The BEST Oatmeal

Our Oat Flakes (or any of our other flaked grains) are a great way to start your day! You can cook them up in the morning, or make "overnight oats" by mixing the ingredients and putting them in your refrigerator the night before. Both recipes are below, and either way you get a quick, customizable, healthy breakfast with all the protein, fiber, and energy you need to get you day off to a great start!

Yield: approximately 4 servings

Ingredients

• 2 cups Janie's Mill Oat Flakes (You may substitute Wheat Flakes or Rye Flakes, and then extend the cooking time by 5 or 10 minutes.)
• 4 cups water (or 2 cups water and 2 cups milk, or all milk for the creamiest oatmeal)
  chopped raw nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds)
• 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste 
• 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
• Sweetener of your choice (brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, etc)
• Toppings of your choice (granola, fresh or dried fruit, nuts, etc.)

• Saucepan 
• Spoon to occasionally stir the oatmeal while cooking

Instructions for Cooked Oats

1. Put the oats and water (or milk) in a saucepan, and place over medium low heat.  
2. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes. Add more water if needed, or if you like a looser consistency. 
3.  Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes.  
4. Top with whatever you like, such as butter, milk, cream. sweetener, cinnamon, fruits or nuts.

How to Make Overnight Oats

Too busy to prepare oatmeal in the morning? Combine the ingredients the night before, and put them in the fridge! Then you'll have a wholesome, satisfying, "instant" breakfast ready to grab and go! 

1. Start by using a 1 to 1 ratio of oats and the liquid of your choice (water, regular milk, or plant-based milk). You can adjust this ratio to your taste by using more or less liquid. 
2. Put the oats and the liquid in a jar or other container. You may also add sweeteners (honey, maple syrup), spices (cinnamon is a favorite), and a dollop of yogurt at this point if you like. Give all the ingredients a  good stir before placing them in the refrigerator overnight. 
3. In the morning, add additional liquid and sweetener if you'd like. Once you achieve the desired consistency, put it your microwave (if you want hot oatmeal), and then top with fruit, nuts, granola, coconut, or whatever you like.
   

   Theme and Variations

Here are a few points of inspiration and adaptation:

• Top your oatmeal with seasonal fruits or whatever nuts, seed, or dried fruits you have on hand.   
• Instead of making the overnight oatmeal above, feel free to double or triple the cooked recipe, and then refrigerate the extra so that each morning you can simply scoop out a bowlful and put it in the microwave.