Oatmeal Master Recipe With Variations

Steps:

• In bowl large enough for expansion, place oats and oat bran.
• Add milk and microwave for 80 seconds. Let sit to absorb if necessary. (Oatmeal base is by Annacia).
• VARIATIONS:.
• APPLE CINNAMON: 2 tbsps. semi-chunky applesauce, 2-2 1/2 tsps. brown sugar, 1/4-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, cinnamon chips (optional).
• STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM: 4-5 teaspoons strawberry jam, 1 tablespoons low-fat creamy strawberry yogurt, splash butterscotch extract or vanilla, optional brown sugar to taste, fresh chopped strawberries to top with (if in season).
• PUMPKIN: 3 tbsps. pumpkin, 1/4 tsps. pumpkin pie spice, 2 1/2 tsps. brown sugar. (By Annacia).
• CARAMEL APPLE: 5 tsps. applesauce, 1/8 teaspoons cinnamon, 2 1/2 tsps. caramel sauce, 1 teaspoon butterscotch chips, butterscotch extract.
• CHOCOLATE: 1 1/2 tsps. cocoa, 2 tsps. sugar, 1/4 teaspoons vanilla, 1-2 heaping teaspoons mini chocolate chips, spoonful nutella or peanut butter(optional).
• BANANA PEANUT BUTTER: 1/2-1 banana (chopped), 2 tsps. brown sugar, 1 tablespoon smooth peanut butter, banana flavour(optional), 1/4 tsp cinnamon, peanut butter chips(optional).
• BERRY CHEESECAKE: 1 tablespoons fat-free cream cheese, 2 heaping tsps. berry jam, small handful frozen blueberries (thawed with juice, add it in), caramel sauce to drizzle on top and sweeten the cheese.
• BERRY FRENCH TOAST: 3 tbsps. frozen berries (thawed with juice, add it in), 1/2 tbsps. ground flax seed, 1+ tbsps. maple syrup, 1/2 tbsps. margarine, 1/4-1/2 tsps. cinnamon. (By BeautifullyHuman).
• CINNAMON ROLL: 1 heaping tablespoons raisins or sultanas (add with water and oats before microwaving), 1 1/2 teaspoons nonfat cream cheese, 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 4 teaspoons brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoons vanilla, Icing sugar to garnish.
• BLUEBERRY PEACH: 1 tablespoons peach jam, 3 tbsps. frozen blueberries (thawed with juice, add it in), 1/8 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoons ground flaxseed, 1/2 tsp margarine/butter.
• FRUIT: 1/2 teaspoons margarine, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 1/2 tsps. brown sugar, 1 tablespoon fat free sour cream, pinch cinnamon, chopped fruit to top with.
• CRANAPPLE: 1 tablespoons dried cranberries, 7-8 tsps. applesauce, dash cinnamon, brown sugar to taste.
• HONEY NUTTY APRICOT: 2-3 chopped dried apricots, 1 tablespoons honey (or to taste), 1 teaspoons ground flaxseed, sprinkle cinnamon, splash vanilla.
• PEACHES AND CREAM: 3 heaping tablespoons canned peaches in juice (can be subbed with dethawed frozen for less desireable results), 1 tablespoon low-fat creamy peach yogurt, butterscotch extract or vanilla, brown sugar to taste.
• ZESTY BLUEBERRY: 3 tbsps. frozen blueberries (thawed with juice, add it in), a dash grated lemon rind, 3-4 teaspoons raspberry jam, 1/8 teaspoons cinnamon.
• MAPLE CINNAMON (optional) COTTAGE CHEESE: 2 tsps. light cottage cheese (optional), 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, 1-3 teaspoons brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, chopped fruit (banana in particular tastes good), chopped nuts, teaspoons brown sugar (optional).
• VANILLA RAISIN NUT SPICE: 2 tbsps. raisins (or craisins), 2 1/2-3 teaspoons vanilla-flavoured syrup, 1 teaspoons brown sugar, 1/8 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1/8-1/4 teaspoons cinnamon(to taste), 1 1/2 tbsps. sliced toasted toasted.
• PEANUT BUTTER AND JAM: 1-2 tablespoons berry jam (or to taste), 1-2 tablespoons peanut butter (or to taste), 1 teaspoons margarine, dash cinnamon.
• NUTELLA BANAPPLE: 1-2 tablespoons nutella (or other hazelnut spread), 1/2 chopped ripe banana, 2 teaspoons applesauce, dash cinnamon.
• S'MORES: 1 teaspoon skim milk powder, 2 graham crackers (crumbled as fine as you perfer), 1 1/2 teaspoons cocoa, 1/8 teaspoon vanilla, 1-2 teaspoons sugar, miniature milk chocolate chips (frozen or refridgerated so they dont melt right away), miniature marshmallows.
• BANANA SMASH: 1/2-3/4 of a banana, warmed then mashed (microwave for about 25 seconds on one side, then flip and microwave for an additional 10. This is if you use 3/4 banana. Adjust accordingly. Mash after the microwaving.) dash pumpkin pie spice, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, brown sugar to taste. (Adaptation of A.Lynne).

Steps:

• Mix the oatmeal, milk, and 4 cups water in a large, deep saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high heat. When it boils, quickly turn the heat down to very low.
• Stir in brown sugar, dried fruits, and salt and cook at a low simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until very thick and creamy. Stir often to prevent bottom of pan from burning.
• Serve with additional milk, or cool and chill to reheat later in the week.
• Variations:.
• Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal:.
• Swap 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped for the dried fruit Add 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, plus more for serving.
• Banana Nut Oatmeal:.
• Swap 1/2 cup pure maple syrup for the brown sugar and 2 bananas, chopped, for the dried fruit.