Oatmeal On-The-Go

If you are any kind of foodie at all, you've probably seen this idea for 'no-cook' oatmeal breakfast before. Once I saw it and tried it, I began seeing recipes everywhere.  BALL canning jars are very trendy right now. Who knows, maybe that was the initial appeal.  Since I love oatmeal and eat it several times a week, I thought it would be a nice change.  It's turned out to be a  great 'grab and go' meal; I love that it's prepared ahead of time.  Additionally, it's another way to get added chia seeds and flaxseed in my diet.

Basic Recipe:

1/2 c. old fashioned oats
1 tsp. chia seeds
1 tsp. ground flaxseed
1/2 c. almond milk
sweetener (I like a few drops of Stevia)
or a few shakes of Erythritol

Personalize your oatmeal by adding one of these variations:

2 T. pure pumpkin,  1/2 tsp. vanilla extract, 1 T. raisins, 1 T. chopped walnuts, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 very ripe banana (mashed), 1 T. chopped pecans, 1-2 chopped dates, 1 T. dried blueberries, 1/2 tsp. almond extract

1/2 c. applesauce (or chopped apple), 1 T. dried cranberries, 1 T. pecans, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Mix all ingredients well, spoon into your favorite air-tight container and refrigerate overnight.  Oatmeal will be ready to grab and go in the morning.  Or, make in the morning and eat for a light supper meal with fresh fruit.

I prepare several servings at one time and have a week's worth of breakfasts at the ready.  YUMMERS!

Not Your Grandma's Potato Salad

4 small baked **red potatoes, skin on, cut into cubes

2 cups cooked cauliflower florets (you can use an entire head of cauliflower in this recipe.  I have.   It still tastes like potato salad.)

Boil, bake or microwave (I nuke for speediness) the potatoes and cauliflower until done, whichever you prefer.  Keep a window open or a fan on in the kitchen since cooking  cauliflower  has its own special aroma.  This salad tastes great WARM.

Instead of the traditional mayonnaise (nope, not even veganaise)--- I add only spicy brown mustard, a few shakes of white wine vinegar, fresh ground pepper, parsley flakes and a pinch of garlic powder to the warm potato mixture.  Toss well!

Add chopped onion (1/2 cup) red (or green or both) bell pepper (one whole, chopped), dill pickles (just one large or two small, chopped), grated carrots (1/2 cup),  black olives (about 10, chopped), and 1-2 cups baby spinach leaves, sliced thin (this is not pictured in the collage above).  *Optional addition:  sprouted lentils (steamed for a minute or two before adding) or alfalfa sprouts.

Blend in all ingredients. Taste and add more mustard or vinegar if you need more ‘zest.’  Salad tastes great warm…and very good for leftovers.  I’m guessing there will not be much ‘leftover.’

YUMMERS!


**I have used all kinds of potatoes for this recipe.  I like the small red but the Yukon Gold and Idaho spuds are also delish.