How to Make Oatmeal Variations
There's a lot of "designer" oatmeal for sale these days. Not only is there an abundance of flavors, but there's also oatmeal specially made for women, for weight control or featuring other health claims. However, a lot of flavored oatmeal contains artificial ingredients and preservatives, while those health claims are gimmicks aimed to sell at a higher price. All you need to do is buy a box or container of plain oats (try the quick-cooking rather than the instant), and add in separate ingredients yourself.
Instructions
-
-
1
Follow the directions on your quick-cooking oats. Choose from a variety such as steel-cut, Irish style or old-fashioned. Then choose one of the add-ins that follow below.
-
2
Thinly slice a banana and stir it in during the last two minutes of cooking. Mix it well. The banana will give your oatmeal a fluffy texture. Once cooked, spoon into a bowl (use a wooden spoon for best taste) and then stir in a spoonful of peanut butter.
-
-
3
Cook up a serving of oatmeal and once cooked, add in blueberries and a splash of real cream. (Uncooked, blueberries will retain more antioxidants). Stir thoroughly.
-
4
Add in 1 tbsp. of real maple syrup during the last minute of cooking. Top with 2 tbsp. of walnut halves upon serving.
-
5
Toss in 1/3 cup of dried apple rings, cut into fourths, and 1 tsp. each of ground nutmeg and cinnamon during the last two minutes of cooking.
-
6
Treat yourself to chocolate oatmeal. Stir in 2 tbsp. of dark or milk chocolate chips along with a pinch of salt during the last three minutes of cooking. Stir it thoroughly to melt chocolate.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Other nut butters work just well. Try almond or cashew butter for variation.
Substitute blueberries with strawberries.
Watch the oatmeal as you cook it, stirring continuously, or it will burn at the bottom.
