322089 Wed Aug 30 22:38:50 -0700 2006 101 31 Home Cooking 0 1844305 k.....I like my oatmeal one of two ways: 1. honey and flax seed 2. brown sugar and margarine/butter I am not drinking milk these days and can use some suggestions on how to spice it up.....I am interested to hear how other chowhounds enjoy their big bowl of oats :) Wed Aug 30 22:38:50 -0700 2006 29331 pancake 1 1844334 We are big oatmeal consumers in my home. Our current favorite is with brown sugar, cinnamon and small diced apples cooked with the oatmeal, not added after. The apples soften and add lovely flavor. We also cook the oatmeal with dried fruits (cranberries, apricots, mango...) and sweeten it with honey or agave nectar. Neither are too inventive, but me and my kids love it. Also, if you are not drinking cows milk, try adding almond or rice milk. There is a sweet flavor of rice milk called Horchata that works well with oatmeal. Enjoy! Wed Aug 30 22:54:19 -0700 2006 1844305 10670 chocolate chick 1 1844531 A spoonful of honey and tons of cinnamon for me. I think my husband likes brown sugar and cinnamon on his. Thu Aug 31 00:03:55 -0700 2006 1844305 12213 jillp 1 1844532 We are big on oats during the cold months too. We make oat groats, rather than oatmeal. We cook it in the slow cooker overnight so it's ready in the morning. I like mine with maple syrup, milk and dried fruit - cranberries, prunes, apricots. I also soak the larger dried fruit overnight so it's not too chewy. DH has his with fruit only. Thu Aug 31 00:03:56 -0700 2006 1844305 12335 cheryl_h 1 1844692 On the sweet side, these are my fave combos: -canned pumpkin, cinnamon and a little maple syrup or molasses -soymilk, cocoa powder, and dried cherries -coconut milk and banana -soymilk, peanut butter and a bit of honey -whatever liquid, with a spoonful of lemon curd On the savoury side, I like: -quark cheese and fresh herbs -sesame oil and fresh ginger -roasted garlic -dried mushrooms (not too many, they taste strong) -pesto Thu Aug 31 01:23:42 -0700 2006 1844305 10681 piccola 2 1847259 I'm so glad you mentioned coconut milk, I had intended to add another reply to suggest it, since the OP cannot eat milk. Fri Sep 01 00:01:07 -0700 2006 1844692 12213 jillp 2 2111152 Im so glad you mentioned pumpkin. My nutritionist thinks Im crazy , but its a GREAT way to get in some extra fibre Mon Dec 18 23:34:43 -0800 2006 1844692 26815 hungryabbey 1 1844706 i love brown sugar (but never use it, i use splenda *sigh) and lots of fresh berries. and a few tablespoons of ground flax seeds. dried sour cherries are good too... cinnamon basically boring ideas are what i like :) interesting savoury ideas. gotta try the quark and herb. mmm. Thu Aug 31 01:27:05 -0700 2006 1844305 17067 junglekitte 2 2108560 have you tried the splenda brown sugar mix? Mon Dec 18 03:55:55 -0800 2006 1844706 58027 Aloo0628 1 1844751 I add raisins and milk to mine. Thu Aug 31 01:46:55 -0700 2006 1844305 11245 marycarol 1 1844757 I have a bowl every morning during the week with usually fruit, like blueberries, cranberries or bananas, sometimes brown sugar and butter. Thu Aug 31 01:52:44 -0700 2006 1844305 11222 Infomaniac 1 1844774 Nuked with blueberries, sweet&low, vanilla and cinnamon. Thu Aug 31 02:00:12 -0700 2006 1844305 23897 crimsonca 1 1844783 Splenda and a sigh here, too. Big pat of butter and the cold milk on top (not mixed in), so that you get little butter globules floating on the milk. (For the longest time I thought that was what buttermilk must be like.) I seldom have the time, but it's amazing what a difference cooking on the stovetop makes compared with nuking. I've tried the slow cooker, but that goes too far in the other direction -- creamy becomes sticky and gloppy. Thu Aug 31 02:04:28 -0700 2006 1844305 17813 Bill on Capitol Hill 2 1846977 Yes, it is most important to add little pats of cold butter once it is not too hot, so that the butter softens but still appears in warm clumps throughout. Thu Aug 31 21:49:47 -0700 2006 1844783 19323 cherrytreegirl 1 1844855 Personally, when not watching calories, butter and brown sugar. Or sugar and cinnamon. Also good is oatmeal parfait... layer oatmeal, vanilla yogurt, and berries... for healthy fats, add sliced almonds. My ex loved bing cherries, brown sugar, cinammon, hazelnuts, and hazelnut oil. Crystallized ginger and pistachios with a swirl of molasses. Thu Aug 31 