424534 Wed Jul 25 06:36:48 -0700 2007 51 31 Home Cooking 0 2781038 I love oatmeal and I eat it almost every morning, but I usually just add some local maple syrup. I'd love to hear about some of your weird but terrific oatmeal concoctions so that I can mix it up a bit! Wed Jul 25 06:36:48 -0700 2007 36361 thunderbug84 1 2781049 In the fall I add a tablespoon of canned pumpkin, a tablespoon of pecans, a sprinkle of clove, cinnamon, and ginger--and a little honey or stevia for some sweetness. I sometimes add honey and pb or hiney and sunflower seed butter from TJs--yum. I also love cooking it for a minute and then stirring in an egg and cooking it for another 30 seconds. This makes the oatmeal so creamy---I LOVE it. I got that recommendation of chowhound last fall. I then add cinnamon or whatever else. I also like coconut oil in my oatmeal. Sometimes I throw in ground flax seeds if I have them. Wed Jul 25 06:40:45 -0700 2007 2781038 11227 nissenpa 2 2781178 A tablespoon of canned pumpkin and cinnamon ... that sounds fantastic. Wed Jul 25 07:19:24 -0700 2007 2781049 113878 ajgnet 3 2782549 It is so wonderful in the fall months. Try it! Wed Jul 25 12:28:20 -0700 2007 2781178 11227 nissenpa 1 2781096 mmm...I eat it everyday too. Fave additions (AFTER cooked) are a bit of peanut butter, walnuts, dried cranberries and flax meal. I often add chocolate whey protein powder too, esp. if i'm working out that day. However the oatmeal needs to be warm, not hot, b/f making that addition in order to mix well. Wed Jul 25 06:57:08 -0700 2007 2781038 17384 chicapea 1 2781102 Trader Joe's salty sweet and nutty granola as a topping, and REAL CREAM (just a wee bit) Wed Jul 25 07:00:07 -0700 2007 2781038 109573 coney with everything 2 2781154 I love it with butter, sea salt and pepper. Not sweet and wonderful that way. Wed Jul 25 07:14:36 -0700 2007 2781102 11497 Claire 1 2781146 a little nutella and sliced bananas! mmmm.... Wed Jul 25 07:12:23 -0700 2007 2781038 112103 reubensandperrier 1 2781158 My oatmeal is made with chicken broth each morning. Nothing else added. Wed Jul 25 07:15:31 -0700 2007 2781038 75332 Gio 1 2781171 I've been adding an egg - just stir it in. Someone posted the idea here a while ago in one of the many steel cut oatmeal threads. Like the other suggestions above, I all flax, dried (and sometimes fresh) fruits, nuts, spices, a dash of cream or rice milk. Once, in a mood, I added homemade honey ice cream ... now that was decadent, but I think it went beyond breakfast? As for fruits, huckleberry is my favorite. Wed Jul 25 07:18:07 -0700 2007 2781038 63906 odkaty 2 2783777 OK - now I have to try the egg addition tomorrow morning. It's got me intrigued. Thanks! Wed Jul 25 17:55:51 -0700 2007 2781171 75332 Gio 3 2784710 Let us know what you think. I tried the grated zucchini recommendation this morning and LOVED it. It's my new summer oatmeal. Thu Jul 26 06:02:13 -0700 2007 2783777 11227 nissenpa 1 2781174 If I'm craving savory, salt, butter, and sometimes pepper does the trick. For sweet, I'll add strawberry or blackberry jam with toasted almonds. But recently, I've found myself adding raisins and sliced banana nearly every day. Wed Jul 25 07:18:47 -0700 2007 2781038 113878 ajgnet 1 2781193 I like my oatmeal to be really cooked...and solid!!! I just like the texture. So I'll cook it for a while and add dried apples - they absorbe a bit of the water, and they're really tart. Wed Jul 25 07:24:18 -0700 2007 2781038 70075 tochipotle 1 2781241 for a sweet version, always golden raisins and dried cherries with a tiny dash of cinnamon. savory I only add sea salt, and made always with