Frugal Mania

I’m toying with some regular features for Frugal Mania and Mondays are going to be known from now on (I think) as “Frugal Menu Monday”.

My plan is to make sure that at least once every week I include information and instructions that will allow you to create at least four new complete frugal meals each month.

For the record, the only reason I chose Monday is because ‘Menu Monday’ sounded better than ‘Menu Wednesday’.

For this week’s meal, we are going to do a simple breakfast food from scratch.  It is far better for you and will save you tons of money too! 

If you don’t already do it, breakfast foods are a great meal idea for any time of day.  I especially love breakfast for dinner!  This recipe is for oatmeal pancakes, and I found it on one of my absolute favorite web sites on the ‘net, Hillbilly Housewife.

• 2 cups dry oatmeal
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 medium eggs
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

I am quoting The HH recipe now:

This is best started the night before, making it a good weekend breakfast. Get out a large bowl. In it combine the oatmeal and buttermilk. Stir well. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. You could just let it sit for an hour or so, but the overnight soak is what give these pancakes their characteristic texture.

I have to admit that she’s got a point.  The longer overnight soak does make a huge difference in the texture.

The next morning, take the bowl out of the refrigerator. Add the eggs, oil, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Beat well with a wire whisk. Fry the pancakes on a hot well oiled griddle or skillet. Use about 1/4 cup batter per pancake.

Now before you think this is too much work, it really doesn’t take very much time at all and once you have made this recipe once you will never want to use baking mix again.

If the batch is too much for you, make up the excess and freeze them.  These oatmeal pancakes are absolutely delicious reheated and it will make for ultra fast and frugal breakfast food whenever you are ready for it!