Over Night Oatmeal

As I have mentioned before, I am not a morning person. So, this make-ahead recipe is the kind that I adore.  It is a great substitute for those little oatmeal packets that are marketed to kids. And, I know exactly what we are putting into our bodies. This Over Night Oatmeal is an apple cinnamon flavor, but it works just as well with pumpkin. My favorite though is peach flavored made with my homemade fruit spread (pictured above is the peach) and cinnamon.

Soaking the oatmeal overnight gives it a different texture than traditionally cooked oatmeal. But, we like it better. And, because soaking the oatmeal serves to "cook" it, it only has to be heated in the morning. As a result, I never have to worry about bringing it to a boil and being too hot for my kids to eat when it is ready. I just heat it until it is warm enough to eat.

Over Night Oatmeal

2 cups old fashioned oats

¼ cup raw sugar

2/3 cup unsweetened apple sauce

¼ tsp cinnamon

1 cup water

1 cup milk

Stir together all ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight. 

To serve: Remove cover and microwave on high for 4-6 minutes, or until heated through. Stir and serve. Yield: 4 servings.

For Pumpkin Oatmeal – substitute pumpkin puree for the applesauce and pumpkin pie spice for the cinnamon.