Tres Leches Oatmeal
I have always known that breakfast is supposed to be the most important meal of the day. Even without all the research telling me so, it just makes sense. I’ve gone around 8 hours without eating or drinking anything. My body definitely needs some good fuel ASAP upon waking, or I’m not going to have the energy I need to take care of my kids and tackle my to-do list.
That doesn’t mean I have always made breakfast the most important meal of my day. As a busy, work-at-home mom (and even before my work-at-home days) I am often distracted by meeting the needs of the small people in our home, planning my day around their schedules, and eventually eating breakfast when it becomes convenient. And it wasn’t always the kind of breakfast my body needed to get a head start on the day.
For the New Year, one of my goals is to make breakfast a more important meal of the day. I’m happy to say that although I am getting up earlier to accommodate eating breakfast on my own schedule, I feel more energetic. I know that is because I’m finally making the right kind of breakfast a priority.
I like to eat something hearty, but fast, and oatmeal often fits the bill for me. It’s simple enough to prepare when your brain is still half asleep and can be dressed up with a number of different toppings for creative and new flavors every morning. Another plus is that my daughter enjoys oatmeal too. If she is up early with me, we have breakfast to share together; moments like those are some of the kitchen memories I treasure the most.
To aid us in our quest to make breakfast important, I am pleased to introduce you to a new digital application created by Quaker – “CrEATe Your Day.” Just go to Quakeroats.com/createyourday, input your information a day ahead, either for you, a spouse, or friend, and the application will create a custom virtual oatmeal creation along with an inspirational message known as “Oatmail.”
Quaker is also providing two oatmeal starter kits for me to giveaway to two randomly selected readers to help inspire you to make your own creations in the kitchen. The kits include Quaker Oatmeal and a place setting for your breakfast table.
The Rules:
- Comment on THIS post by 11:59 pm PST February 11th
- Anonymous comments: leave your email address and first name in the comments.
- 2 random winners will be announced February 12th.
- Open to US and Canada residents only.
Extra Entries: Additional entries can be earned by doing any of the following, giving you a total of 4 entries. Leave a separate comment for each of your entries.
- Go to quakeroats.com/createyourday and make a custom creation. In the comments tell me what the creation was.
- Tweet about this giveaway. Include @goodLifeEats and a link to the giveaway in your tweet. Leave the link to your Twitter post in a comment.
- Subscribe to goodLife {eats} via email or RSS reader. New Subscribers only.
What is your favorite way to prepare oatmeal? Do you like it plain and simple? Or do you have a special ingredient that you like to jazz it up with? I love lots of texture in my oatmeal. Some of my favorite toppings include flax seeds, nuts, and fruit (fresh or dried).
Tres Leches Oatmeal
a goodLife {eats} creation
- 1 packet Quaker Oatmeal, original flavor
- 1 tablespoon whole flax seed
- 1 teaspoon butter
- boiling water
- 3 tablespoons evaporated milk
- 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons half and half
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/8 teaspoon rum flavoring
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- garnish: 1 kiwi, diced
- honey, optional
Combine the 3 milks (tres leches): evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and half and half. Add the vanilla, rum, and cinnamon. Whisk and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the oatmeal, flax, and butter. Add hot water according to package directions. Stir. Pour the milk on top of the oatmeal and garnish with diced kiwi. For a little extra sweetness, you may drizzle the top with a bit of honey or agave. Serve. Strawberries, mango, and pineapple also go nicely.
To participate in the Quaker Oatmeal Create Your Day program, I was compensated for writing this post regarding my experience. I was not told what type of creations I should make nor did Quaker require me to use any specific ingredients.
Related Links:
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal
Cherry and Tangerine Oatmeal
Casey says
During the winter I live off of pumpkin pie oatmeal and oatmeal made with coconut milk. This recipe looks awesome and I may try it in the morning.
Anonymous says
while i love to use oatmeal in baking i never just eat a bowl of it. your creation might inspire me to do that.
Sarah says
your creation sounds so so great!
We Are Not Martha says
I love oatmeal! Most usually with some cinnamon… If I want a treat I add some maple syrup too. SO good :)Sues
Grapefruit says
Oh my, I'm a fool for anything 'tres leches'. Your oatmeal looks awesome and I can't wait to try it out for myself.
Sharon says
I'm definitely an oatmeal fan though I've never known oatmeal to be particularly photogenic…until I saw yours!
Jamie says
Katie- This sounds absolutely scrumptious! I believe in moderation and almost all recipes can be adapted to be a bit healthier and fit into different lifestyles! Great photos!
Anonymous says
Kara,I will agree that a canister of rolled oats is a much better alternative to instant oats. However, you have completely missed the point of this post, which had you not been so judgemental you might have taken the time to read the point of this point. Do not jump on Katie's back, for that is rude.
Lisa says
My creation: Raisin & Spice, topped with blueberries and walnuts. Yum!
Jan (Family Bites) says
Great post, Katie. I happen to think it looks, and sounds delicious.
Maria says
I can't wait to try this for breakfast. A great treat!
Lisa says
Oatmeal is my workday staple! It's really quick: 1/2 c. oatmeal + 2 T. ground flaxseed + dash of salt, mix with hot water; eat with milk and a spoonful of brown sugar. Haven't gotten sick of it yet! designbylisa {at} gmail {dot} com
Katie @ goodLife {eats} says
Kara – as posted in a foot note on this post, this was sponsored post by Quaker oatmeal "Creat Your Day" campaign, which uses Quaker Instant Oatmeal packets as well as to help spread the word about the "Oatmail" and Share our Strength campaigns. Obviously, this recipe is not diet food, nor was it suggested that it was. It was simply my creation using a packet of plain oatmeal. There is nothing wrong with eating, as you say, "decadent" food once in a while when coupled with daily exercise and healthy eating habits. It is about moderation. I certainly wouldn't tell someone to eat this every day.
Kara says
Wow, that's a decadent bowl of oatmeal. I'm assuming from your pictures that you can definitely do it without worrying about the calories or fat (you're healthy, you expend a lot of calories fulfilling your multiple roles all day, and I'm sure you're not eating a bunch of junk food, I totally get it), but I hope "Deanna" up there who's trying to lower her bad cholesterol doesn't try this with the butter, half and half, etc. My question is, why the packet? I just looked up the ingredient list for Quaker Instant Oatmeal packets, and I quote: whole grain rolled oats, sugar, natural and artificial flavor, salt, calcium carbonate, guar gum, oat flour, caramel color, niacinamide, reduced iron, vitamin A palmitate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, thiamin mononitrate, folic acidThe ingredient list on my canister of Quaker quick oats: whole grain rolled oatsHuh.I get that the last several items on that first ingredient list are added vitamins, which, fine. But guar gum? Artificial color and flavorings? Extra salt and sugar? I don't get it. All you need for oatmeal is a canister of oats (even quick oats–cook as fast as a packet, but with no weird additives or chemicals. They're just par-cooked to make them cook faster at home) and a 1/2 cup scoop. Then add sugar and other toppings to your heart's content–at least you know what's going in there. Why pay more and eat all that other junk when there's such a pure substitute for less money sitting right next to it at the grocery store?I'm not one to criticize what other people eat, honestly (in spite of appearances, I know) but when you see it as your job to educate others on how to eat better, this post just struck me as interesting.
JC says
It was fun! My creation was Eye Opener Oatmeal.Cinnamon pecan topping with coffee beans, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Tammy says
I like mine with strawberries and a bit of sugar but yours looks awesome so I might have to try it out.