02:51:07 -0700 2006 1844305 15572 Emme 1 1844869 Oatmeal is a secret sin around here. I usually have it when I find we have a ripe banana and a bit o' cream left from some baking and some brown sugar- ahhhh. My mother has a story about her buddy who was considered the coolest grandmother b/c she would serve the gkids oatmeal with a small scoop of ice cream. Sounds pretty special. Thu Aug 31 02:58:20 -0700 2006 1844305 10462 stlSarah 1 1844882 Bierkermuesli is my fave. I despise boxed cereals and "healthy" granola packages. I make a fresh batch every week, just search the internet for the basics. I soak oatmeal in hot water, then combine with dried/fresh fruit --blueberries, prunes, figs, etc. I then squeeze fresh lemon juice on whatever fresh grated apple just before serving, adding nuts and seeds in the mix. Fresh whole yogurt is the topper, adding honey if the mix is too sour. Thu Aug 31 03:03:15 -0700 2006 1844305 13369 Gypsy Jan 2 1855014 Actually Burchermuesli is made by 'soaking' the oats in yogurt/milk overnight, then adding fruit/nuts seeds. This is one of my favorite ways to eat oatmeal. The oatmeal absorbs all the liquid in the yogurt (the richer the yogurt the better - you can use fat free) and it's wonderful. You could use juice, soy milk or soy yogurt with good results. A mix of milk/oj gives it a bit of a 'creamsicle' taste. Tue Sep 05 17:15:54 -0700 2006 1844882 11053 thenurse 1 1844912 I'm a big fan of toasting oatmeal, so here's my contribution. this one's been a staple in our house, especially with a young one. You can make it early in the week and reheat it with milk, too. vanillagrrl's party oatmeal In a generous saucepan, toast over medium heat: 1 cup of scottish steel cut oats in 1 Tablespoon of butter (according to cook's mag, until it "smells like butterscotch"). Stir almost continuously until the grains begin browning (about 3-5 minutes). Stir in: 3 cups water (or a little less for thicker oatmeal) 1 cup milk (low or wholefat) 2 handfuls (or 1/3 cup) dried sweetened cranberries 1 small handful (or 2 Tbsp.) packed brown sugar (optional -- the cranberries will sweeten it, too) cinnamon to taste Whisk or stir for the preferred result (longer for smoother porridge, less for lumps if you prefer that sort of thing) as you bring the mixture back to a boil. Cook for 15 minutes over low heat, covered, stirring once or twice to make sure the pan doesn't scorch. Add salt to taste. Cook for 5 minutes more. Serve with toasted hazelnuts. Serves 6. Thu Aug 31 03:26:34 -0700 2006 1844305 12341 vanillagrrl 2 1846899 I absolutely love Scottish steel cut oats! They have spoiled me forever and I can no longer eat regular rolled oats. Will have to try your version. Thanx for sharing! Thu Aug 31 21:21:35 -0700 2006 1844912 13257 pilotgirl210 3 1847367 Agree, love the steel cut oats! they are great with dried currants or cranberries & warm cooked pear or apple slices. Fri Sep 01 00:47:15 -0700 2006 1846899 11128 pamd 1 1844969 Wow...all these ideas sound yummy.I will give them all a go....I will definatley try savoury oatmeal as well....never thought of that before.....interesting Thu Aug 31 04:05:18 -0700 2006 1844305 29331 pancake 1 1845903 I add cocoa and sugar and cream.... it's really more like dessert in the morning! If no cocoa, then sugar and cream. Both versions MUST be sweet and thinned with the cream for me to enjoy. Thu Aug 31 16:35:53 -0700 2006 1844305 13103 Foodrat 1 1846249 - Instant oats - water - crasins (dried cranberries) - splash of real maple syrup 1. Stir (should be pretty runny) 2. Nuke for about 1 minute 3. Stir in some milk or cream (flavored creamers ok, too) I've also substituted the crasins with fav fruit jam, but with step 3. Great with a side of bread & butter pickles with eat bite...for real. Trust me. Thu Aug 31 18:26:01 -0700 2006 1844305 27852 Lindalicious 1 1846841 Okay, I feel so much better that there are others out there that consider oats a cuisine in themselves. My secret for most sweet oats is a grating of fresh nutmeg. I noticed salt was missing from a lot of recipes... just a little bit... and vanilla, what doesn't like a little vanilla? Cocoa and some well stirred instant oats gets darn close to chocolate pudding, no kidding. And as others have noted, Splenda actually works quite well with foods like oats. Don't think of it as a way to cut calories though, think of it as a way