Instant Oatmeal ???

Instant Oatmeal is one of the most remarkable products in the grocery store. I say that not because Instant Oatmeal is convenient, attractive, kid-friendly or parent-pleasing, although it certainly is all those things. Instant Oatmeal is remarkable because it is an outstanding example of how clever marketing can overcome common sense.

The following rant-and-rave has been brought on by a contest  sponsored by a major oatmeal company (as if we don't know who THAT is.) Celebrity chefs supposedly inspire a "recipe" in which toppings are created for instant oatmeal, viewers vote online and the winning chef receives $10,000 for a favorite charity.

Why would I find that offensive and worth of a rant-and-rave? For one thing, slicing fruit over oatmeal is NOT a recipe. More importantly, in my opinion, Instant Oatmeal is not food.

Why did the world even need Instant Oatmeal? We already have Quick Oats that cook in about a minute, and "Old Fashioned Oats" that cook in about 5 minutes. That doesn't amount to a whole hunk of time saved. For that matter, when Quick or Old Fashioned Oats are heated with water or milk in the microwave, they are both just as "instant" as Instant Oatmeal.

So exactly why have the savvy shoppers of the western world so enthusiastically embraced Instant Oatmeal?  Are we toting those oatmeal packets off to work with us, to stir up in our cubicles with hot water from the office coffee machine? Or are we sending them off to school with the kids, to consume dry directly from the paper pouches, like high-fiber Pixy Stix?

Or maybe Instant Oatmeal saves us money? Let's see -- one of those big round boxes of Oatmeal  costs about $.12 per ounce and has around 30 servings. One box of the instant stuff contains 8 to 10 cute lil' packets and costs about $.26 per ounce, depending on the flavor. You could even buy the "Weight-Control" variety for $.32 per ounce, even though it has more calories than the original Instant Oatmeal. So I guess we aren't saving any money.

How about the carbon footprint? No . . . lots of little packets don't compare well to a single cardboard carton.

I could go on, but I think you get the idea. We've been sold a bill of goods on a products that is no more convenient, economical or nutritious (oops, I didn't even go into that, too scary) than the original natural minimally processed product.

Actually, oatmeal is an excellent food. It is a minimally processed whole food that provides good fiber and significant protein, at least when it isn't fiddled with too much. I'm even going to include a link to the Quaker Oats website because they have some truly fine recipes for  their real oats. But remember to choose from the recipes with the same care as you choose from their products: carefully reading the listed ingredients before deciding whether you want it in your kitchen.

Following the jump, you'll find a  recipe of my own that came about when I needed a dessert for a Thanksgiving gathering that didn't require a fork and plate. It doesn't involve any Instant Oatmeal, but it has lots of whole  food flavor.

Recipe: Oatmeal Pumpkin Bars

Note: as always, if you can't use butter because of lactose intolerance, use a natural substitute. We consider the problem in the article on schmaltz.

Crust: 

1 c. flour (spelt or whole wheat both do nicely)
1 c. oats (quick or old fashioned)
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. butter
1/2 tsp. salt

Combine with fingers until crumbly then press onto the bottom of a 9" x 13" pan. (That's a 9" x 13" jelly roll pan in the photos.)
Bake 5 minutes at 350 degrees.

Filling:
1 can (1 lb.) pumpkin
2/3 c. evaporated milk or coconut milk
2 eggs
3/4 c. raw sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon

Combine and pour over crust.
Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Topping:
1/2 c. nuts, coarsely broken
1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. oats
2 Tbs. butter

Mix until crumbly. Sprinkle over partially baked filling.
Bake an additional 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
Cool completely before cutting into bars.
Serve room temperature or chilled. Refrigerate or freeze leftover bars.

These Oatmeal Pumpkin Bars may not be "instant" but I think you're going to like them.