How To Cook Simple, Tasty Oatmeal

Savvy Vegetarian Basic Recipe: How To Make Oatmeal

I've been eating oatmeal all my life, and took it for granted. I just assumed that everybody ate oatmeal every day of their lives!

It wasn't until I had been vegetarian for a few years, and studied up on vegetarian nutrition that I grew to appreciate oatmeal's finer qualities.

Besides being a fabulous start to the day, oatmeal is a simple way to add another whole grain to your diet. It's well known that oats are high in fiber, but they're also quick cooking, nutritious, satisfying, and versatile. Oats have more protein (and fat) than most grains.

We love to add lots of goodies to oatmeal, as in the variation pictured: cooked with apple chunks, dried blueberries, chopped almonds, cinnamon, hemp milk and ground flax seed added at the end.

If cooked oatmeal has never appealed to you, this recipe and it's variations may persuade you to give it another chance. If not, oatmeal is good in anything baked - like oatmeal date nut muffins!. Or add it to tofu burgers! - Judith Kingsbury, Savvy Vegetarian

Oatmeal Ingredients, 2 - 4 Servings:

• 1 cup quick oats or rolled oats (takes longer to cook)
• 3 - 4 cups cold water (more if you like it creamy, less if you like it thick)
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/2 - 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 - 4 Tbsp raisins

Directions:

1. Place ingredients in a 2 quart pot
2. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally
3. Turn down to simmer
4. Cook until thick and creamy, about 10 minutes, stirring a few times
5. For non-creamy oatmeal, boil the water first, then add the oats
6. For single servings, use 1/4 cup oatmeal and 1 cup water

Enhanced Oatmeal:

These enhancements take a little more time, but they are definitely worth it, for the increased protein, texture and flavor!

• Use rolled oats or steel cut oats, increase the water by 1/2 cup, and increase the cooking time by 5 - 10 minutes
• Add 1 Tbsp veggie spread, vegetable oil, butter, ghee, if you want more calories and a creamier mixture
• Replace part of the oats with other kinds of grain flakes, like barley or rye. Again, increase the cooking time and water if necessary
• Add diced apple, dried blueberries or cranberries, chopped dried figs, apricots or dates instead of or in addition to raisins
• Add 1 Tbsp sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds, 2 Tbsp chopped nuts, or all of the above!
• Increase the water or reduce the oatmeal to accommodate the dried fruit, seeds, nuts, etc
• Add 1 tsp of vanilla
• Mix in 1 Tbsp wheat germ or flax meal, when serving - these shouldn't be cooked
• Eat plain (very good, honest!), or with brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, with dairy, soy or hemp milk - plain or flavored

Time Saver Tips:

• These tips work with old fashioned rolled oats or steel cut oats, not quick oats
• Bring everything except the salt to a boil, cover and let sit for an hour or two while you go do something else. Your oatmeal will just need heating, salting and sweetening when you get back to it
• Do all of the above the night before, then stick the pot in the fridge for reheating in the morning
• The same, but put some in a food thermos. In the morning, just add milk etc and eat
• Put everything in a Crockpot, add boiling water, set on Keep Warm, come back and eat in the morning
• Make double what you need for one day, and save the rest to reheat for tomorrow