to add more butter. My final suggestion is scotch oats (about a 4-1 water to oats ratio) in the slow cooker overnight. I make up enough oats for a week this way. Thu Aug 31 21:02:25 -0700 2006 1844305 30158 amkirkland 2 1846873 salt is a must-use in oatmeal. I like the caribbean gruel recipes (sort of like congee) that involve a LOt of water, long cooking and cinnamon stick, allspice berries and whole cloves. I prefer to make this with a mix of water and milk but all water works. Thu Aug 31 21:12:04 -0700 2006 1846841 11130 jen kalb 3 1978315 Salt is a must-use, but if added at the beginning of cooking, it tends to keep the starches from fully gelatinizing (i.e. less creamy final product). Adding about 2/3 of the way through cooking works best, at least for me. Fri Oct 27 22:07:38 -0700 2006 1846873 21339 GVDub 1 1847097 I like TJ's cooked, lightly sweetened, cryo-vaced and frozen oatmeal. You just nuke it and add milk, or whatever. It's very good, and couldn't be easier. Thu Aug 31 22:47:35 -0700 2006 1844305 11995 pikawicca 1 1847161 I think one simply must add butter...to lower the glycemic index and keep it healthy, of course! I also like a little brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and sliced toasted almonds if I have them. Thu Aug 31 23:13:33 -0700 2006 1844305 13564 Snackish 1 1847174 I love crunchy, natural peatnut butter in my oatmeal! It sort of ends up tasting like a muffin. Yum! Thu Aug 31 23:19:35 -0700 2006 1844305 24576 MRS 2 1963152 Please tell me exactly what you do to combine the oatmeal with the peanut butter. They are two of my favorite things. Sat Oct 21 22:20:19 -0700 2006 1847174 48308 HPalinsky 1 1847358 In San Diego, a place called Spread serves a Banana Curry oatmeal topped with carmelized onions-- it was both savory and swwet and I have been trying to replicate it for months Fri Sep 01 00:42:34 -0700 2006 1844305 23742 wisconsingal 1 1847768 You have mucho info here but, mine style is a little different....I add quinoa to my steel cut oats then when done, a little butter, non fat 1/2 1/2 (from T.J's.) chopped walnuts, raisins and MAPLE SYRUP. YUM! :) KQ Fri Sep 01 04:53:41 -0700 2006 1844305 11934 Kitchen Queen 1 1847847 I always cook the oatmeal with salt. My favorite toppings are quite traditional: - brown sugar, banana, walnuts, and soymilk - brown sugar, cinnamon, butter I have a can of pumpkin...I am tring that version this weekend. Such great, yummy ideas here! Fri Sep 01 06:05:31 -0700 2006 1844305 12513 Divamac 1 1847973 The winning formula in my household: a pinch of salt, raisins, walnuts, and maple syrup. Fri Sep 01 11:26:36 -0700 2006 1844305 26466 silverbear 2 1963612 This is my way, too. -pinch of salt -raisins or dried cranberries -maple syrup or brown sugar -walnuts -sunflower seeds!!! Sun Oct 22 04:12:11 -0700 2006 1847973 12943 Sarah McC 1 1848180 Great ideas here. Gotta try the toasted method and the cocoa. I've been on an oatmeal kick for the last few months in an attempt to make myself eat breakfast every day (7 months pregnant, so trying to change bad habits, like skipping breakfast). Been making a double batch of steel cut oats on Sundays and nuking thruout the week. One tip for making a big batch (2 C. oats, 6 C. water, pinch of salt): Insulate the cooking pot by placing it on a cast iron skillet. Allows for low and slow cooking, half the stirring and less sticking. Works for me. Toppings lately, to stave off boredom: ground mixed nuts (hazel, soy, almonds and pistashio), a little oat or wheat bran, with dried cherries, dried blueberries and honey. Nice texture contrasts. Fri Sep 01 14:02:37 -0700 2006 1844305 21118 Sassafras 1 1848301 Oatmeal pancakes ... mmm! http://www.bbonline.com/recipe/carriagecorner_pa_recipe1.html and a pic: http://areyouhungryyet.blogspot.com/2006/02/oatmeal-buttermilk-pancakes-for.html Fri Sep 01 14:59:19 -0700 2006 1844305 10666 Chocolatechipkt 1 1848323 My mother always cooked our oatmeal in skim milk and to this day I can't eat oatmeal in other homes or restaurants. Lactose intolerant daughter forced me to reconsider, I use soy milk, occasionally organic milk (doesnt seem to bother her as much). Love to flavor up with some of the following - cinnamon, vanilla, brown sugar, honey, raisins, dried fruit (cranberries, cherries, apricots). Try to eat oatmeal once a week and only use long cooking variety (usually Sat or Sun) for