Recipe: Instant Oatmeal Jars

If I'd known about this as a kid, my whole world would have been a lot different.

You can put oatmeal in jars, add boiling water, and BOOM. BREAKFAST.
 
"Oh but Heather you need quick oats"/"It only works with some oats"/"You can't use other kinds of hot cereal."

That's what they told me too, but they're wrong. I've tried it. I probably wouldn't use wheat berries, but any somewhat processed grain should do.

Here's my recipe, you may need to tweak to your tastes.

1 pint jar

1/2 c oats

1/2 c toppings

Dry sweetener if you're using it

Pinch of salt

Store at room temperature. 

To eat: add boiling water to just below the fill line--I leave about 1/2 inch. Stir and rest for 5 minutes. Add liquid sweetener, butter, milk/cream to taste. 

Cream of wheat/Farina plumps so much more than oats. I use 1/3c and no toppings. 

What kind of toppings?

• Dried fruit like cranberries are easy & cheap
• Chopped or shaved nuts are great
• Seeds like pumpkin or sunflower 
• Powdered nut butters
• Seasonings galore! 

Want some combination ideas? 

• Cranberries and walnuts
• Cranberries and shaved almonds
• Cranberries (don't judge me I went to costco) and candied ginger, also with nuts
• Dried apple and powdered peanut butter with a dash of cinnamon
• Almonds, candied ginger, and chai seasonings (garam masala, cardamom, black pepper)
• Coconut flakes
• Using polenta, top with sundried tomatoes
• Keep thinking! 

Millet though... that doesn't work so well. That will have to be a rice cooker meal.