Oatmeal — A Non-Sponsored Post

by Katy on November 21, 2011 · 30 comments

As I write this, I am enjoying a large bowl of hot oatmeal. And no, it’s not from a packet, and it certainly doesn’t include dinosaur eggs or wood pulp. It’s just oatmeal. Bought in bulk from Bob’s Red Mill, and then stored in a pretty vintage glass jar on my kitchen counter. (And of course, it’s cooked in a thrifted Descoware pot.)

Oatmeal.

I always sprinkle some brown sugar on top, and then wait for it to melt into ooey-gooey goodness.

Oatmeal.

Healthy, tasty, filling and cheap.

Oatmeal.

I am not perfect. I like prepackaged cereal and would eat daily McMuffins if they were healthy and produced by an ethical company. But when I remember to fix oatmeal, I always end up thinking about how wonderfully pure the experience is, and wonder why I don’t prepare it more often.

Oatmeal.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

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{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }

Mary Kate November 21, 2011 at 1:04 pm

I eat oatmeal most days for breakfast. But I nuke it (does that void the goodness of slow cooked oats?). I often put fruit on it (banana or pear slices) or sometime I cook an apple and then cook the oatmeal with it.

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Katy November 21, 2011 at 1:09 pm

Nope. 😉

Katy

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Carolyn November 21, 2011 at 1:16 pm

So happy to report that on most weekdays, my husband prepares oatmeal with some sort of fruit for my kids and myself. We even love it in the summer with in-season fruit. This morning we had it with frozen strawberries from my brother’s farm (picked and frozen in June 2011). I recently read in a parenting magazine (from our library’s free exchange) that oatmeal is not only inexpensive, but very healthful food.

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Sue G. November 21, 2011 at 1:21 pm

Hear, hear, Katy! Oatmeal. For me, oatmeal with walnuts and dried fruit (or frozen berries). Super Yum!

I have to confess I’m lazy with my extra-thick rolled oats. I pour boiling water over them from my kettle, slide something over the bowl (saucer, plate, pan lid, etc.) to cover it and walk away for 5-10 minutes. Same yummy breakfast, no watching or stirring on the stove. Easy and tasty!

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That Other Jean November 21, 2011 at 1:54 pm

Nope. You’re welcome to my share. It’s the gooey part that gets me.

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Margaret November 21, 2011 at 2:13 pm

Have you tried steel cut oats overnight in the crockpot? Good way to feed the whole family with minimal effort. Leftovers can be made into oatmeal bread.

Also, ever make meusli? I made some today for myself and my 2 year old. She dug it!

Totally agree with you. Simple, affordable, very nutritious… what’s not to like?

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Maureen November 22, 2011 at 3:47 am

Would love your overnight in the crockpot recipe and, of course, the oatmeal bread recipe. Hopefully it’s a quick bread recipe as I’m not much of a bread baker.

Thanks!

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Megyn @Minimalist Mommi November 21, 2011 at 2:22 pm

I love oatmeal! However, I generally make it into trail mix bars…SUPER cheap and delicious! Oatmeal=love!

Here’s a link for the recipe for those interested: http://minimalistmommi.blogspot.com/2011/05/easy-peasy-trail-mix-bars.html

Just made some yesterday w/ pumpkin seeds, cashews, cranberries, & chocolate chips. Very fall-y 🙂

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Jess in Niagara, Canada November 21, 2011 at 3:20 pm

Porridge is too gooey for me too! But I’ve recently discovered Cream of Wheat cooked with same volume of oat bran from the local bulk store! I reckon that gives me the goodness of oats without the slime. And brown sugar on top of it of course. Or cooked with grated apple. Or with nuts-and-raisins-and-cranberries in it.

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Laura's Last Ditch--Adventures in Thrift Land November 21, 2011 at 3:50 pm

We buy rolled oats in 50-lb bags from Country Life Foods (last time is was $19!). Any store that sells it in bulk (like a health food store) is likely to give a discount if you ask for the 50-lb bag–it saves them on packaging and labor. It’s a great food bargain! Honestly, even if you pay full price for plain rolled oats from a regular store, it’s still a food bargain.

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Cate November 21, 2011 at 4:32 pm

Oh, how I LOVE oatmeal! My favorite way to make it is on the stovetop with soy milk (I think it gives the oats a better taste than with dairy milk…not sure why!), cinnamon, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. But I’m happy to nuke it in the microwave when I’m short on time. My 2 1/2-year-old is also ridiculously in love with oatmeal, and often clamors for it when she sees it in the cabinet. So good. And so simple.

(Though I share your lust for McMuffins).

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Elaine November 22, 2011 at 9:00 am

I like it with soy milk too! I’m lactose sensitive, so I’ve been using soy milk exclusively. Good taste, and it lasts longer.

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Claudia November 21, 2011 at 4:33 pm

LOVE oatmeal. I make mine with milk instead of water and then top it with a sprinkle of walnuts and bittersweet chocolate chips, then finish with a tiny swirl of coconut oil. Heaven.

