Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Works-For-Me Wednesday: Instant Oatmeal Mix

I have fond childhood memories of the packets of instant oatmeal - still like it! My husband and son like oatmeal, too...but in our house there's only time for instant. Rather than spending the $$ on bunches of packets, I found a recipe to make a batch of the instant stuff to keep on hand. Much cheaper! We always have this available for breakfast.

Instant Oatmeal Mix

18 oz. quick-cooking oats (about 7 cups)
3.2 oz. nonfat dry milk (about 1-1/3 cups)
2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup raisins (I like to use dried currants 'cause they're smaller)

In large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Transfer to airtight container. For breakfast: Scoop 1/2 cup oatmeal mix into bowl. Add 1/2 cup water. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Rest for 5 minutes. Makes about 16 servings.


A few months ago, I found another yummy version of an instant oatmeal mix in The Mason Jar Soup-to-Nuts Cookbook:

Apple Oatmeal Mix

6 cups quick-cooking oatmeal
1 cup coarsely chopped dried apples
1 cup powdered nondairy creamer
1 cup brown sugar
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons salt

Combine ingredients in large bowl. Store in airtight container. For breakfast: Place 1/2 cup oatmeal mix into bowl, add 2/3 cup boiling water, and stir gently until well mixed. Let stand for 2 minutes to thicken; stir again. Makes about 16 servings.



That's it! Homemade instant oatmeal mix works for me! For more great tips and ideas, be sure to stop by Rocks In My Dryer for Works-for-me-Wednesday.


16 comments:

  1. awesome idea, simple and easy and I bet you can take the basic recipe and add chocolate baking chips, or dried cranberries, or dried banana chips and crushed pecans or walnuts...

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  2. I love oatmeal, and its so good for you too! Thanks for the tip.

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  3. Hi Lisa,

    Thanks for stopping by my blog for a visit. It is always nice to see a "fresh face". Your blog looks great and I am going to have to run the oatmeal by my hubbie. He insists on the packets, but I think they are pricey and not good for you ( added chemicals etc.). Thanks for the recipes.

    Janet

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  4. Lisa, you are a DOLL!!! I just got my package - WOW! Amazing! Thank you so much! The biscotti is DELICIOUS and I can't wait to try the coffee and the tea. And the little mugs - adorable! I am going to do a blog post on it this evening - THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOO..... MUCH!!!! :)

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  5. Thanks for sharing this...we also like yours love it but I don't like all the "extra" stuff your getting with it including the cost!

    Coolness!

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  6. That is just so great! I love it when you can see the full circle - some mother eons ago made up a mix like this, then the big companies got wind of it and prepackaged it for us and now it is back to the original LOL

    Have a great day!
    Kristin

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  7. Good morning, Lisa!

    The apple oatmeal sounds wonderful!!! You come up with the greatest ideas!

    Beverly at How Sweet the Sound, is posting "preference" questions this week, and it reminded me of your "tea or mug" post! If you haven't met her and would like to play along, you can link up to her under my favorite blogs list. She has a beautiful yard and flowers!

    Hope your week is going well!
    Hugs, Rhonda ;)

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  8. Lisa, I was scrolling down and had missed your son's diagrams until now! They are amazing! My 9 year old son changes his mind each week on what he wants to be when he grows up, but "he is trying to decide, so he can start preparing now!" LOL! You might have a budding engineer there! I'm 40, and I am still trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up! LOL! ...my dad was walking around Wal-mart a couple of weeks ago, and he is NOT a Wal-mart fan, he only went to get a blown tire fixed, and they tried to hire him as a greeter! LOLOL! He was not amused! ~Rhonda ;)

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  9. This is great! Thanks so much, I will DEFINITELY be doing this!

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  10. What a great idea!! My favorite is the strawberry so as soon as you find that mix let me know!!!

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  11. Great tip! My kids love oatmeal, but I hate spending money on the instant stuff.

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  12. Great idea and I'm off to make a batch tonight! I've got some oatmeal lovers in my house, they like the "real stuff" but who has time? They love the instant stuff, but who has the money? Hopefully this will make everyone happy!

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  13. Thanks. I tried a recipe before, but it wasn't a big hit. I'm anxious to try this one (it's much simpler than the one I did before) I couldn't get the right fruity flavor with dried fruit (my kids like strawberry and blueberry). I think I'll try it this time with chocolate chips! Can't go wrong there!

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  14. Hi Lisa,

    Great recipes! I would love to make healthier, cheaper homemade instant oatmeal.

    Do you think it could be made without the dry milk or non-fat dairy creamer?

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  15. Lisa - I didn't see another way to get ahold of you, so hope you see the answer!

    Yes, you could make it without the milk or creamer. It just won't have the creaminess to it - and maybe not as thick.

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I would love to hear your comments! Thank you for stopping and smelling the chocolates with me!! Currently disabled anonymous comments due to spam attempts - thanks for understanding!

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