Instant Oatmeal Packets

I'm not one who embraces making convenience food, but here is a recipe my family begs me to keep on hand. I am happy that this is mucho healthier than the ones bought at the store AND the proportions are better. My family is older and the serving sizes of the commercial brands are less than satisfying for breakfast. The big plus for this is that may DH loves to put some of them in his locker at work for a snack.

INSTANT OATMEAL PACKETS

Makes 8 single serving packets

3 cups quick oats
Salt
8 plastic sandwich bags or ordinary envelopes, approx. 6 1/2 by 4 inches

Put 1/2 cup oats in a blender and whirl at high speed until powdery; reserve in a small bowl and repeat procedure with an additional 1/2 cup of oats. If using a food processor, powder the 1 cup of oats in one motion.

Into each sandwich bag put 1/2 cup unpowdered oats, 2 tablespoons powdered oats, and a scant 1/4 tsp salt.

You can store it like this and then add your flavors, but I like to add them ahead of time and I haven't had any problems so far.


Here are the different flavors and what to add:

APPLE-CINNAMON OATMEAL:

1 T sugar, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, and 2 T of chopped dried apples

SWEETENED OATMEAL:

1 T sugar

CINNAMON-SPICE OATMEAL:

1 T sugar, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, and pinch of nutmeg

OATMEAL WITH RAISINS AND BROWN SUGAR:

1 T brown sugar and 1 T raisins

WHEAT GERM OATMEAL:

2 T wheat germ.

To Serve: Empty packet into a bowl. Add 3/4 cup boiling water; stir and let stand 2 minutes. Add more or less water to adjust thickness if desired.

Note: This recipe will not be as sweet as the commercial brands so add more sweetener if you want to.