Simply put, fresh local peaches are incredible. I’ve been making an effort to buy my produce at local markets recently and I’m really happy about it. It feels great to support local farmers and of course, the freshness cannot be surpassed. Local peaches are on a whole other level.

My son loves them and his favourite way to eat them is in my homemade take on the classic Peaches and Cream oatmeal. Lately I’ve been preparing the oatmeal with my Instant Pot and using steel-cut oats instead of the quick cooking oats. Peaches are in season (here in Ontario), and the Instant Pot offers such a quick and easy way to cook up oatmeal. Here’s my adjusted recipe:

Peaches & Cream Oatmeal Instant Pot Recipe

Ingredients

2 ripe peaches, pitted + chopped

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/8 cup filtered water

2 cups nut milk of choice

1 cup filtered water

Pinch of sea salt

Cinnamon stick (optional)

1 cup organic gluten-free steel-cut oats

1-4 tbsp grass-fed butter (or coconut oil for dairy free)

1/4-1/2 cup full fat cream (or coconut milk for dairy free)

Additional cream or dairy free milk of choice for serving

Additional pure maple syrup for serving

1-3 fresh ripe peaches, pitted and diced

Chopped nuts, seeds or dried fruit of choice for toppings

Method

In a blender, puree the chopped peaches, maple syrup, cinnamon and 1/8 cup water. Pour peach puree into a measuring cup. Plug in the Instant Pot. Add the oats, 2 cups nut milk, 1 cup filtered water, pinch of sea salt and optional cinnamon stick. Stir and then place the lid on the Instant Pot and lock the lid. Twist the steam release handle on the lid to “Sealing”. Press the “manual” button to choose the cooking mode. Use the arrows to change the cooking time to 3 minutes. Note that the oatmeal will be cooking for longer than 3 minutes as it takes time for the pressure cooker to reach desired pressure. The 3 minute timer will start once proper pressure is achieved. Once the oatmeal is done cooking the Instant Pot will automatically switch to the “Keep Warm” mode and will signal done with beeps. Once you hear the beeps, the oatmeal has cooked for the full 3 minutes at full pressure. Let the oatmeal remain in the “Keep Warm” mode until the pressure releases naturally and then press “Cancel.” Twist the steam release handle on the lid to “Venting” but because you released the pressure naturally there will be no steam. Open the Instant Pot and stir in desired amount of butter or coconut oil and the peach liquid from the blender. Taste and adjust sweetness according to taste. Let sit for a few minutes to cool slightly then add the 1/4-1/2 cup of cream or coconut/nut milk of choice Fold in fresh diced peaches and serve with additional milk of choice and toppings of choice Enjoy!

With summer in full swing, how are you enjoying the fresh local produce?

-Hollie