Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

If you are anything like me, you are eagerly counting down the days until Thanksgiving.  It is my all time favorite holiday.  And as soon as I flip my calendar over from October to November (yes, I still have an old school calendar hanging on my wall in the kitchen…), I can automatically smell the aroma of a Thanksgiving feast.  Turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, green beans, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, hot rolls, mashed potatoes…and that’s just the main course.  Don’t forget about dessert!  Pecan pie, apple pie, and of course pumpkin pie.

But Thanksgiving is still 20 days away, and well, I have never been much of a patient person.  So I am starting my feast today!  First up?  Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal :)

Ingredients

1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree (unseasoned)

2 cups water

2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

2 cups rolled oats

1/4 cup toasted pecans, chopped

Maple syrup, for serving

Preparation

In large saucepan over high heat, combine the pumpkin puree, water, milk, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Bring to a boil.  Add the oatmeal.  Turn the heat down and cook according to your oatmeal instructions; mine usually takes about 15 minutes. Stir often.  Once the oatmeal is cooked, serve with maple syrup and a handful of pecans.

Recipe slightly adapted from Aarti Sequeira via Food Network

If you are looking for the perfect way to start off your autumn mornings, this recipe is definitely it!  It is hearty, festive and will warm your soul.  The maple syrup offers just the right amount of sweetness to the dish and the nuts give it a nice salty crunch.

This breakfast will remain on repeat until Thanksgiving day.  Because for some reason, I have this idea that any and all pumpkin related food must retire after that fourth Thursday.  Kind of like white pants after labor day.  Although, I am trying to talk myself into letting it stay on as a regular staple.  I’ll let you know how that goes…

Your turn:  What is your favorite food to kick off a chilly autumn morning?  Do you eat pumpkin after Thanksgiving?  Looking forward to reading your responses :)

PS:  Thank you to everyone who participated in the Little Duck Organics Giveaway!  A winner was chosen at random and the giveaway goes to…Tiffany T!  Please email me at inherchucks [at] gmail [dot] com as soon as possible with your mailing address and choice of flavor :)  Congratulations!!!