Time to fill the pantry with some of our favourite’s Or Once a month cooking (OAMC)

Well with running two home, (Emma and I in Melbourne, and Baz in Seaspray). Barry is in the RAAF and is based in Sale Victoria at the moment. About 3 1/2 hours from us by car. We are very luck to have the use of a small beach house at Seaspray, which is about 1/2 hour form Sale. Baz lives there from Sunday night till Friday afternoon, and comes home to us most weekends. Emma and I spent most of the school holiday and some weekends up at Seaspray with Baz when we can.  We all enjoy the time we have there. Some times you can not be together as a family, but you make the most of what you have, and we are a lot luckier then most in the RAAF, Army or Navy. Some do not see there love ones for months on end.
So in saying this the family budget is pushed at times like most of us. I am cooking and buying for two homes. Baz can cook, but he works long hours some times and by the time he get back to the house, cooking is the last thing he is thinking of. When I am cooking for Emma and me, I will quite often do double and freezer what is left over in zip lock bags for later use or for Baz to take back with him.
I also find the dry pre-mixes are good to have on hand, but can get pricey. So here are some of my stand by favourite's, and some links that I have found and use as well. At times I make these for friends as gifts. I will be add adding more recipes and links as time goes buy. Here is a link to my pre-mixed pancakes. It is the last recipe on that page.
My pancake mix is also the perfect to take along on camping trips as there isn't a bunch of separate ingredients to mix up. Simply put the powder in a bowl and add your wet ingredients until the consistency is right.
I really have enjoyed this recipe and the ease of preparation. Also it is very economical to have on hand. Those small packets of pre-flavoured oatmeal do get pricey, and if you use a rice cooker it will cook it self. :)
I have this in Winter and use the rice cooker so I can walk away and have a shower and breakfast is done buy the time I get out, no rushing so you can enjoy have a good warm breakfast.
Dry Oatmeal Mix  OAMC

2 kg quick-cooking oats
4 cup dried fruit cut small. E.g. Dates, Apricots, Cranberries, Apples. 
4 tablespoon ground cinnamon
4 cup Water, 1/2 cup per serving to use when cooking
4 teaspoon Nutmeg
2 teaspoon ground cloves
1. In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients
2. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 6 months.
3. To prepare oatmeal: Shake mix well and measure out oatmeal into bowl, add water, and microwave for 3 minutes.
4. Or on a stove top, in a saucepan, bring water to a boil; slowly stir in 1/2 cup mix.
5. Cook and stir over medium heat for 1 minute.
6. Remove from the heat.
7. Cover and let stand for 1 minute or until oatmeal reaches desired consistency.
8. For Rice cooker:
9. Before going to bed  put 1 part  oats mix and 3 parts water in the rice cooker. (A full cup of oats will make three medium or two large servings.) Soaking overnight makes the oats cook more quickly and it also minimizes the risk of boiling over. In the morning, turn on the rice cooker and forget. Come back in approx 30 minutes later for a yummy, warm breakfast.
10. Some times I will use Milk or apple juice instead of water.
11. When serving add more milk to likening and honey if you like as well.

This is my Oat mix and the smaller one is my Cheat’s Spice Couscous mix
Servings: 50
Yield: A bloody lot
Cooking Times Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Recipe Type: Breakfast, Kid Friendly, Low Carb, Low Fat, Make ahead, OAMC, Rice cooker, Vegetarian
Tips
I have long had an on/off/warm rice cooker. I soak the oats overnight then pop it on in the morning, 30 minutes later a nice hot breakfast yip yar. Sometimes I will put in a grated apple when it putting together to cook
Nice to add cinnamon or grated apple, Add cinnamon to taste. I like a lot of cinnamon. I don't ever measure, so I can't tell you how much. But it's probably several tablespoons of cinnamon when I make it up as a dry mix.  You can use apple juice instead of milk, I mix all dry ingredients and store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 6 months. I make this up at a 2-3kg at a  time. :) Hope this helps
Source
Author: Jan Plater
Source: My cooking note book

Copyright: Jan Plater
A little side note. Look at what I just found with Google. Rainbow Pancakes, yes that is right rainbow ones. I think the next time we are at Seaspray and friends are staying for breakfast, I am going to give these a try.

This is Tina’s photo of them. The Arty Farty in me has fallen in love. What can I say colour, colour, colour. I will have to spend some time reading her blog, as tonight I popped in and had a look at just the pancakes. They say cooking is a lot about colour. Well these little babies top the list. Thank you Tina for the fab idea

And now I have found something else with lots of colour Rainbow cake This is by Lorie Cooks - or tries to... Go and have a look