Oatmeal

Overnight Oatmeal

This is an easy recipe for breakfast.  You prepare it the night before and put in the fridge.  The next morning, you pull it out of the fridge and then set it on the counter to allow for the oats to warm up a bit.  That is unless you love the oats ice cold.

This is a versatile recipe.  You can change it up depending on your imagination.  I’m sharing you a version that uses blueberries and strawberries.  The oatmeal is then topped with pecans.

Overnight OatsOvernight Berry Oats

adapted from Skinny Taste

Stars of the recipe:
  • 1/4 c. quick oats
  • 1/2 c. milk (skim, 2%, almond, soy, or coconut)
  • 1/2 c. blueberries
  • 1/4 c. cut strawberries
  • 2 Tbsp. or less honey
  • 1/2 Tbsp. chia seeds
  • 1 Tbsp. cinnamon (more or less depending on your preferences)
  • 1 Tbsp. nuts

Steps:

  1. Combine the oats, milk, blueberries, strawberries, honey, chia seeds, and cinnamon in a jar.
  2. Place in the fridge overnight.
  3. Take out of the fridge and allow to take the chill off.
  4. Add nuts.
  5. Enjoy!  (If you want, add Greek yogurt.)

Happy Eating,
Traci

 

Applesauce Overnight Oatmeal

Until a few years ago, breakfast was not a favorite meal of mine.  I almost never ate breakfast which is not a good habit to get into.  Then I made a resolution in 2013, to eat breakfast every day.  I did 98% of the time but a few times I forgot to – usually if I was sick.  I’ve been getting into the habit of not eating breakfast some mornings or grabbing breakfast at school.  Those breakfasts are not the healthiest so I need to rethink breakfast once again.

In August of 2013, I wrote a blog post about 6 Easy Breakfast Foods.  One of the foods I mentioned is oatmeal.  Oatmeal can be eaten hot or cold.  It can be savory or sweet.  I have not eaten savory oatmeal though.  I took oatmeal packets with me to Walt Disney World when we went during my Spring Break in 2014 with a hot water kettle.  Mornings were oatmeal and coffee and then running around the parks.

March 31 (1) April 2 (1)

Lately, I have been craving oatmeal for breakfast. I tried to make some overnight oats for breakfast on Friday. However it was very runny. So I did not eat it since it was unappetizing.

I tried to make a different overnight oatmeal Friday night. It ended up being much better then Friday’s oatmeal. It tastes just like fall. Yum!

A year ago, I had made this recipe while the boys and I were on a road trip so I knew it was good. However I stopped eating oatmeal for a while.  Actually I continued to eat oatmeal but in the form of granola.

So why is overnight oatmeal a great choice for breakfast?

  1. It can be made up the night before.
  2. You don’t need to cook anything.  Just place in the container and go so it’s great for when you are on road trips.
  3. You can dress it up almost anyway you like.

Some overnight oatmeal recipes call for yogurt while other’s don’t.  This one is one that does not call for yogurt.  Instead I use applesauce as the binder.  You can either use homemade applesauce or store bought.  It’s totally up to you.  If you are using unsweetened applesauce, feel free to sweeten the oatmeal up with some honey.  If you want to add some protein, add some nuts.  I think walnuts are a great type of nut for this overnight oatmeal.

Onto the recipe:

Applesauce Overnight Oatmeal

Adapted from Cheap Recipe Blog 

IMG_0099

Stars of the recipe:

  • 1/2 c. rolled oats (don’t use quick oats or steel cut oats)
  • 1/2 c. milk of choice (cow, almond, coconut – I used almond.  It tasted wonderful.)
  • 1/2 c. applesauce – (homemade or store bought)
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon or apple pie spice
  • 1/2 to 1 Tbsp. honey or sweetener of choice – optional
  • 1/4 c. chopped nuts – optional (I used walnuts.)

Steps:

  1. In a jar or mason jar, place the oats, milk, applesauce, cinnamon, and sweetener if using.
  2. Put the lid on and shake up.
  3. Place in the fridge overnight or for at least 3 hours.
  4. When you are ready to eat it, take it out of fridge.  Allow to sit on the counter for 10 or so minutes to take the chill off.
  5. Add the nuts, if using.
  6. Enjoy your breakfast!