all the whole grain benefits. Fri Sep 01 15:10:20 -0700 2006 1844305 15139 Diane in Bexley 1 1848581 A rather hefty pinch of salt, currants and made with milk, and then served with more milk and maybe a little too much brown sugar. Sticks to your ribs; got me and my boyfriend through graduate school! Fri Sep 01 16:38:09 -0700 2006 1844305 22624 relizabeth 1 1854193 Nice to read all the posts stating butter as their topping of choice. I have always received raised eyebrows and looks of scorn for that preference in the past. Really good when apples and raisins added. Never one for milk on my oatmeal. Tue Sep 05 04:18:01 -0700 2006 1844305 34770 kitchensalli 1 1854381 In the trash! I mean, oatmeal . . .WTF? If I HAD to eat it, I'd whip up a batch of my home-made cereal bars with some walnuts, dried cranberries, maple syrup, honey and stem ginger. TT Tue Sep 05 10:18:41 -0700 2006 1844305 19247 TexasToast 2 1856123 Clearly oatmeal is a staple for many of us!! Its a natural, nutritious, simple food, that if made correctly, and with the right ingredients, can be very good. I always feel at my best after eating a hearty, nutritious bowl of oatmeal, so NO NEED TO INSULT...... Tue Sep 05 23:47:51 -0700 2006 1854381 29331 pancake 3 1858723 It wasn't an insult; it was more a compliment. I guess the irony is lost without the benefit of sound. I can't eat oatmeal plain, as it tastes like wallpaper glue. TT Wed Sep 06 23:54:32 -0700 2006 1856123 19247 TexasToast 4 1859045 yeah....the problem with text is I always misinterpret....and of course, you are entitled to your opinion....Well maybe some of the suggestions in this thread might help cover up the glue flavour you despise.... :) Thu Sep 07 02:23:52 -0700 2006 1858723 29331 pancake 2 1856712 I am so with you TT. I can't stand oatmeal. I want to like it. I try to like it. But nothing. Can't stand it. It smells good. I like it in stuff. I just can't do it. I'm envious of the oatmeal lovers! Wed Sep 06 05:34:52 -0700 2006 1854381 10556 geg5150 3 4589264 LOL. I can completely relate to both the “love it” and “hate it” camps. My mother was of the “I don’t care if you don’t like it, you’re going to sit there until it’s gone” school of dining. I remember sitting for hours with a bowl of oatmeal in front of me. Of course, the longer it sat, the more solid and disgusting it became. Finally I just forced the gluey globs down. But before I finished I felt that tell-tale urp, urp, and, yup, it all came back up, all over the kitchen table. In the end, it turns out that mom was right. It just took 30 years, and an introduction to Bierkermuesli through travel, instead of hours, for me to appreciate oatmeal. Now we make a big batch on Sunday evening with yogurt, honey, cinnamon, raisins, and chunks of tart crisp apple to eat throughout the week. Oh, and don’t forget to sprinkle the chopped pecans on top. Sun Apr 12 09:58:41 -0700 2009 1856712 32847 ajcraig 1 1854669 Oatmeal (IMHO) is best made with half milk and half water, the oats added to the liquid right away so they are more tender and creamy. I use whole rolled oats for the best texture. I love ground flaxseed in it for the nuttiness and nutrition, plus dried cranberries and blueberries. It has to have a pat of butter pushed down the center of the bowl (quirk from my childhood I guess) and of course, some brown sugar. There are some wonderful ideas here! Has anyone tried Baked Oatmeal?? It's wonderful on a chilly morning. Tue Sep 05 15:00:57 -0700 2006 1844305 14083 cooknKate 1 1854717 This thread inspired me to revive my fall staple this morning, now that the apples are getting real good again. I always make oatmeal without milk, but that's because I like it topped with really thick yogurt. I like to cook it with apple bits, dried cranberries and raisins, cinnamon, just enough water and a pinch of salt. Then I top it with walnut bits, yogurt, and I change around with my favorite sweeteners: honey, date molassas, maple syrup or brown sugar. Tue Sep 05 15:24:47 -0700 2006 1844305 12037 Ida Red 1 1855258 Am I the only one putting maple syrup and chocolate chips on steel cut oatmeal? Tue Sep 05 18:47:32 -0700 2006 1844305 10471 danna 2 1855925 you're definitely not alone on that. I love how the choc chips melt after a while. butterscotch chips are also really good with oatmeal. Tue Sep 05 22:15:20 -0700 2006 1855258 26657 bijoux16 1 1856154 I eat