water only for both, no milk. Going to try the egg stirred in for the savory, that actually sounds really good! Wed Jul 25 07:34:11 -0700 2007 2781038 50431 chef chicklet 1 2781258 Blueberries, brown sugar and a bit of chopped almonds. mmmm Wed Jul 25 07:37:14 -0700 2007 2781038 90565 Cookiefiend 1 2781293 not as exciting as some of the others, but i add frozen strawberries or blueberries, cinnamon and some wheat germ for some extra nutrition... Wed Jul 25 07:45:47 -0700 2007 2781038 111995 rfried 1 2781335 Inspired by a recent thread, I've recently started having a simple savory oatmeal--scallions (go in the water with the oatmeal) and lots of parmesan cheese. When I'm cooking steel cuts, chopped apples that go in with the oatmeals, toasted walnuts when served. Here are some other recent oatmeal threads: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/322089 http://www.chowhound.com/topics/332675 http://www.chowhound.com/topics/340248 And the thread on adding kabocha that really helped me branch out on my oatmeal and corn mush: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/338710 Wed Jul 25 07:57:02 -0700 2007 2781038 49541 debbiel 1 2781354 Dundee Ginger Marmalade--makes a great, not very sweet, wake-up-NOW! addition.... Wed Jul 25 08:01:24 -0700 2007 2781038 11069 fauchon 1 2781355 Trader Joe's carries orange-flavor dried cranberries, which are fantastic in oatmeal. Wed Jul 25 08:01:38 -0700 2007 2781038 13574 pamalamb 1 2781365 Raisins, walnuts and banana chunks Wed Jul 25 08:04:04 -0700 2007 2781038 105292 HungryLetsEat 1 2781382 Peanut butter and whey protein, either chocolate or banana flavored. Wed Jul 25 08:07:10 -0700 2007 2781038 19113 Pylon 1 2781404 My friend makes a hearty and savory oatmeal cooking his pinhead oats to a creamy consistency in chicken broth and bacon fat. He then adds chopped bacon, parmesan and/or gruyere and seasoned salt. It is certainly a very satisfying way to begin your morning. Wed Jul 25 08:12:45 -0700 2007 2781038 68363 JungMann 2 2782557 I have GOT to try this. Bacon and oatmeal have to be two of my favs---why have I not thought of this? Wed Jul 25 12:29:45 -0700 2007 2781404 11227 nissenpa 3 2783792 I've actually had chopped turkey bacon and oatmeal in the past. Really very tasty. But cheese? I have to try it before I'm convinced it's a good morning starter. Wed Jul 25 17:58:33 -0700 2007 2782557 75332 Gio 4 2785494 Think of how great cheese grits are in the morning. Even if it's just parmesan and not some great melting cheese, the oatmeal really benefits from the slight creaminess behind the toothy oats. Thu Jul 26 09:31:09 -0700 2007 2783792 68363 JungMann 1 2781438 Wow I want oatmeal now. My old standbye is to cut up a green apple and add it to the water while I am waiting for it to boil. Then I throw in the oatmeal, maybe some raisins, and let it cook. Right before I take it out of the pan, I add peanut butter. It is so good. On the weekends for a treat, sometimes I throw in chocolate chips and peanut butter, maybe with a little banana. Also very good. Wed Jul 25 08:20:09 -0700 2007 2781038 94635 adventuresinbaking 1 2781822 Sweet butter and maple syrup. Black currant jam. Butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Wed Jul 25 09:37:46 -0700 2007 2781038 42449 mrbozo 1 2781869 Definitely craving oatmeal now. My standby is pretty simple: chopped dates added while the oatmeal's still cooking so they get all gushy. No need for any additional sugar. It's not very summery, but very comforting on cold mornings. Wed Jul 25 09:46:18 -0700 2007 2781038 93261 matermagna 1 2782610 I cook it with raw grated