oatmeal

Oh. My...Word! This was really really tasty!!!

I want to experiment with different flavor variations, since I think there's a lot you can do with it! But it's really good!!!

The only thing I had to do to make it safe for Derek was for his I used the dairy-free creamer instead of the half and half! (I just made a whole batch for us and a half batch for him!)

This would even make for a fun breakfast/brunch bar! A big ol' crock pot of risotto oatmeal, and smaller bowls with different toppings to choose from! :)

Risotto Oatmeal

1/2 cup regular rolled oats
1 cup Arborio rice
1/2 cup Dairy free creamer OR fat free half and half (if no dairy allergy)
6 cups water
1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon brown sugar per serving

Directions:
1. Place oats in food processor for few seconds to chop up into small bits.
2. In large pot, combine chopped oats, Arborio rice, half and half, water, vanilla, sugar, and salt over high heat. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to low. Simmer for about 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Spoon into serving bowls. Top each serving with 1 teaspoon brown sugar.


Variations: Unless noted, add the additional ingredients after putting in serving bowls.

Black Cherry Risotto - Add about 4 chopped frozen black cherries to each serving

Caramel Apple Pie Risotto - Add handful of peeled and diced apples and a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg to each serving. Drizzle with caramel. Top with chopped walnuts, if desired.

Cinnamon Orange Risotto - Add an orange peel to the pot while cooking. Remove orange peel and sprinkle each serving with cinnamon

Very Berry Risotto - Add handful of chopped frozen strawberries and/or raspberries to each serving

Blueberry Risotto - Add handful of small blueberries

Reese's Pieces Risotto - Add about 1 teaspoon peanut butter and 1-2 teaspoons mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Coconut Risotto - Add coconut milk instead of half and half. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Top with toasted coconut

Chocolate Risotto - Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder into the pot.

Pumpkin Risotto - Add 4 Tablespoons canned pumpkin into the pot. Sprinkle with cinnamon

Cinnamon Raisin Risotto - Add 1/2 cup raisins to the pot, and a sprinkle of cinnamon on each serving

Almond Cherry Risotto - Use almond extract instead of vanilla, add chopped cherries to the top.

Black Forest Risotto - Add semi-sweet chocolate chips to the serving bowls while hot, sprinkle with diced cherries

Coconut Lime - Add 1 teaspoon coconut extract, and zest from one lime into the pot. Sprinkle with toasted coconut

Chocolatey Orange Risotto - Add 1/2 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips and 1 orange peel to the pot. Remove peel when finished cooking. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Peanuty Risotto - Add 1/2 cup peanut butter (or soy nut butter if needed) to the pot. Sprinkle each serving with chopped peanuts, if desired

Peaches and Cream Risotto - Add handful of diced peaches (frozen or fresh) to each serving bowl.

Very Vanilla Risotto - Add seeds from 1 vanilla bean into pot instead of vanilla extract









***thaw all frozen fruits in the microwave for about 30 seconds to soften!)