“Quiet Time” Instant Pot Oatmeal
by Shelley Pineo-Jensen, Ph.D.
Mike and I have developed a ritual called “Quiet Time.” When we agree to Quiet Time, we make coffee and tea and the bed (Blue Wave!) and work on quiet projects. I generally write. I find that first thing in the morning is the best time for me to write – anywhere from forty minutes to two hours. The obstacle to this productivity is us.
We talk about everything, all the time. In fact, when I told the older of our two daughters about Quiet Time she burst into a cackling laugh. I knew why. Apparently, Mike and I talk to each other pretty more than is humanly possible, reasonable, or wise.
So if we just get up like normal and make breakfast, we pretty much talk until it’s time for Mike to go to work. Just sit there at the breakfast table and talk. We’re lucky to clean up the kitchen after the meal, do yoga, or clean up the dog. “Just one more thing” can be another hour. No issue too small, no topic too large, to avoid our interest.
So by the time that’s all over and Mike really has to start earning a living creating 3D models and building plans for spas for rich people, my focus for productive writing is no longer available. Hence, “Quiet Time.”
So this recipe for “Quiet Time Instant Pot Oatmeal” is part of my process to create time for writing AND have breakfast at some unfixed point in the near but indeterminate future.
Quiet Time Instant Pot Oatmeal
Serves two or else serves one hungry woman so she doesn’t need to eat again 15 minutes after breakfast is over.
Mike and I have developed a ritual called “Quiet Time.” When we agree to Quiet Time, we make coffee and tea and the bed (Blue Wave!) and work on quiet projects. I generally write. I find that first thing in the morning is the best time for me to write – anywhere from forty minutes to two hours. The obstacle to this productivity is us.
We talk about everything, all the time. In fact, when I told the older of our two daughters about Quiet Time she burst into a cackling laugh. I knew why. Apparently, Mike and I talk to each other pretty more than is humanly possible, reasonable, or wise.
So if we just get up like normal and make breakfast, we pretty much talk until it’s time for Mike to go to work. Just sit there at the breakfast table and talk. We’re lucky to clean up the kitchen after the meal, do yoga, or clean up the dog. “Just one more thing” can be another hour. No issue too small, no topic too large, to avoid our interest.
So by the time that’s all over and Mike really has to start earning a living creating 3D models and building plans for spas for rich people, my focus for productive writing is no longer available. Hence, “Quiet Time.”
So this recipe for “Quiet Time Instant Pot Oatmeal” is part of my process to create time for writing AND have breakfast at some unfixed point in the near but indeterminate future.
Quiet Time Instant Pot Oatmeal
Serves two or else serves one hungry woman so she doesn’t need to eat again 15 minutes after breakfast is over.
Tools:
Instant Pot
2 cup glass measuring cup
¼ cup metal measuring cup
Large silicone spatula
Cutting boards
Knives
Cereal bowl
Spoon
Instant Pot
2 cup glass measuring cup
¼ cup metal measuring cup
Large silicone spatula
Cutting boards
Knives
Cereal bowl
Spoon
Ingredients:
½ cup Bob’s Red Mill Steel Cut Oatmeal (7-minute version)
2 cups water
Cinnamon
Vanilla
Raisins
Banana (Note: the bananas in the picture are NOT over-ripe! They are the prefect amount of ripe!)
Blueberries or other fresh fruit or canned fruit for topping
Directions:
MAKE SURE THE LINER (POT) IS INSIDE THE INSTANT POT!
MAKE SURE THE SEALING RING AND FOUR OTHER LITTLE PIECES ARE ATTACHED CORRECTLY!
Put 2 cups of cold water and ½ cup oatmeal in Instant Pot.
Add some cinnamon and vanilla (to taste)
Set Instant Pot to “porridge/oatmeal” and change time to 3 minutes. Turn the “keep warm” setting on.
Start the Instant Pot. Walk away for a couple hours, or whatever. At least wait for the little dealio to drop down indicating that the pressure has subsided. If you want fast oatmeal – don’t use this recipe.
½ cup Bob’s Red Mill Steel Cut Oatmeal (7-minute version)
2 cups water
Cinnamon
Vanilla
Raisins
Banana (Note: the bananas in the picture are NOT over-ripe! They are the prefect amount of ripe!)
Blueberries or other fresh fruit or canned fruit for topping
Directions:
MAKE SURE THE LINER (POT) IS INSIDE THE INSTANT POT!
MAKE SURE THE SEALING RING AND FOUR OTHER LITTLE PIECES ARE ATTACHED CORRECTLY!
Put 2 cups of cold water and ½ cup oatmeal in Instant Pot.
Add some cinnamon and vanilla (to taste)
Set Instant Pot to “porridge/oatmeal” and change time to 3 minutes. Turn the “keep warm” setting on.
Start the Instant Pot. Walk away for a couple hours, or whatever. At least wait for the little dealio to drop down indicating that the pressure has subsided. If you want fast oatmeal – don’t use this recipe.
When you get hungry, perhaps an hour and twenty minutes later,
CAREFULLY LIFT THE LID SO THAT THE CONDENSATION ON THE LID DRIPS BACK INTO THE POT.
THE LID FITS NEATLY INTO A SPECIAL HOLDING SLOT ON THE TOP OF THE POT. USE THAT.
Add some raisins and a chopped-up banana, stir with big spatula, put the lid back on.
THE LID FITS NEATLY INTO A SPECIAL HOLDING SLOT ON THE TOP OF THE POT. USE THAT.
Add some raisins and a chopped-up banana, stir with big spatula, put the lid back on.
Make the rest of breakfast, like rinse blueberries to put on top, peel and cut up an orange for your loved one, make him some toast too, that kind of thing. By then, the banana should be warmed up and the raisins a bit softened. No one likes hard dry raisins, right?
When it’s time to serve the oatmeal,
TURN OFF THE POT!
When it’s time to serve the oatmeal,
TURN OFF THE POT!
The pot (liner) may be too heavy for your 71-year-old hands. (Almost 72, by cracky.) If this is the case, figure out a way to prop the bottom of the pot on something sturdy that won’t slip around, like the cool metal bucket from Grove that holds the dish washing supplies. Or you could use a really heave saucepan, perhaps one that you have stolen from the older of your two children.
Thus scaffolded, scrape all the oatmeal into a bowl. Serve with the blueberries or other fruit you have on hand. Canned peaches are good, cut into bite sized chunks.
Thus scaffolded, scrape all the oatmeal into a bowl. Serve with the blueberries or other fruit you have on hand. Canned peaches are good, cut into bite sized chunks.
PRO TIP:
PUT THE POT IN THE SINK AND FILL IT UP ABOUT 2/3 WITH WARM SOAPY WATER BEFORE YOU SIT DOWN TO EAT.
ALSO, TAKE THE LID AND PUT IT DIRTY SIDE UP ON THAT AND PUT WATER IN IT.
Unless you want to scrub dried oatmeal glued to the side of the device.
Bon Appétit
Dr. P-J
3/5/23
PUT THE POT IN THE SINK AND FILL IT UP ABOUT 2/3 WITH WARM SOAPY WATER BEFORE YOU SIT DOWN TO EAT.
ALSO, TAKE THE LID AND PUT IT DIRTY SIDE UP ON THAT AND PUT WATER IN IT.
Unless you want to scrub dried oatmeal glued to the side of the device.
Bon Appétit
Dr. P-J
3/5/23