IMG_0102

Happy Eating,
Traci

Apple Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal or Overnight Oatmeal

In August of 2010, I posted an entry for Instant Oatmeal Mix.  As we are experiencing another cold snap, oatmeal is a good way to warm up on a bitterly cold morning.

I was pursing Yummy Life‘s instant oatmeal packets’ blog entry and found some good ideas for different types of instant oatmeal.  Making your own instant oatmeal mixes is  better than the Quaker or off brand instant oatmeal packets.  You control the ingredients.  Plus it doesn’t have preservatives.

Using some of the ideas from Yummy Life and what I had around the house, I came up with an apple cinnamon instant oatmeal that is divine.

Apple Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal

20140122-155408.jpg

Stars of the recipe:

  • 2-1/4 c. Instant or Quick Oatmeal
  • 1/3 c. powdered milk
  • 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
  • 2 to 3 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/3 c. dried apples
  • 1/3 c. chopped nuts (I used cashews.)
  • 2 -3 Tbsp Chia seeds
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • 2 Tbsp. vanilla powder (optional)

Steps:

  1. Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Store in an airtight container.
  3. When you are ready to make oatmeal, mix 1/2 c. of the oatmeal mix with 3/4 c. water.  (Make sure the bowl is big enough because the oatmeal with expand in the microwave.)
  4. Heat in the microwave for 90 seconds.

Or:

  1. Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Store in an airtight container.
  3. Mix 1/3 c. oatmeal mix, 1/2 c. water, and 1/4 c. yogurt in a mason jar or a similar type jar.
  4. Make sure the lid is on tightly and shake up the mixture.
  5. Place in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  6. Enjoy straight out of the fridge or allow it to warm up to room temperature before eating!

Printable Recipe

Gingerbread Granola

As I stated in the blog entry about the ginger snaps, I’ve really been loving the flavors of gingerbread this holiday season.  So when I decided to make some granola to give to friends and family members, I decided a gingerbread flavored granola sounded yummy!

While to base of the granola was baking in the oven, I was on the phone with my mom.  I asked her what add ins I could use that would be yummy with the gingerbread flavor.  It was decided that pecans or walnuts would be yummy and cranberries or even raisins would also be yummy!  I ended up putting pecans and cranberries.  You could even put chocolate chips for a chocolate gingerbread flavor.

Gingerbread Granola

Gingerbread Granola

Stars of the recipe:

  • 2 c. oatmeal (I used quick oats.)
  • 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
  • pinch of cloves
  • 2 tsp. ground ginger
  • 2 Tbsp. molasses (Spray measuring spoon with cooking spray before measuring.)
  • 1/4 c. honey (Spray measuring cup with cooking spray before measuring.)
  • 2 Tbsp. coconut oil
  • 1/4  – 1/2 c. raisins or dried cranberries (I used cranberries.)
  • 1/4 – 1/2 c. chopped walnuts or pecans (I used pecans.)
  • Optional:  1/4 c. chocolate chips

Steps:

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
  2. In a medium measuring bowl, combine oatmeal and spices.
  3. In a small bowl, place coconut oil.  Melt in microwave for 1 minute.
  4. Add the molasses and honey to the coconut oil.
  5. Pour over the oatmeal and spices.  Stir until all of the oatmeal is combined.
  6. Place on cooking sheet in a thin layer.
  7. Bake for 8 minutes.  Remove from oven and stir.  Place back into oven.
  8. Bake for an additional 8 minutes.  Take out of the oven.
  9. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before adding the raisins or cranberries and nuts.
  10. Store in an airtight container.
  11. Enjoy with yogurt or milk!

Printable Recipe

 

 

White chocolate granola

I’ve mentioned how much I like a local Farmer’s Market called Second Street Market. One of the vendors has a delicious granola called Triple Treat Granola. It contains walnuts, cranberries, and melted white chocolate. I sent a container to my May and one to my June foodie pen pals. Both of them loved the granola:).

