How To Make Oatmeal

Ask me about making oatmeal and I'll tell you I'm an expert. This came about when we decided to ditch the scary Hormel breakfast habit learned by my husband, now semi-inherited by my daughters, during his Peter Pan boyhood when all he and his brothers wanted to eat in the morning was Spam, bacon or hotdog, which my unfit mother-in-law allowed, through their nanny, while she was busy at work. Tch.

My husband was stubborn to stick with the pork products at first, so I came up with an oatmeal recipe that even my daughters would eat. Good thing they all realized that oatmeal, when done properly, doesn't have to be the bland, boring slop they think it is, but really this tasty breakfast option that they can truly enjoy. Finally the oatmeal repertoire in this household has now deviated from just the cookie kind. So here, my recipe:

Oatmeal With Love

~~ Throw in 3 overflowing handfuls (yes, use your hand) of rolled oats into Pyrex measuring cup filled with 2 cups of warm water, recently popped into microwave on Hi for 2 minutes, to soak your oatmeal. A shake of iodized salt at this point will do wonders for the porridge later, you'll find.

~~ Let stand for the time needed to download email (5 minutes), or to read and comment on favorite blogs (10-20 minutes), really just enough time for the grainy wonders to swell into soft, lovely puffs. The best thing to do here, of course is if you would remember to soak the oats from even the night before, and then you'll get the best out of your oats.

~~ Transfer to designated oatmeal pot when it's time, and add more liquid as needed. While humming your favorite tune, bring to a boil, lower the heat, then keep simmering by medium low fire.

Note: added liquid can be some water and evaporated milk, some water and condensed milk (immensely appealing to youngest child and husband for its milky sweetness), or a little bit more water, with 2 tablespoons of Coffee Mate non-dairy creamer, which, for me is the best.

~~ Stir lovingly with wooden spoon (for that countrified feel). And now, the secret ingredient: some pandan flavoring for that grassy fresh flavor and aroma, and a nick of butter (never again will you think 'oatmeal=bland' after this) dug with a teaspoon from tub. Stir languidly, take sips of coffee in between, and think nice thoughts till oatmeal is done to your desired creaminess.

~~ Pour into three equal parts, straight from the pot, into ceramic apple bowls. Reserve one bigger portion and pour into ceramic carrot bowl.

~~ Serve with assortment of sweeteners: Splenda, muscovado, chocolate or maple syrup, honey, etc., to offer impatient husband and daughters. Have a shaker of ground cinnamon on stand by. Grab a wedge of pineapple for self. Wait for them to smile and find how quickly they lose the hankering for pork products. Be prepared for second-serving requests. See to appreciate such hearty morning blessing. Then help yourself to more pineapple wedges.

Filed Under: Flavors

Tags: oatmeal