Recipe Redux: Apricot & Roasted Hazelnut To-Go Oats

My mother and I have an arrangement.  She gives me jam and pickled beets and the like, and I return the empty jars to her for the next go round.  Except when I don’t return the jars and begin to use them as my new Tupperware for traveling.  Usually it’s trail mix, granola or this time around, To-Go Oats.  She always eventually gets the jars back, as I start collecting too many.  In the meantime I have an excellent collection of portable containers.

The last several years have seen me as an on again/off again weekend traveler.  These next few weeks are no exception, as I will be on the road again and again until mid-September.  I am definitely counting down the days (less than 30, I hope!) until W moves back for good.  I’m squirming in my seat and imagining all the activities we can enjoy together that have been missed this last year.  I just can’t wait.

Though I’ve always been big on traveling with food and eating a consistent diet no matter the circumstances, after discovering all of those pesky dietary restrictions in the last couple years, it has become mandatory to travel with a bit of food insurance.  Throwing a batch of oats with all the fixings into a pan is my thing.  I can leave the cooler with every random pantry item that I mightneed at home. Instead, breakfast is all there in a convenient jar to be poured into a pan and made into a bowl of goodness.

I like to add both old-fashioned thick oats and steel cut oats because I like lotsof texture.  This batch includes a strangely addicting mix of fennel seeds, dried apricots, cinnamon and roasted hazelnuts.  It is happiness in a jar.  I always add fresh fruit, and this time around decided to double up on apricots, adding fresh red apricots to the top once cooked. The beauty of this mixture is if you’re an oat and yogurt kinda person, this is practically muesli-esque and can be used both ways.

Did I mention I am excited to now be participating in Recipe Redux?  This month’s theme is Raising the Bar on Food in a Jar.

Apricot & Roasted Hazelnut To-Go Oats, serves 1

1/4 cup old-fashioned oats*

2 Tbs. steel cut oats*

2-3 dried apricots, diced

1 Tbs. roasted Hazelnuts, chopped

1 Tbs. brown sugar or to taste

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

dash fennel seeds

1-2 fresh apricots or any available fresh fruit

• Measure into a clean jar, spin the lid, and shake.  You’re ready to go!
• To cook, boil 1 cup water in a small saucepan.  Add entire contents of jar, turn heat to medium and cook about five to 10 minutes, depending on desired consistency.  

* I use Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free oats, but any brand will work, if you’ve no gluten problems.