I’ve decided to recreate the granola and add another flavor element – coconut. It turned out delicious.

White Chocolate Granola
20130724-091922.jpg

Adapted from Finding Joy in my Kitchen

Stars of the recipe:

  • 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 c. Water
  • 3/4 c. Brown sugar
  • 5 c. Old fashioned oatmeal
  • 2 tsp. ground cinnamon (add more or less depending on your likes or leave it out)
  • 1/4 c. Chopped walnuts
  • 1 and 1/2 c. White chocolate chips
  • 1/4 c. Dried cranberries
  • 1/4 c. Dried sweetened coconut

Steps:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. In a big saucepan, combine water, olive oil, and brown sugar. Let simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine the oatmeal and cinnamon.
  4. Slowly add the oatmeal mixture to the saucepan. Stir each time you add some of the oatmeal. Make sure the water, olive oil, and brown sugar is evenly coated on the oatmeal.  Take it off the heat.
  5. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet.
  6. Place in preheated oven. Bake for 5 minutes.
  7. Take out of oven and stir.
  8. Add walnuts to the granola. Place back in oven.
  9. Bake for 5 more minutes.
  10. Take out of oven and sprinkle with a cup of the white chocolate chips.
  11. Put back in oven for a minutes.
  12. Take out of oven and stir the granola so the melted white chocolate gets all over the granola.
  13. Allow to cool and then add the remaining white chocolate chips, cranberries, and coconut.
  14. Store in an air tight container.
  15. Enjoy over yogurt, froyo, or by itself.

Printable Recipe

Swedish Oatmeal Cookies

I’ve previously mentioned how I like Joanna Fluke’s Hannah Swenson books.  I’m rereading some of the books in the series.  As I was reading Key Lime Murder, she included this recipe.  I was instantly intrigued.  I’ve made other oatmeal cookies that included chocolate chips and M&M’s.  This year I wanted something simple.  This cookie fit the bill!!!

IMG_2430

Swedish Oatmeal Cookies

Stars of the recipe:

  • 1 c. butter (2 sticks)
  • 3/4 c. white sugar (granulated)
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 c. unsifted flour (all-purpose or white whole wheat)
  • 2 c. oatmeal (I used old-fashioned oatmeal.  I love that texture.)
  • 1 egg yolk

Steps:

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl on high for 1 1/2 minutes.
  3. Let  the butter cool to room temperature.
  4. Mix in the white sugar.
  5. Add the baking soda, flour, and oatmeal.  Stir thoroughly.
  6. In a small bowl, beat the egg yolk with a fork until it’s thoroughly mixed.
  7. Add the yolk to the bowl and stir until it’s incorporated.
  8. Grease or spray with cooking spray cookie sheet.
  9. Make small balls of dough and place them on the cookie sheet, 12 to a sheet.
  10. Press them down with a fork in a crisscross pattern.
  11. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.
  12. Let cool for 1 or 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
  13. Enjoy!!!

Printable Recipe

Instant Oatmeal Mix

Usually I’m not a big oatmeal eater, however; when I saw this mix on Mommy’s Kitchen I decided I needed to try it.  Oh my goodness, it’s a lot better than the instant oatmeal you get at the grocery store.  I think I like it because I can add what I want to it so it’s unique to my likings.

Stars of the “recipe”:

  • 2 and 1/4 cup of instant oatmeal
  • 1/3 cup dried milk powder
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 to 2 tsp of cinnamon  (I added more because I love the taste of cinnamon.)
  • 1 cup of raisins or any other dried fruit (I used blueberry flavored craisins in mine.  I also added chopped pecans to my mix.)

Directions:

  1. Mix all of the ingredients together and store in a airtight container.
  2. Label the container with the directions on how to prepare the oatmeal.

To Prepare OatMeal:

  1. Scoop 1/2 cup oatmeal into a bowl and mix with 1/2 cup water. You may need a bit more water if you like you oatmeal thinner.
  2. Microwave on high for 1 minute stir and enjoy.

This post has been linked to Eat at Home – Ingredient Spotlight.