zuchinni. Delicious. Wed Jul 25 12:43:49 -0700 2007 2781038 74506 abud 2 2783428 I'm going to try that tomorrow--I bet it is great. Wed Jul 25 16:18:21 -0700 2007 2782610 11227 nissenpa 3 2783448 raisins and flax seeds most mornings... dried cranberries are great as well. and dried apricots cut into raisin sized pieces. If I'm adding after I've cooked it, sliced bananas, or strawberries or blueberries...and I alway add some salt while cooking Wed Jul 25 16:25:50 -0700 2007 2783428 99134 Texchef 1 2783470 An old folk remedy for rheumatoid arthritis, which I have been dealing with for a few years, calls for nine golden raisins soaked in gin. (Do a search and you will see the testamonials.) I add them to my organic oatmeal, along with fresh fruit, knowing the amount of gin is really pedestrian, and they sure are good. Wed Jul 25 16:29:38 -0700 2007 2781038 103601 mvi 1 2783767 Calories aside, butter and brown sugar. Or sugar and cinnamon. Carmelized chopped persimmons. Sweet potato or butternut squash puree and cinnamon (or sage for savory)... can also add chopped pecans or walnuts. Butter, maple syrup, and brown sugar when I'm being really bad. Oats + egg whites + cinnamon + vanilla + sweetener = pancakes 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. Wed Jul 25 17:53:05 -0700 2007 2781038 15572 Emme 2 2784736 I like to add brown sugar or maple syrup and walnuts and cinnamon. Sometimes fried cherries are tasty too. Thu Jul 26 06:08:27 -0700 2007 2783767 67742 HungryRubia 1 2788773 Vanilla poached pears Dried cherries, slivered almonds and orange zest Sweet potato (diced and roasted), cinnamon and butter Fri Jul 27 08:25:12 -0700 2007 2781038 25076 JFla 1 2788798 Mango and/or honey mustard Fri Jul 27 08:32:05 -0700 2007 2781038 101707 yankeefan 1 2788803 start with Silver Palate Oatmeal and then add one of the low sugar Bare Naked Granolas and a little splenda to sweeten. Fri Jul 27 08:33:13 -0700 2007 2781038 11290 jfood 1 2788880 coconut milk. Fri Jul 27 08:56:58 -0700 2007 2781038 114289 yogurtsoda 2 2788920 A slight variation: toasted coconut flakes and toasted pumpkin seeds; and maple syrup.... Fri Jul 27 09:06:09 -0700 2007 2788880 95793 jeni1002 1 2789057 kimchi and seasoned seaweed. (i've never understood the sweet oatmeal for breakfast thing...) Fri Jul 27 09:37:28 -0700 2007 2781038 49653 another_adam 2 2789230 okay, i am *definitely* trying that. Fri Jul 27 10:24:21 -0700 2007 2789057 114289 yogurtsoda 1 2790332 I am not sure if this counts as more of an oatmeal or an apple dish, but last night when I wanted something sweet it fit the bit. In a bowl I combined about 1/4c. oatmeal, quite a bit of cinnamon, approx 1/2tbsp.butter(actually, I Can't Beleive It's Not Butter, but I always hesitate to admit such theings on these boards, haha), and 1 apple cut up into bite size pieces skin and all. I mixed it all together and realized there was nothing to sweeten it except for the apple and also it was a bit dry. For some reason it occurred to me to squeeze the juice of a clementine over the top of it all to moisten and sweeten. I then transferred it all to a foil bowl and baked at 350 for about 30 minutes. It was sooo good! Completely unlike any sort of apple crumble because the oatmeal didn't crisp as it was mixed all throughout, not just on top. The citrus was such a wonderful complement to all of the flavors, and healthwise, it is actually quite wholesome. This is definitely something I will be making again for breakfast with perhaps double the oatmeal and the juice of two clementines. It basically ends up being the most delicious apple cinnamon oatmeal ever with a