Any recipe called "morning glory" has always been a good excuse for me to combine a number of different ingredients into a baked good. I recently had the opportunity to develop a recipe for the Dane County Farmers' Market using ingredients that were available at their winter market. Oats, carrots, apples and maple syrup came home with me and came together in this oatmeal bake. The oats from Snug Haven are not heat processed which means that they need to be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. If you are using their oats, you will want to soak them in hot water for 1 hour before making this recipe to reach the soft stovetop oatmeal consistency for this recipe.

At the end of this post I have included a picture of the farmers' market toolkit I keep in my car all year around, it makes shopping easier and reduces my use of plastics.

Morning Glory Oatmeal Bake

by Inspired by the Seasons

2 1/2 c rolled oats - Snug Haven Farm*
2 c milk, milk substitutes can also be used
3 T maple syrup - Marquardt's Tree Farm*
1 baking apple - Ela Orchard*
1 c grated carrot, about 2 medium - Blue Valley Gardens*
1/2 c sliced almonds
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 salt

* Ingredients from the market

Heat oven to 375 degrees and grease a 8"x 8" baking dish.

In a medium sized bowl combine the oats, salt, baking powder and cinnamon. Stir in the milk and maple syrup, add remaining ingredients.

Transfer to the baking dish and spread evenly. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until the edges have browned.

Serve with maple syrup if desired. Can be kept covered in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Click on image below for more oatmeal bake recipes

Date & Pecan

Pumpkin

Sour Cherry

The bag I bring to every market!

This is a small divided bag that I found in the liquor department of the grocery store. This market toolkit holds my reusable produce bags, paper bags, my larger tote, and plastic containers that I can use to transport berries and other fragile produce. It works great for organizing produce I buy at the market too, especially jars of honey and preserves. This stays in my car all year around.

Here is a video I did of my farmers' market shopping tips with Moms Everyday

http://www.momseveryday.com/content/show/Farmers-market-shopping-hacks-476986173.html