My hubby gets up at the crack of dawn for work. He adores his sleep, so he tends to get up at the very last minute, leaving little time for breakfast. He also adores his food, so I often hear that he wishes there were more quick, simple, and WARM breakfast options.
When he mentioned yesterday that he thought he'd like to try taking a few extra minutes in the morning to make himself a bowl of oatmeal, a number of frightening images popped into my mind. I pictured burned, sticky pots on the stove and forgotten bowls on the kitchen table. He simply doesn't fare well in the morning, in the kitchen. There isn't enough time!
But then, an old Apartment Therapy {the kitchn} post came to mind. I knew the recipe had been posted for make-ahead steel cut oats, which aren't what he wanted, but it gave me enough hope to keep searching.
{Are you still with me? How about another picture?}
What I came up with is what you see in the pictures above. It's a combination of suggestions and my own ideas, and it tastes so, so yummy. Topped with a bit of brown sugar, it's like a warm little slice of heaven in a jar. A jar! I think I'll try to join the food-in-a-jar movement, because eating my oats from a jar today made me pretty darned happy.
Anyway.
A very happy hubby called this morning to let me know that he LOVED his overnight oatmeal. Success! The best part is that he can grab the jar on the way out the door, and then make his oatmeal at work while he gets ready for the day.
You'll Need:
A Pint Jar {another microwave-safe container would work too}
1/2 Cup {gluten-free} Oats*
1 Cup Almond Milk*
A Sprinkle of Salt
Agave Nectar
Optional toppings... raisins, dried cherries, fresh fruit, brown sugar, peanut butter... you name it!
To Make:
The night before you plan to eat your oatmeal, fill a clean jar with the oats, almond milk, salt, and a bit of agave nectar. If you'd like to include raisins or dried fruit, add it the night before as well. The milk will soften the fruit.
Close up the jar, give it a shake to mix the ingredients, and stash it in the fridge.
When you're ready to eat your oatmeal, remove the metal lid and place the jar in the microwave for two minutes.
Carefully remove the jar from the microwave, as it'll likely be a bit hot. Stir in other toppings or sweeteners if you wish. I only added a bit of brown sugar to mine.
*Note: the same recipe can be made with non-gluten free oats and your milk of choice.
