The Evolution of Oatmeal

 

My daughter and I had oatmeal for lunch today.  Oatmeal was one of her first solid foods and continues to be a favorite.  Of course, the oatmeal I serve her now is very different than what I served her as a baby.

 

 

Baby Oatmeal (6 months+)

My daughter took one look at baby rice cereal and turned up her nose. I could hardly blame her. Fortunately, a neighbor told me I could make my own baby cereal using any whole grain. I also used this basic recipe with brown rice, but oatmeal was infinitely more popular.
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course Breakfast

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup oatmeal ground to powder in food processor or blender
  • 3/4 cup water

Instructions
 

  • Boil water in a small sauce pan. 
    Add oatmeal powder, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature before serving. 

Notes

This basic recipe can be mixed with any fruit or vegetable puree for variety.

As my daughter grew, I started adding all kinds of random things to oatmeal.  No fruit or vegetable was safe.

 

 

Young Toddler Oatmeal (8 months+)

This recipe is unlikely to appeal to most adults, but my daughter enjoyed it while she was getting used to different textures in food. It also sticks to a spoon, making it a great choice to practice self feeding.
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 4 mins
Total Time 9 mins

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup old fashioned oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup water can use half water and half milk
  • 1/4 cup bite size vegetables I used a frozen vegi mix containing corn, peas, and carrots

Instructions
 

  • Combine first two ingredients in a large bowl and microwave for 4 minutes. 
    Steam vegetables until soft (about 4-6 minutes).  
    Stir vegetables into the oatmeal.  
    Serve at room temperature

I love oatmeal too.  After much experimentation I found a optimal recipe for us to enjoy together.

 

 

Applesauce oatmeal (18 months+)

I started making this recipe for my daughter and I to share.  After several months, I found that I was getting hungrier and hungrier after lunch.  Someone was eating an ever increasing proportion of our oatmeal.  Now, my daughter gets her own bowl.
Prep Time 2 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Total Time 7 mins
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup old fashioned oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup applesauce
  • cinnamon to taste

Instructions
 

  • Combine first three ingredients in a large bowl
     Microwave for 5 minutes.  
    Stir in applesauce and cinnamon.

 

 

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