Healthy Recipe

1 large avocado, 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, 1/2 cup greek yogurt, 1 teaspoon hot sauce, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 garlic cloves, 3/4 teaspoon salt. Enjoy!

Basic Formula for Making Refrigerator Oatmeal

I had fun experimenting with different flavor combinations and settled on six favorites. They all start with the same basic ingredients and procedure.

Step 1. Assemble these ingredients & supplies:

• old fashioned rolled oats (not instant, quick, or steel-cut)

• Greek yogurt (regular yogurt is thinner; if you use it, you'll need to reduce the amount of milk); read my post for easy instructions for straining regular yogurt to make Greek yogurt.

• milk (I used skim, but any kind will work)

• chia seeds; I bought mine at Whole Foods; also available on Amazon

• half pint (1 cup) mason jars, find them at Walmart and grocery stores; also available on Amazon

view basic supplies on Amazon:

1/2-pint mason jars, plastic lids for jars, chia seeds, rolled oats

Specific amounts of ingredients are listed with the individual recipes for each of the 6 varieties of flavored refrigerator oatmeal ; they are further down in this post. Click on the big teal bar below each flavor and that links to the recipe with detailed ingredients and instructions.

Step 2. Add oats, milk, yogurt, and chia seeds to jar, along with desired sweeteners or flavors (see options below).

Step 3. Put a lid on the jar and shake to combine. I use white plastic jar lids sized to fit canning jars--they last longer than the metal tops and rims that come with the jars, and they are easier to screw on and off; some Walmarts carry them, and they're available on Amazon.

• view on Amazon: white plastic jar lids

Step 4. Add fruit and stir gently until combined.

Step 5. Place in fridge overnight and up to 2 days; maybe longer depending on the type and ripeness of the fruit. The non-banana varieties have been good after 4 days for me.

During the overnight soak, the oats and chia seeds absorb the liquid and soften. They have a great eating texture by the next day.

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