Oatmeal almost everyday... My favorite way is with Dried Fruit (Cherries are a fave) condensed milk (The new Nestle Squeeze bottle is my Food Product of the year!!) and lots of Penzey's vietnamese cinnamon! :) --Dommy! Wed Sep 06 00:03:31 -0700 2006 1844305 10659 Dommy 1 1856284 Cardamom, pistachios and raisins, for a rice pudding-y taste. (Plus a little salt, vanilla, and some sugar.) Wed Sep 06 00:56:43 -0700 2006 1844305 12233 Pia 2 4582318 this sounds wonderful! i love cardamom. Thu Apr 09 14:04:37 -0700 2009 1856284 279316 xavi1979 1 1856698 I like to sprinkle a little Wheat Germ on top. Wed Sep 06 05:24:02 -0700 2006 1844305 34704 Luwak 1 1858760 I add cottage cheese to mine - along with maple syrup and any dried fruit/trail mix I have in the house. Thu Sep 07 00:12:34 -0700 2006 1844305 33823 sbaker 1 1859208 I just made a bowl of oatmeal as a snack. I prefer oatmeal cooked in 2% milk in the microwave with some honey, vanilla and Penzey's baking spice. Occasionally I will add dried fruit, and a pat of butter if I'm not obsessively watching calories. What is the difference in taste with rolled oats, pin-head oats and steel cut oats? I have seen the "Good Eats" episode about oats, but I can only find o rolled oats in my local mega-mart. Thu Sep 07 03:45:44 -0700 2006 1844305 22220 Kelli2006 1 1859252 I like mine salty. I put miso and some veggies with chicken stock. Thu Sep 07 04:02:49 -0700 2006 1844305 20765 designerboy01 1 1859394 I add the oatmeal after the water has begun to boil, to result in a drier, chewy finished oatmeal. I eat it with granulated and it must be EVAPORATED milk. Thats it. Thu Sep 07 05:30:06 -0700 2006 1844305 25247 Veggietales 1 1860191 Soak oats overnight in a 50/50 mix of water and milk and a pinch of salt, cook up in the morning and then serve straight in the bowl with either ; A layer of sugar - allow this to semi melt and go crusty or A large spoonful of treacle ( Tate & Lyle Golden Syrup ) - allow a minute or two for this to thin out and then mix it through the bowl. Thu Sep 07 16:54:52 -0700 2006 1844305 14232 english_knave 1 1860377 I only eat oatmeal backpacking . . . so I like mine best served with a crisp morning in the mountains and preferably a babbling stream alongside. (Golden raisins, dried apples, and cinnamon & sugar are nice too.) But reading these posts has gotten me thinking, that maybe I should try making it at home with some of the variations suggested! Thu Sep 07 17:49:51 -0700 2006 1844305 20134 grubn 1 1903423 Rolled oats soaked in kefir milk overnight with a little maple syrup or fresh blueberries, black caps, or wild rasperries (when in season). Will have to try toasting and steel cut too, yum yum! Tue Sep 26 18:10:31 -0700 2006 1844305 43139 pumpkin 1 1963177 I'll have to try some of these suggestions. I virtuously made myself some the other morning, steel cut, no less. I expected wonderful things! Blech. It was pretty awful. I put honey and butter in it but it was still dreadful. Then, after I managed to eat it (nothing else to eat in the house), it sat in a ball in my stomach and had me worried about making it alive through the rest of the day. However, I still have a bunch left, and it is healthy, and it is on my strange eating plan, so I will try it again. I have hope that I will like it. Sat Oct 21 22:38:39 -0700 2006 1844305 19727 kayandallie 2 1978381 It sounds like you undercooked it or did not use enough water. Use at least 3 parts water to 1 part oatmeal, with more water to make up for what the dried fruit absorbs if you add that. It should be almost fluffy when you get it right. I cook steel cut oats overnight in the slow cooker on a light timer to switch it on around 3am. An effortless breakfast is ready by 7:00. The timing took a little trial and error - yours might go differently. No milk, yes big pinch of salt. I am going to see if it comes out differently adding salt at the end. Any dried fruit on hand goes in. Pat of butter with brown sugar or cinnamon and sugar or maple syrup. Fri Oct 27 22:39:22 -0700 2006 1963177 43399 atheorist 3 2108403 A chef friend told me this hint and we've been using it successfully for years. Right before you go to bed, bring to a boil one cup steel cut oats, four cups of water, and a dash of salt. Watch it closely so it doesn't boil over. Give it a stir, turn off the heat, and put a lid on it. Leave it on top of your