Hurry! Make Your Own Instant Oatmeal

It's Saturday morning and I've just finished my weekly grocery shopping. I was capital D-delighted to find that Albertson's had their Quaker oats on sale. It's just $1.50 for a 42 ounce canister. When this happens, I'm like a greedy spider, wrapping my oat-y prey in my silken webs. Evil laughing and wringing of hands ensues...mwah hah hah....
I bought 10 canisters, dear readers, and I'm encouraging all of you who live anywhere near Albertson's to do the same. Besides making cookies, bars, cakes, and meatloaf, I use oats in a more obvious way: Homemade Instant Oatmeal. Making it yourself allows you to choose from an infinite number of flavor options, control the amount of sugar, and most especially save some moolah, during these times that try the soul and the pocketbook. So here's what you do, and please try to find young charges to help you, if possible:

Put some instant oats in the blender and pulverize them into flour.

Put two tablespoons pulverized oats into a snack-size zip top baggie

with 1/4 cup instant oats (unpulverized)

1 tablespoon sugar (brown or granulated)

a pinch of salt

a pinch of cinnamon

and some dried fruits, if you like That's it, folks. You're all done with breakfast. Say good-bye to busy mornings.

Here's the recipe for one baggie:

1/4 cup quick cooking oats

2 tablespoons pulverized quick cooking oats

1 tablespoon sugar (brown or granulated)

pinch of salt and cinnamon

1 tablespoon dried fruit, if desired
Optional: 1 teaspoon powdered milk for added nutrition
To cook, boil 3/4 cup water in microwaveable bowl. Stir in oatmeal. That's it.....but there's more.

Now, a few months ago, I got some products from a food storage company called Shelf Reliance and our instant oatmeal has gone through the roof. I use their instant powdered milk in the oatmeal, just to boost the nutrition and add a little calcium. I've also had a great time with their dried apples, raspberries, blueberries, and most especially their dried pineapple. Toss it into your oatmeal with a sprinkle of coconut for a tropical twist. Check out their line of products; they're great for make your own oatmeal and for so much more.

Use their products to make these instant oatmeal variations:

Add to above master recipe (subbing out spices and fruits)

Fall Apple Oatmeal: A pinch of allspice and dried apple chips.

Hawaiian Sunrise: Dried pineapple, a pinch of ginger

Oatmeal Cookie: Raisins and cinnamon

Nantucket Beach Breakfast: Dried Cranberries and Orange zest

Strawberry Shortcake: powdered vanilla and dried strawberries

Blueberry Hill: Dried banana slices and blueberries with pinch of nutmeg

Mixed Berry: strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries with a pinch of ginger

Stay Tuned:

Next Week is Cookie Bookie Week, starting Monday