Saturday, January 15, 2011

Make Your Own Instant Oatmeal

My kids love instant oatmeal.  One day I was thinking what is in those little packets anyway? Well it turns out that what is in those packets are all things that come from your food storage.  Oats, Dry Milk, Sugar, Dry Fruit. Easy.  When I make this I make a large batch of PLAIN instant oatmeal in a medium sized Tupperware container.  I don't like sweet oatmeal (I know I'm a nut-job) so I leave the sugar out and add it to my kids when I make it.   I have a friend who makes it and then divides it into single serving bags so it is easy for her kids to make, but I think it is just as east to scoop out a 1/2 cup every morning.  My sister makes this for neighbor gifts at Christmas time, (she adds candied nuts. YUM)

Blueberry and Cream Instant Oatmeal


3 C Quick-Cooking Oats  ( I have also used regular old fashioned oats and it works just fine)
1 cup freeze dried blueberries
1/2 cup dry milk
1/2 cup sugar (optional)
Pinch of Salt 


Put 1 C. oats in a blender (or food processor) and whirl at high speed until powdery.   Combine powdered oats with all other ingredients mix well. Store in airtight container. 
**You do not have to blend up the oats, blending it makes it more like the packets of instant oatmeal.
To serve: Mix 1/2 cup oatmeal with 1/4 cup water  microwave 1 minuet.  

Other variations: 
Maple and Brown Sugar: This is the only kind my kids will eat (there Dad too) In place of blueberries and white sugar add 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1 tsp maple extract. (stir the extract into the sugar before adding)
Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal
In place of blueberries add  1 cup chopped dried apples, 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Cinnamon-Spice Oatmeal
In place of blueberries add 1/2 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon and 1 teaspoon nutmeg.

Oatmeal with Raisins and Brown Sugar
In place of blueberries add 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, and 1/2 cup raisins.

Wheat Germ Oatmeal
In place of blueberries add 1/2 cup wheat germ.