stove all night. Voila, in the am, you have perfectly cooked oatmeal. You can re-heat and stir in the pan, or if you're in a big hurry, spoon out a serving and zap it in the microwave. Perfect every time. Mon Dec 18 02:27:38 -0800 2006 1978381 48292 powella 1 1963413 I've been adding flax seeds, a little sweetener (brown sugar, maple syrup or honey), roasted salted almonds, some dried fruit (lately it's been these terrific dried cape gooseberries which are pretty tart), and cinnamon. I think of it as super food and try to cram as many good for me things as possible. I try to make it myself, but if I'm going with instant, I like the Trader Joe's Complete (with Soy Protein and Flax) in Brown Sugar flavor (way less sweet than that Quaker sludge) or Arrowhead Mills with flax seeds (also lightly sweetened) Sun Oct 22 01:33:07 -0700 2006 1844305 10669 Amuse Bouches 1 1963450 I like steel cut oats with dark sweet cherries that you can buy frozen. No other sweetner needed. Sun Oct 22 02:11:37 -0700 2006 1844305 46897 gridder 1 1963615 i eat my oatmeal very simply....butter and a splash of either half and half or light cream. if i want some sweetener, then i might add a thinly sliced banana. Sun Oct 22 04:15:53 -0700 2006 1844305 10612 mshpook 1 1964376 cooked with a pinch of salt,served with a little milk,butter,brown sugar and sprinkling of dry All-Bran cereal Sun Oct 22 19:40:09 -0700 2006 1844305 24117 WINDELLA 1 1964457 I cook our oatmeal in half water, half skim milk -throw in raisons or dried cranberries-no salt. Serve with a little half and half or soy milk. If I'm wanting sweet, I cut up a banana. I hate the instant pre- sweeted flavored oatmeal- might as well eat fruit loops! Sun Oct 22 20:32:04 -0700 2006 1844305 15697 jackie de 1 1965052 In cookies, with butter scotch chips and pecans :) Mon Oct 23 03:07:43 -0700 2006 1844305 13328 Spencer 1 1974192 I discovered this week that if you add pumpkin, a couple tablespoons of light cream cheese, splenda, and appropriate spices you have yourself a fantastic excuse to eat pumpkin pie for breakfast. Thu Oct 26 15:42:00 -0700 2006 1844305 28226 BrunchOrBust 1 1974193 I discovered this week that if you add pumpkin, a couple tablespoons of light cream cheese, splenda, and appropriate spices you have yourself a fantastic excuse to eat pumpkin pie for breakfast. Thu Oct 26 15:42:10 -0700 2006 1844305 28226 BrunchOrBust 1 1974225 This is extremely decadent, and not something you can throw together first thing in the morning, but hear me out. Once, for a dinner party, I made a red wine syrup for some oranges - boiled down a whole bottle of red with cloves, cinnamon and sugar until it got a little gloopy. The next morning I put some leftover red wine syrup on my oatmeal with a sprinkling of raisins and a dollop of creme fraiche. WOW. Thu Oct 26 15:49:13 -0700 2006 1844305 40307 frenetica 1 1974243 I'm another in the savory camp: Steel-cut oats with grated parmesan. Thu Oct 26 15:53:36 -0700 2006 1844305 15879 Joan Kureczka 1 1978339 I make an all purpose cereal mix that can be done either muesli style (soaked overnight in a mixture of milk and yogurt) or cooked hot. 2 cans Trader Joe's MultiGrain cereal (mostly oats but other whole grains in there as well) 1 bag TJ's All Fruit Trail Mix 4-6 oz of other dried fruit (I mostly alternate between dried cherries and dried strawberries) Mix that all together and store it in the cupboard. For cold (Muesli): I make enough to last for most of a week. 3 cups mix 1 32 oz container of yogurt (usually a thick Armenian or Russian Style) 2 cups of milk Mix it together in a sealable container and let it sit in the fridge over night. It'll continue to thicken over the few days it will take to go through the container, ending up as almost a labne consistency. Hot single serving: 1/2 cup mix 1 cup water or half milk/half water combine in a small saucepan, bring to boil, reduce heat, cover, simmer 6 minutes. Serve topped with yogurt, milk, or cream and the sweetener of your choice if the fruit doesn't already make it sweet enough. Fri Oct 27 22:19:20 -0700 2006 1844305 21339 GVDub 1 2107853 I mushed a small slice of pumpkin pie into my bowl of oatmeal. Very nice taste/texture combo. Sun Dec 17 21:40:25 -0800 2006 1844305 10293 val ann c 1 2108110 raw honey, apples and raisins, maybe ginger or cayenne. or macrobiotic style: miso and kimchi. or, whatever