Total Recipe cost: $0.64

Servings Per Recipe: 1 bowl

Prep time: 5 min. Cook time: 3 min. Total: 8 min.

INGREDIENTS COST 1/3 cup old fashioned rolled oats $0.07 2/3 cup water $0.00 1/3 cup vanilla yogurt $0.30 1/4 cup frozen blueberries $0.17 1/2 small banana $0.10 TOTAL $0.64

I ran across the concept of "yoatgurt" (yogurt and oatmeal) the other day on Bran Apetit and was immediately intrigued. I love oats and I love yogurt so substituting the cold milk that I usually pour over my oats with cold yogurt seemed quite natural and delicious. It appears that fans of yoatgurt usually opt for greek yogurt but I really can't see paying more money for yogurt that has simply had some of the water strained out. Yeah, I know, its thicker, creamier and yummier but plain 'ol vanilla yogurt did me just fine here. Lemon yogurt would have been even more delicious with the blueberries and bananas... Mmmmm...Anyway, I usually make steel cut oats but I wanted the flakey, flat texture of old fashioned rolled oats for this recipe. Plus I had some left over old fashioned oats from making apple crisp and I'm all about using up what's already in the cabinet. I wouldn't recommend quick oats because they don't have enough texture to contrast the gooey yogurt. Top your yoatgurt with whatever you like in your oats. Brandi at Bran Apetit uses almond butter which would bescrumptious.Welcome to the wonderful world of yoatgurt, I hope you stay a while.Place 1/3 cup rolled oats and 2/3 cup water in a microwave safe bowl (add a SMALL pinch of salt, if desired). Microwave on high for one minute. Stir and microwave on high for another minute. Watch the oats and make sure they don't boil over. You may have to stir once or twice during the second minute to keep it from over flowing.Once the oats have cooked, stir them and let them sit and thicken for about a minute. Top the oats with 1/3 cup of yogurt, 1/4 cup of frozen blueberries and 1/2 of a banana (sliced). ...Or whatever else you want on your yoatmeal!I know, I can hear you now, "of a banana? What you talkin' bout Willis?!"I find bananas rather filling and combined with oatmeal and yogurt, one whole banana would just be too much. Maybe it's not too much for you but if it is, simply slice the other half, place it in a zip lock bag or resealable container and save it for the next day. Or, surprise your loved one with a yummy bowl of yoatmeal and use the other half of the banana there. OR, slice and freeze the other half to use in smoothies. Frozen banana gives smoothies the most wonderful ice cream-like texture! Or... just eat the other half as a snack. Lots of options so don't cry over the unused half banana :)

Labels: breakfast, easy, fruit, Oats, quick, vegetarian