Homemade Masala Oats Mix

I always prefer savoury / spicy foods to sweet ones. Especially for breakfast, more than pancakes, waffles, donuts I'd much rather have some idlis / dosais. Most oats recipes have sweet additions to them like cinnamon and raisins or peanut butter and honey and while they can be good, the taste of masala oats easily won me over. Especially on cold, winter days having a nice warm bowl of spicy oats is very satisfying.

Most mixes available in the store have quite a few unwanted additives so I tried to re-create it at home and we have been happily satisfied. I usually make a big enough batch that lasts us for about 1-2 weeks and add a fair bit of dehydrated vegetables to punch up the nutrition.  You can chop up vegetables you like or I take the easy way out by using frozen mixed vegetables from the packet, rinse and use that instead.

Adding 3-4 tsbp of the masala oats to mix to  1/2 to 3/4 cup of water and cooking for a few minutes results in a quick, tasty and light meal.

HOMEMADE MASALA OATS MIX 

Ingredients:

Old Fashioned Oats - 2.5 cups 
Dehydrated Vegetables - 1.25 cups (approx 2.5 to 3 cups fresh)
[I use a mix of peas,  green beans, carrots, corn, bell peppers - see below for method]
Onion Powder - 2 tbsp
Garlic powder - 1 to 2 tbsp (adjust to taste) 
Tomato Powder - 2 to 3 tbsp 
Sugar -  1 to 2 tsp 
Black pepper powder - 1 tsp 
Chilli powder - 1 to 2 tsp (adjust based on personal preference and spiciness of powder used) 
Paprika (optional) - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
Coriander powder - 2 tsp
Cumin powder - 2 tsp  
Dried Basil - 1 tsp 
Dried Oregano - 1 tsp 
Salt - 3 to 4 tsp (adjust to taste) 

Method: 

How to dehydrate vegetables: Don't pick very watery vegetables since they will take very long. For the veggies I have given above, the process I use is to microwave them for 7 to 10 mins - check in on them and give a stir every 3 to 5 mins after the initial cooking to make sure they are not burning.  They will shrink down considerably. With frozen vegetables it can take upto 15 mins from frozen to dehydrated. 
Here's a picture of the vegetables are after this process. Ensure they are dry and there is no moistness so the mixture won't spoil. 

Dehydrated Vegetables

For the Masala Oats:
1) Gather and measure the ingredients required.  
2) In a big bowl - combine the Oats with all of the ingredients and mix well together with a clean, dry spoon. 

I usually keep this in a large glass bowl covered tightly with a lid and refrigerate it. It can stay for a month or more. 

Take desired quantity with a clean, dry spoon, add water and cook (stovetop or microwave works). If microwaving, soak in water for a while and then cook. 
Garnish with coriander leaves and enjoy.