Banana Oatmeal

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup Old Fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 1 overripe mashed banana
• 1-3 Tbsp packed light-brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp vanilla
• 1 Tbsp butter or 2 Tbsp cream, optional
• 2 Tbsp chopped pecans, optional

Directions

1. Pour the water and milk into a medium saucepan and bring them just to the point of boiling. Lower the heat to medium low, then mix in the oats, buttermilk, mashed banana, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Let it cook for 5 more minutes, giving it a stir here and there.
2. Take the oatmeal off the heat and stir in the vanilla, along with the optional butter or cream. Put a lid on the pan and let the oatmeal sit for 3 minutes. Spoon it up warm, with the optional chopped pecans over the top.
3. For the microwave method, combine the oats, milk, buttermilk, water, mashed banana, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a very large microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 3 1/2 minutes, then let the bowl stay in the microwave for 2 minutes. Remove it carefully and stir in the vanilla, plus the optional cream or butter and optional pecans. Serve warm.