Monday, October 11, 2010

Coconut-Oatmeal Cereal




I wasn't too sure about this stuff. My kiddos really haven't had any type of coconut, so I didn't know if they would like it! They know what a coconut is, they just haven't really had it! The hubs is NOT a fan of it and I'm, well, it's not my fav, but if it's cooked or in something, just a little bit of it, then I'll eat it. But to have it all over a cake just sprinkled on, most likely I won't eat it...

So that being said, I went for it making this oatmeal cereal. It's really easy to make and you just store it in a zip lock baggie.

I've been trying to make more cereal and oatmeal (and other things) for the kiddos for breakfast lately. I mean, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You do need to start your kiddos off on the right foot, right?

I'm not gonna lie, mornings are pretty tough around here. Granted, they are getting oh so much better! My little man was getting up at 5 and wouldn't go back to sleep... I don't roll like that! Now if coffee would work for me, then maybe, but I was only getting about 2 to 3 hours of sleep a nite, he was up during the nite too. I would have to rock him back to sleep...

Now he's getting up around 6 to 7, but mostly around 7, which in my book is AWESOME!!!! So, I've been wanting to get up earlier to do some exercises, then do my devos, then shower. That way I'd be ready for my little munchkins and could fix them that nice hot breakfast that they so deserved! Now, I just have to get up earlier... ;) Easier said than done....

Ok, back to the recipe and breakfast...

So this isn't a hot meal, but it is a homemade oatmeal. And it is super easy to make, and the kiddos can pour their own and then put their milk on.



I used half white and half wheat flour


Add the coconut


Then the oatmeal


Then the sesame seeds


Then I added the sugar


Then the water and oil together. Again, I didn't think it was enough water, so I just kept adding a little bit of water at a time. I think I used about 1/2 cup of water and then only 5 tablespoons of oil.... But I honestly don't remember if it was that much water or not.... :\


Here it is after it's been baked. I know, totally yummy looking here, but it really is! The kids LOVED it and it was gone within 3 days! They ate it 3 days in a row and now I guess I better make some more! :)



Coconut-Oatmeal Cereal

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine in a large mixing bowl:

3 cups white or whole wheat flour
2 cups flake coconut
2 cups quick oatmeal
3 tablespoons sesame seed
3 tablespoons water
3/4 cup sugar
5 tablespoons oil
Mix well. Bake in 2 or 3 shallow baking pans until browned, about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to produce crumbles of desired size.
Serve as cold cereal.

*I forgot to mention this is from More-with-Less cookbook... ;)
I used half white and half wheat flour
I used more like 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup water, I didn't think it was sticking together enough... So, start out with the 3 tablespoons and just keep adding a little bit til it sticks together a bit...
I used 1/4 cup of sugar and that was plenty! I may not add any the next time...
I also used coconut oil instead of oil
I also used one baking pan, it was kinda full, so I recommend using the 2 pans! ;)