Actually, that's a bit misleading. I'm a HUGE fan of breakfast foods. Omelets, crepes, pancakes, waffles, bacon, donuts... yum! I just don't usually eat those foods in the wee morning hours. Probably because I drink a big cup of coffee right when I get up, but I digress.
Oatmeal has been one of the few things that I've been a huge fan of since I was a tiny kid. I can't tell you how many packages of instant oatmeal I've made. Now that I'm able to use a hot water spout without burning myself, I've come to like the not-so-sugar-packed oatmeal. If you still like the sweet stuff, good for you!
It's really, really, REALLY surprisingly easy to make your own oatmeal, and loads healthier than the instant stuff. It's also 100% customize-able, you just have to fiddle with the flavors until they are perfect for you.
Quick and Easy Banana Oatmeal
1C Milk or Water
Dash of Salt
1/2C Rolled Oats
1 Banana
Optional:
Brown sugar (amount varies to taste!)
Tools:
Small pot + lid
I get the Fred Meyers brand of rolled oats that looks a little something like this
Yes, it says
But it lies! The back has all of the instructions you need to cook them perfectly. I'm a "on the stove top" kind of lady, so I can't attest to microwave results.
They should look something like this...
Unlike the instant packages, the white stuff is just leftover oat powder from when they got rolled to kingdom come, not sugar.
So we follow the instructions on the back. I've found that they work really well and plenty fast for me. Heat up the liquid with a bit of salt, pour in the oats and stir on the heat for a minute. Then take off of the heat, add the lid and let them soak up the hot goodness for about 3 minutes (I'm at a bit of an elevation, so check them after 2. It will set up a bit also.)
While the oatmeal is setting, I pull out my eating bowl, peel the banana and cut it in half, and stick it and a spoon of brown sugar into my bowl. Since I'm not a fan of chunks in my oatmeal, I mash the bananers into mush with the brown sugar, then pour in the oatmeal and mix it up real good like.
Om nom nom.
Banana Variations:
Bananas Foster Oatmeal-
Either add a splash of rum to the mix (Booze with breakfast... why not!) or use some leftover bananas foster as a mix in. Either way, you'll be giving a pirate deliciousness.
Add Vanilla-
Seriously. Just add a splash of vanilla. Makes a world of difference. Or just do plain vanilla. Whatever you do, add more vanilla.
Add Cinnamon-
I'm not as big of a fan of this spice, but my mom loves to add plenty to her bowl of oatmeal. She says it goes great with the bananas. I'll take her word on it, she's been impressing people with food since before I was making mud pies.
Banana Nut-
My mom loves nuts. Lots. I'd suggest pecans, maybe almonds. Toasted is always good, or if you have candied nuts you can just hop off the "healthy" train here.
Other Kinds of Flavored Oatmeal:
I'm such a fan of banana, I haven't really branched out into other fruits. Here's the few that I have tried and want to pass along because, well, they were pretty tasty.
Apple Pie Oatmeal:
This is if you are having a lazy Sunday, or if you want to make a fancy tasty breakfast to impress someone. Or if your kids love apple pie. Everybody loves apple pie, I mean come on! In any case, it takes a bit longer to prep the apples, but I thought it was worth it. Totally worth it.
You'll need some apples, tart if you like or sweet if you don't. Like I say, any way you want it, that's the way you knead it. Cut them into bite size chunks and toss them into the pot you will use for oatmeal. Add some butter (no, don't try to use oil instead. I'll show up and knock your pot off the stove!) and let it cook down until the apples are almost tender. Sprinkle in some cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla, or any variation of spices you like in your pie. Pour the apples and whatever liquid they have created into your eating bowl, then proceed with the standard and time honored making-of-the-oatmeal. When its done mix it into your prepped apples.
If you want to out-fancy me, top it with some strudel.
Blueberry:
Tried this once with dried blueberries. Unfortunately it was the day after I tried Apple Pie Oatmeal, so my bar was set pretty high. Pretty much just toss some dried blueberries into your cooked oatmeal. Note that they won't add any sweetness like bananas or apples will.
These quick oats are really easy to dress up and make fantastic, much more than your usual bowl of cereal in the morning.
