Oatmeal and Hot Chocolate

When I tour I want to eat something in the morning that gives me some energy until my next meal. At the same time I want something that I can cook quickly while taking down my hammock, rolling up my thermarest and preparing to hit the road. My solution is the "Oatmeal and Hot Chocolate" breakfast and it's incredibly easy to do.

Ingredients

One or two packets of Instant Hot Chocolate
Multiple packets of Instant Oatmeal
Powdered mik
Marshmellows (if not included in the Hot Chocolate packet already)

Directions

I use only one pot on tour. When not being used to cook food it holds my MSR Dragonfly stove inside. Someday I'll get around to measuring it but I haven't done so yet.

1. This is the hardest part. Place water in a pot . The hard part is guessing how much water you need for a cup of hot chocolate and the oatmeal packets
2. Bring water to a boil. If you need lots of time to break camp then put it on low heat. If you are really anxious to leave then put it on the highest afterburner setting
3. Turn off stove
4. Open hot chocolate packet(s) and empty contents into drinking mug
5. Add water to drinking mug. Be careful not to burn yourself!
6. Stir hot chocolate until powder is no longer floating on top of the water.
7. Add marsh mellows if not already part of the hot chocolate mix
8. Carefully open oatmeal packets one at a time and empty in to the pot with the remaining water stirring after every pouch is added until the needed consistancy is reached. You want to end up with oatmeal at a slightly wetter consistancy then your normal preference.
9. Mix in some powdered milk until the oatmeal is at your preferred consistancy

Tips and Tricks

1. Eat fast enough that the oatmeal doesn't have a chance to dry in the pot making it like cement to clean
2. Save the empty oatmeal packets and use them when you are finished eating to clean the pot and spoon.
3. If you are at all concerned about the cleanliness of the spoon at your next meal just drop the spoon into the pot and let it come to a boil with the water. Obviously the type of spoon may make a real difference in how well this works for you. I use Lexan cutlery and so far nothing's melted nor have I grown extra ears.
4. I find that by adding the powdered milk it increases the amount of energy I gain from the meal and allows me to go longer before I get really hungry. Very handy if you want to eat lunch in a restaurant and you are far from one.
5. I am really tempted to try adding some dried fruit to the oatmeal mix during my next tour. Details will eventually follow!