little citus kick. Fri Jul 27 15:38:14 -0700 2007 2781038 82243 ArikaDawn 1 2790488 Cooking it with milk, not water, is essential to me, then my favorite toppings are brown sugar, cinnamon, walnuts and cranberries. You can also add a dash of evaporated or condensed milk to make it a little sinful. ;-). Not as healthy as oatmeal, but a Puerto Rican tradition that is delicious is boiling ginger and a stick of cinnamon in some water, then mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with one cold cup of milk and heating this up while slowly adding some of the tea/flavored water. This becomes the most delicious thickened milk/hot cereal ever ;-). This with some Puerto Rican bread with butter and a cafe con leche...ahhh heaven. Fri Jul 27 16:26:39 -0700 2007 2781038 79316 yomyb 1 2790871 I love oatmeal with the texture of spackle. I use half the water recommended and use the long cooking oats. Then I add dried blueberries and either walnuts or almonds. Fri Jul 27 19:24:09 -0700 2007 2781038 57303 lvhkitty 2 2791372 I thought I was the only one!!!! Sat Jul 28 06:27:02 -0700 2007 2790871 11227 nissenpa 1 2790996 Its way too hot to eat hot oatmeal in PHX in the summer, so I make Museli... the only hard part is remembering to throw it together the night before: 1 ½ cups old fashioned oats ¼ cup raisins or dry cranberries or other dried fruit of choice ¼ cup walnuts (chopped) or almond slivers 2 cups unsweetened soy milk (or any milk of choice, including part yogurt or juice) 1 tablespoon Apricot or Peach jam 1 teaspoon honey (or to taste) 1 small apple (grated) or other fresh fruit Mix everything except for fresh fruit together, cover and refrigerate overnight. If it seems a bit thick in the morning, add some more milk or some plain yogurt. Stir in grated apple just before serving, or serve with other fresh fruit (berries, banana’s, apricots…) Fri Jul 27 20:58:50 -0700 2007 2781038 106056 firecooked 1 2791435 For years I've been using a recipe of Michael Romano from Union Square Cafe. He says he makes a batch every day and it is all he eats between tasting things. Steel cut oats cooked in apple cider with some brown sugar. I add walnuts, apricots, raisins, an apple cut up. We eat it all fall and through the winter. It's very satisfying. Sat Jul 28 07:19:04 -0700 2007 2781038 12041 Doreen 2 2791521 Funny you should say that. I bought a "chef for a day" package at a charity event a few years ago. When I went to do my day of work (which was great fun and quite enlightening) I was noticed that the head chef ate a HUGE bowl of oatmeal right before service (while the staff meal was being served). Must be a chef thing? Sat Jul 28 08:17:27 -0700 2007 2791435 105292 HungryLetsEat 2 2792495 Yum, Steel Cut Oats are a great treat (and very different) from regular rolled oats, any way you prepare them. Sat Jul 28 17:30:33 -0700 2007 2791435 106056 firecooked 1 2791549 In the summer, I parboil and then steam it for fluffy individual flakes that don't hold a lot of heat. Parboil 2 minutes, steam for 5-10 depending on how thickly it's rolled. Interesting variation if you eat a lot of oatmeal, no matter the temperature outside. I prefer steel cut oats in colder weather. Sat Jul 28 08:34:38 -0700 2007 2781038 24126 amyzan 1 2794216 You can treat it like polenta. (Although I have never used tomato sauce. Doesn't sound good...) Since steel cut oats take so long to cook (try it in a slow cooker ala Alton Brown) make extra and refrigerate part of it. Cut and fry in really good butter and add S & P. (I suppose you could do a sweet version.) Sun Jul 29 15:02:40 -0700 2007 2781038 95291 Richard 16