Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal - Gluten and Dairy Free

***One of my children has become severely allergic to oats...so while I do make this for the rest of the family occasionally, I don’t do it very often.***

This recipe will always remind me of my dear 8 year old son.  Last summer when it was his turn to help make breakfast, he wanted to make this.  We made it and immediately fell in love.  

Unlike my other baked oatmeals, this recipe is more custard like.  This is why I love it.  It is so delicious.  Give it a try.  You wont regret it. 

Plus - it fulfills one of my main goals in life:  Feed my children veggies for breakfast!  

Bwahahahaha! 

Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal - Gluten and Dairy Free

3 1/2 cups old fashioned oats 

2 1/4 tsp. cinnamon

2 1/4 tsp. baking powder 

1/4 heaping tsp. salt 

1/2 tsp. ginger 

3 c. packed shredded carrots 

4 c. milk of choice ( I use one can of full fat coconut milk and the rest rice or coconut from a carton.) 

1/2 c. maple syrup 

3 tsp. vanilla 

1/4 c. raisins 

Combine all ingredients and mix well.  Pour into a 9 X 13 pan.  Cook at 375* for 40 mins.  

Serve with milk or if you're feeling especially decadent - some coconut cream! 

Yum yum. 

PS: For extra ease in the morning you can mix this up the night before and just let it cook while everyone is getting ready in the morning.  I love easy mornings.  Easy mornings and veggies for breakfast . . . my life goals. Ha. 

Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken and Rice - Gluten and Dairy Free - Instant Pot too!

EDIT: Instant Pot version below - using frozen chicken! Also you can cook rice in the instant pot at the same time! 

Crockpot's are the perfect answer to hot summer evenings, amiright? 

I can't stand turning on the oven when it is so hot, but the crockpot provides the perfect meal without heating up the kitchen. 

Win, win. 

 Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken and Rice - Gluten and Dairy Free

4 frozen chicken breasts

1/2 c. gluten free soy sauce (low sodium is good)

1/2 c. chicken broth 

1, 20 oz. can of pineapples, reserve juice

3 Tbsp. honey

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. ground ginger 

1/4 c. arrowroot powder (corn starch can substitute)
1/2 c. cold water 

Place frozen chicken in crockpot.  After opening can of pineapples, drain juice into a bowl, then pour pineapples on top of chicken. (This is not shown in the picture, but just trust me. Do it! Yum.) Add the rest of the ingredients, except the arrowroot powder, to the pineapple juice and whisk until sugar is dissolved.  Pour over chicken and cook for 5 hours on high in crockpot.   

Remove chicken and shred.  Put arrowroot powder in a small bowl and slowly whisk in cold water until it is smooth and lump free.  Stir into the teriyaki sauce until incorporated. Add chicken back in and stir till combined.

Serve over rice.

**This makes a really great freezer meal.  Just add all ingredients except the arrowroot powder and water to a gallon ziploc bag.  Freeze.  Defrost in fridge overnight then cook on low for 8 hours. Proceed as normal. Yum!

Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken and Rice - Gluten and Dairy Free

*Add frozen chicken and pineapples to instant pot. 

*Mix your reserved pineapple juice with the soy sauce, broth, honey and spices. 

*Pour over chicken and pineapples, in the instant pot.
(**If you want to cook your rice in the IP also, see below for directions.) 
*Seal vent and cook on High Pressure (manual) for 15 minutes, then Quick Release pressure.
*When pressure has all released, remove chicken and shred.
*Before returning to pot, turn on "sauté" function.
*In small bowl whisk arrowroot powder and cold water till smooth.
*Add to soy sauce/broth mixture and whisk.
*Return chicken to pot.

If you want to cook your rice in the Instant Pot at the same time:
* After adding chicken, pineapples, sauce and spices to the Instant Pot, place your trivet on top of the frozen chicken.
*Place an oven safe bowl on top of trivet.
*Add 3 cups of rice and 4 1/2 cups of water to bowl.
*Continue with IP directions above.
PEASE NOTE:  This will cook your rice perfectly for this meal, but you will get some sauce/broth in the rice, so it will be slightly flavored.  (In case you wanted rice leftover for another meal and didn't want it flavored with sauce/broth.)

Yum! 

Basic Oatmeal - Gluten and Dairy Free

***One of my children has become severely allergic to oats...so while I do make this for the rest of the family occasionally, I don’t do it very often.***

Is it just me, or is it supremely hard to do anything other than the kids during summer time?  Six kids, home all day, just me and the kids means I have little time for anything else.  

Alas, here is a simple, basic recipe that you probably already know how to make! 

Basic Oatmeal - Gluten and Dairy Free

Use 1/2 c. of oats (gluten free if needed) and 1 c. of water per person 

Dash of salt (don't forget!)

Bring water and salt to a boil.  Add oats and turn heat down to low, simmering until oats are done and water is gone. 

Serve with your choice of dairy free milk, fruit, and brown sugar. 

Delicious!