Homemade Oatmeal Packets

Basic ingredients:

1/3 cup Oats
Pinch of salt
Sweetener of choice
3/4 cup water, milk, almond milk, etc.
Snack-sized ziploc bag + sharpie for labeling

The type of oats will determine the cooking time in the microwave. For quick oats, 2 minutes should be plenty. Follow the instructions on the container of oats that you buy.
Make sure the container you use can hold about twice the capacity needed for the ingredients - it will bubble up in the microwave and possibly overflow so watch it carefully.

FLAVOR VARIATIONS

Apple Cinnamon
1/3 cup oats
pinch of salt
1 Tbsp dark brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
chopped freeze dried apples


Peanut Butter Banana
1/3 cup oats
pinch of salt
1 Tbsp light brown sugar
1 Tbsp PB2 powdered peanut butter
~5 slices freeze dried banana


Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana
1/3 cup oats
pinch of salt
1 Tbsp dark brown sugar
1 Tbsp PB2 chocolate powdered peanut butter
1 tsp cocoa powder (optional - the chocolate PB2 is not very chocolate-y)
~5 slices freeze dried banana


White Chocolate Strawberry
1/3 cup oats
pinch of salt
1 Tbsp light brown sugar
~1 Tbsp white chocolate chips
small handful freeze dried strawberries


Chocolate Strawberry
1/3 cup oats
pinch of salt
1 Tbsp light brown sugar
2 tsp cocoa powder
small handful freeze dried strawberries


Other flavor ideas (not yet tried):
Strawberry Banana
Maple Walnut (using maple sugar)
Blueberry Muffin (freeze dried blueberries, brown sugar, cinnamon, nuts?)
Pineapple Coconut
Chocolate Raspberry
White Chocolate Raspberry
Strawberries (or other fruit) and Cream (with powdered creamer, or just pour some half and half on top after cooking)

Healthy Banana "Ice Cream"

The idea is that you can freeze bananas, throw them in a food processor until the consistency is creamy, and it will be similar in texture to soft serve ice cream. The frozen banana will be crumbly at first but you have to keep blending it and it will become smooth - you do not have to add any liquid other that some vanilla extract which is optional.

BASE RECIPE:

2 ripe bananas

splash of vanilla extract

instructions:

Slice the bananas and freeze. Once frozen, add to a food processor (I used a Ninja) with the vanilla and blend until smooth.

CHOCOLATE:

add 1 to 2 Tbsp cocoa powder (you can use unsweetened) to the recipe above before blending.

PEANUT BUTTER:

Add 1 Tbsp peanut butter to the recipe above before blending.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER:

Add 1 Tbsp of peanut butter plus 1 to 2 Tbsp cocoa powder (you can used unsweeted) to the base recipe above before blending.

Mini Fruit Tarts with Mascarpone Cheese Filling

http://inncuisine.com/scrumptious-sides/behold-the-blueberry/

I made these over the summer for my graduation party and they were a pretty big hit, and really simple to make. I bought both blueberry and strawberry preserves and fresh strawberries and blueberries...to make half and half blueberry and strawberry. The strawberry ones seemed to be a little more popular.

If I recall correctly, my mom picked up 3 dozen phyllo shells for me to use in case some of them were broken. But, none of them were and I'm pretty sure I filled the whole 3 dozen.

Recipe:
1 cup mascarpone cheese (about 8 ounces)
1/3 cup well-chilled heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar
1/4 cup blueberry (or strawberry) preserves
fresh blueberries or strawberries
3 boxes frozen mini phyllo (fillo) shells

To Make the Filling

In a medium-size bowl, simply add the mascarpone cheese, well-chilled heavy whipping cream and confectioner’s sugar, and whip using an electric mixer until firm peaks form and the mixture holds its shape. Take care not to overwhip.

Preparing the Shells

Using thawed, mini phyllo (fillo) shells, spoon just enough blueberry or strawberry preserves (about 1/2 teaspoon) into each shell to cover the bottom. Next, spoon (or pipe in) mascarpone cheese filling (about 2 teaspoons) over the preserves until each shell is filled.

Top with a fresh blueberry or strawberry and serve immediately. This recipe produces approximately 3 dozen filled, mini phyllo shells.