Overnight German Chocolate Oatmeal

I don't know why it took me over half of the school year, but I finally bought my son a insulated container so that he can take hot foods to school for breakfast.  This simple $5 purchase has opened a world of possibilities for healthy breakfasts for him.  As an oatmeal fan myself, the first morning we had the container, I made him a packet of oatmeal.  It was great, but the packets have their limitations, including cost and sugar content.  Enter steel cut oats cooked overnight.  Chocolate steel cut oats cooked overnight.  Chocolate steel cut oats with brown sugar and walnuts.  So. Good.  And even though you add brown sugar as a topping (it melts so perfectly), you control the sugar content and there is still less than in most packets of oatmeal.  This recipe makes a large quantity, so after the first day all I do is heat it up in the morning and throw on some toppings.  Who wouldn't like (healthy) German Chocolate for breakfast?

INGREDIENTS:

The only other ingredient is water (plus some optional toppings)!

• 2 c. steel cut oats
• 7 c. water
• 1 (13.5 oz.) can lite coconut milk
• 1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

Optional toppings:

• Brown sugar
• Chopped pecans or walnuts
• Sweetened, shredded coconut

DIRECTIONS:

1. Stir together oats, water, coconut milk, and cocoa powder in a slow cooker.
2. Cover, and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
3. To serve, top (in order) with brown sugar, pecans, shredded coconut to taste.

My husband calls this "No Bake Cookie Oatmeal."

Difficulty: very easy

Time: 5 minutes to prep, 6-8 hours to cook in slow cooker

Source: www.ihearteating.com

Hawaiian Grilled Chicken

I simply cannot express how good this chicken is.  It is hands down the best chicken we have ever grilled.  We even served it to guests this summer who agreed that it was amazing.  I do think that it is important to use thighs for this recipe, but I imagine it will be fine with bone-in thighs as well as the boneless.  Be sure to make more than you think you need, though; My kids and husband devoured this, leaving me with no leftovers.  When we were feeding two guests in addition to my family of four, I nearly doubled the amount of chicken and again it all disappeared.

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup soy sauce (consider low sodium)
• 1 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1 bunch of green onions, chopped (reserve some for garnish)
• 1/4 cup of a white onion, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
• 1 (13.5 ounce) can of coconut milk

DIRECTIONS:

1. Trim fat from chicken thighs. Mix all remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Add chicken, gently toss to coat, and marinate for at least 8 hours or overnight to make sure the flavor gets infused.
2. Grill chicken at a low heat (so that the marinade does not burn) for 5-7 minutes per side or until done. 
3. Serve over rice with green onions and a some additional soy sauce.

Difficulty: easy

Time: 10 minutes prep, 8 hours or overnight for marinating, 15 minutes grilling

Source: Adapted from http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2011/05/hawaiian-grilled-chicken.html