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Heather November 21, 2011 at 5:04 pm

Okay, so steel cut (or pin head) oats, dried cranberries, and/or apples, and…wait for it…sharp shredded CHEDDAR CHEESE. I’m serious.

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Sharron November 21, 2011 at 5:51 pm

Oatmeal is wonderful, delicious, and good medicine. My husband introduced me to “Oatmeal Italiano”–cooked oats drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and freshly ground pepper, and dusted with garlic salt or powder (optional). Mmmmm…Good. You’ll never look at humble oats the same way again. Of course that version with bittersweet chocolate and coconut oil sounds divine, too.

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Carla November 21, 2011 at 6:04 pm

Love oatmeal! I make a large batch with walnuts and raisins and keep it in the fridge. Then reheat in microwave for fast breakfast, sometimes even for a quick snack. yum! My kids used to eat, but now they are anti-oatmeal, not sure how to get out of that rut.

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Christina November 21, 2011 at 6:57 pm

Oatmeal also makes an incredibly gentle facial cleanser. Just run it through the coffee grinder, moisten with water, rub into your skin and rinse off. It’s great to use when your skin is very damaged or dry and needs a little help getting back to normal.

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Jo November 21, 2011 at 7:37 pm

Another oatmeal lover here. I eat it as a meat substitue, with a bit of brown sugar and evaporated milk. It’s easy, cheap, good for your cholesterol, warming, and – in my opinion – delicious!

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Bauunny November 21, 2011 at 8:23 pm

I love oatmeal too. I usually chop up an apple (no need to peel) and throw in some cinnamon or apple pie spice blend. I microwave for approx. 3 minutes. Then I add 1/2 c old fashioned oats and approx. 1 cup of milk (I like almond milk….less calories and more calcium) and microwave 3 more minutes. Voila.
I also mix in 1/3 c raw oats with 1 cup plain yogurt (you can use sweetened or a blend of both) and a dash of OJ and whatever fresh fruit I have in the house. Also good with frozen fruit. If you make it the night before or at least an hour before you eat it, the raw oats soften and you lose the texture…..but I like it either way now. Fast and filling and gives you more fiber to hold you until your next meal.

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Daisy November 21, 2011 at 8:34 pm

One of mine and my toddlers favorites is mashed banana with vanilla, cinnamon and a touch of brown sugar. HEAVEN! I also use my homemade apple sauce to liven it up.

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Candy November 21, 2011 at 9:01 pm

I’ve recently discovered baked oatmeal with peanut butter or pumpkin or whatever add ins. Recipe is over at money saving mom dot com. I want to try the apple and cheddar one now.

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Barb @ 1 Sentence Diary November 22, 2011 at 6:55 am

So many oatmeal lovers! Add me to the list. Couldn’t live without oatmeal on cold days.

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Claudia November 22, 2011 at 8:18 am

What a delicious list of oatmeal variations! Going to have to try the Italian version and the one with cheddar cheese, for sure.

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Jenny November 22, 2011 at 9:03 am

No hot cereal of any kind for me. please. Hate the texture. But I get plenty of oats in granola and muesli.

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Megg November 22, 2011 at 9:47 am

I just bought a huge thing of old fashioned oatmeal from Costco for $8! I was so excited. I love oatmeal, but since I’ve been using the quick cook oats (not packaged, just the different type of off-brand oatmeal in the tube!) the old fashioned is taking getting used to. But I love having oatmeal for breakfast! I have it almost every day in the winter!

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Lisa November 22, 2011 at 10:29 am

Oatmeal rocks! I saw a post recently on oatmeal “to go”. I think it was at Attainable Sustainable. To make, place dry ingredients in a pint canning jar, filling it halfway with the oats, sugar, fruits, nuts, and flavorings of your choice. The next morning fill the jar with hot water, screw the cap on, and wait a few minutes for everything to soften. Eat right from the jar!

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Sharon November 23, 2011 at 5:12 am

It’s been a real long time since I had “real” oatmeal. (I shamelessly use the packets!). BUT, you’ve inspired me to make it over the holiday weekend. Perhaps it may become a staple in our home once again.

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Gregory November 24, 2011 at 6:03 pm

I love to do steel cut oats in the slow cooker for weekend mornings.Mix in some dried fruit and cut up apples, a pinch of salt, part water and part rice milk, set it on low overnight and have a lazy Sunday morning with coffee and hot cereal.

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Nicki November 16, 2015 at 10:43 pm

My kids love to add a few drops of flavouring (extract) to change up their oatmeal. One day we add vanilla, another banana, strawberry or exotic fruit drops. Gives them the feeling of choice like the packets without all the added ingredients.

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Michele November 17, 2015 at 5:33 am

I love oatmeal. I feel similar to you….I always wonder why I don’t make it more often. Even steel cut oats really don’t take ‘that’ long to prepare. I like lots of additions in it, but a fave is shredded coconut (I shred and dry my own now, but I used to use bagged), a few chocolate chips, and a few crushed or slivered almonds. Almond Joy oatiness! 😉 My problem is that my kids and husband will only eat oatmeal if I make it in secret and then spring it on them. lol It’s such a wonderful food!

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