leftovers, fruits, nuts, and seeds are around. oh, and once I had a lot of dumpster-doven smoked salmon, so i cooked it with my oats, mixed some miso in, and it was so good! Mon Dec 18 00:01:21 -0800 2006 1844305 44696 aroques 1 2108554 While the oats are cooking, I put a handful of raisins in the bowl I'm going to eat out of. Then when the oats are done I pour them over the raisins--this warms and steams them without cooking them excessively (to each their own, but I just don't much care for cooked raisins). I add about half a teaspoon of cinnamon and a teaspoon or so of honey, and stir in a little milk. I've been known to put in blackberries or blueberries, if I have them; but I prefer raisins. (And I don't like raisins in just about any other setting.) Mon Dec 18 03:54:05 -0800 2006 1844305 32586 revsharkie 1 2108611 I love steel cut Irish oats cooked overnight in my neuro fuzzy Zojirushi rice cooker. I add milk and dried cherries. A decadent addition is a square of dark chocolate with almonds - melts as you stir it in....Mmmmmm Mon Dec 18 04:18:23 -0800 2006 1844305 17956 jcanncuk 2 3981395 One of my crockpot books came with recipes for steel cut oats or groats over night in the crockpot. It's soooo great! One cup Steel Cut Oats 4 cups water Cook on low for 8 hours. Mix in fruit and nuts at the end. The other is: 1 cup groats pinch of salt one 4 inch cinnamon stick 4.25 cups water Cover and cook 9 hours. Discard cinnamon stick. Sat Aug 23 16:24:11 -0700 2008 2108611 91520 Bratdawg 1 2111033 with milk and sugar or with coconut milk and bananas and raisins- Mon Dec 18 22:59:32 -0800 2006 1844305 55914 marlie202 1 2275228 Do anyone know why my oatmeal turn sour? I follow the direction of the package.. water..salt & oatmeal..boil... and it turn out sour. I like to keep it simple no sweet added. pls help!! thanks Fri Feb 09 05:43:01 -0800 2007 1844305 73011 boboc 1 2275238 My complaint about oatmeal has always been that even though it's great breakfast food (complex carbs, fiber, lo fat), there's no protein. So I started adding a slightly beaten egg just before I take it off the heat to let it stand and thicken. I temper the egg with a little of the oats first, then mix it in. It blends right in and you wouldn't even know there's an egg in there, except it tastes a little heartier and richer. throw a few blueberries and walnuts in and it's the perfect breakfast! Fri Feb 09 05:53:00 -0800 2007 1844305 19819 kloomis 1 2275495 There was a whole thread fairly recently on adding eggs to oatmeal. I hadn't heard of it before. I'll have to try it. Fri Feb 09 07:40:26 -0800 2007 1844305 63260 eamcd 1 2275684 Sweet camp here. 1 Tbsp silvered almonds (great texture and crunch) 1 Tbsp craisins splash vanilla cinnamon nutmeg splenda Yum yum. This is breakfast nearly every day of the week. Fri Feb 09 08:31:54 -0800 2007 1844305 57912 venera 1 2275716 I'll have to try mixing egg into my oatmeal... I only like oatmeal made with milk (water creates an abominable GLUE!) I make mine like rice pudding - milk, brown sugar, raisins cooked into it, and cinnamon. Honey or maple syrup are good instead of sugar, but messier... Here's a bowl of oatmeal I made a few weeks ago, with craisins in it. Fri Feb 09 08:38:51 -0800 2007 1844305 67657 Kajikit 1 2275777 I make my rolled oats with a little salt, a little sugar, and a little peanut butter. Fri Feb 09 08:52:46 -0800 2007 1844305 10216 Lucia 1 2275797 I grew up eating (and loving) grits-- not the healthiest breakfast. So I eat my oatmeal "grits-style" with a little butter and some salt and pepper. Mmmmm. I eat it almost every morning in the winter. Fri Feb 09 08:57:15 -0800 2007 1844305 70866 Tartinet 1 2289116 I'm surprised no one mentioned the Cook's Illustrated Steamed Oatmeal, from a couple of years back. It produces tender, individual flakes that have texture and lots of surface area to collect butter, milk, what have you. But no creaminess. In that way they are more like the Scottish cut oats, except they are more tender. Maybe they'd appeal to those who object to the 'gluiness' of regular oatmeal. I doctor them with dried cherries (Montmorency from TJ) and butter. Blanch the rolled (not instant or even quick) oats in plenty of boiling, salted water for a couple of minutes. Drain the water, and put the oats in a steamer or sieve over boiling water, covered for about 15 minutes. Proportions and