Crockpot Oatmeal

Serves 6
**disclaimer on this recipe. It may not work for YOUR crockpot! A 2:1
ratio on water and oats may be better, OR it could burn. I know this
sounds flaky but you need to consider all the variables: brands of
crockpots, ages, models, sizes and the temperatures even, that they
operate on. Be FLEXIBLE with this recipe and experiment with it to
get it just right for your family. Don't try it overnight the first
time and work with it a bit. Oats are cheap and this is worth the
hassle in getting it just so.

1 cup old fashioned oats (NOT the quick cooking kind)
4 cups water

Throw this in a crockpot and let it cook overnight on low. That's it!!

For fun, add some chopped apple, raisins and cinnamon. YUM! The smell
of this first thing in the morning is glorious!

Pancakes and waffles are more "weekend" food. Who has time to make
them during the week? YOU do if you can get these mixes together.
Even better, you can make extra pancakes or waffles on the weekend,
freeze them in big freezer zipper topped bags and use them instead of
those expensive and less nutritious toaster waffles in the freezer
section in the store.

Here's a terrific mix:

8 cups flour (if you'd like an all whole wheat mix, use whole wheat
pastry flour from health food stores)
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups buckwheat flour (at some markets, but for sure at health
food stores. Optional)
1/2 cup cornmeal (stone ground)
1 1/2 cups oatmeal (blend in your blender till powdered)
2 cups buttermilk powder (this is in the baking section of your
market)
5 tablespoons baking powder
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 cup sugar (or sucanat-natural sugar at the health food store)
2 tablespoons salt

This will make four quarts. Mix all together in a very large bowl and
divvy up into gallon sized freezer storage bags. I would mark the
date with a Sharpie pen and keep it in the freezer although you can
keep in your pantry.

To make pancakes or waffles:

1 cup pancake mix
1 egg
1/2 to 2/3 cup water (start with the lesser amount first and add if
you need to)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

In a medium bowl, stir mix with water, egg and vegetable oil. Heat
your griddle and make your pancakes as usual! To make waffles, double
the batter and follow the directions for your waffle iron.

Basic Muffin Mix
Makes 11 cups

8 cups flour (again, if you prefer whole wheat, use whole wheat
pastry flour)
3 cups sugar (can use sucanat if you prefer, see note on pancake mix)
3 tablespoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons nutmeg

Combine everything in a large bowl and divide into freezer zipper
topped bags. Mark date with a Sharpie pen and store in the freezer or
cool dry place.

To make muffins:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a bowl, mix together 3 cups baking mix, 3 tablespoons vegetable
oil, 2 eggs, 3/4 cup milk and 3/4 cup berries, raisins, chocolate
chips or whatever else you'd like.

Bake in a prepared muffin pan-that means lightly greased (I prefer
the cupcake papers-easy clean up!), filling cups 2/3 full. Bake for
20 minutes or until nicely browned. Cool for five minutes in the pan
then turn out on to a rack to cool. Makes about 12 muffins, depending
on the size of your muffin tin.

Love, Leanne

www.SavingDinner.com