time are not critical. The only part of this I don't care for is that it's harder to clean than a single smooth pot. But it keeps well, and is easy to reheat in the nuker. Tue Feb 13 12:34:51 -0800 2007 1844305 43747 Leucadian 2 3982930 For several years now, I have been making an oatmeal mix and having a serving about five mornings each week - all but Friday and Sunday. I adapted (adjusted) a recipe I found in Taste of Home slightly and have been very happy with it. I mix 6 cups of regular oatmeal (originally I used quick oats), 1 cup of various diced dried fruits (varying the fruits keeps the oatmeal interesting), 1/4 cup each of brown sugar and white sugar, 1 tablespoon of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of salt. Each morning, I use 1/2 cup of the oatmeal mix and 3/4 cup of milk (I use skim usually). Microwave for 2-1/2 minutes on half power in a large enough bowl to prevent boilovers. Stir and microwave for another 2-1/2 minutes. When it has cooled some, I add a little more milk (just enough to thin it satisfactorily) - stir and enjoy. Sun Aug 24 13:12:22 -0700 2008 2289116 10288 Milt 1 3983507 On top of my oatmeal, I like to put fresh sliced strawberries, a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of brown sugar. Sun Aug 24 18:21:36 -0700 2008 1844305 213697 Mayflour 1 3983562 I love it with butter and brown sugar, or with orange marmalade. Or, if I'm really needing a mood booster (and this is usually dessert, not breakfast -- nutella!) Sun Aug 24 18:49:44 -0700 2008 1844305 120180 tzurriz 1 3983620 I nuke the oats with a little salt, pecans or walnuts, dried fruit,and filtered water. After it's cooked I add a couple of teaspoons of tahini, honey or maple syrup, and a little milk. Sun Aug 24 19:21:47 -0700 2008 1844305 197458 Cameraman 1 3983642 I cook them 2 parts liquid to 1 part oats. The liquid is 3/4 water 1/4 milk. Add a dash of salt. Stir, bring to a boil. Turn of the heat, cover with lid for about a minute. Stir into bowl, add sugar. Taste for needed salt. Add generous pat of butter. When butter is almost melted, add layer of milk. I add other items to oatmeal upon request but not to my own. Sun Aug 24 19:35:44 -0700 2008 1844305 196419 Kate is always hungry 1 3986583 i make mine with water, then add a big scoop of vanilla protein powder. yummy. sometimes i throw in a ripe banana. Mon Aug 25 18:16:44 -0700 2008 1844305 152338 fallingup 2 3986595 wow - this was one of my first threads posted here almost two years ago! Nice to see it still peaks some interest in the minds of other chows. I must say I took a few of these suggestions and tried egg, maple syrup and nuts in my oatmeal and am often changing it up now because of everyone's input. Thanks chows, I love this place! Mon Aug 25 18:20:08 -0700 2008 3986583 29331 pancake 3 3986710 I recently go a new rice cooker with a setting for porridge. My first attempt at rice cooker oatmeal was a smashing success. I added dried cranberries, used water for liquid, and it came out great. Very creamy. Mon Aug 25 19:09:35 -0700 2008 3986595 16407 Jane917 1 4582287 so many great ideas on here! i am also an oatmeal fanatic, especially of the steel-cut variety. one of my favorite things to do is dice up an entire apple and throw it into a deep bowl with 1/4C steel-cut oats, 3/4C water, and a hefty sprinkle of cinnamon. nuke it (i am too hungry when i wake up to do the stove-top method) for 3 1/2 minutes, stir, then nuke for another 2 minutes and let stand a minute before eating. the apple gets a wonderful texture. also delicious is a handful of frozen berries and a dollop of pomegranate molasses! Thu Apr 09 13:56:57 -0700 2009 1844305 279316 xavi1979 1 4588387 I love my oatmeal like a spackle consistency - I use half the water recommended! However, when making steel cut oatmeal I do use the normal proportions recommended. Love oatmeal with bananas and cut up Fuji apples. My favorite comfort food - day and night. Sat Apr 11 19:45:30 -0700 2009 1844305 57303 lvhkitty 1 4588482 Want to be able to find this! Sat Apr 11 20:48:39 -0700 2009 1844305 39504 Shrinkrap 1 4588659 I eat oatmeal most mornings. Trader Joe's has a quick cooking steel cut variety, so you get the texture of steel cut oats, but it only takes 7 or 8 minutes to cook. I add nutmeg, black pepper, and a half cup of cottage cheese. Sun Apr 12 00:03:06 -0700 2009 1844305 57371 operagirl