Oatmeal may be the perfect breakfast food: it’s quick, inexpensive, healthy and can be adapted to almost anyone’s tastes. Fast food companies such as McDonald’s and Tim Horton’s have recently added oatmeal to their menus, however, it is easy to make at home and can be ready to eat in minutes at a fraction of the price.
What Type of Oatmeal?
For a breakfast that will be ready in minutes, look for quick-cooking rolled oats, which will usually cook in less than five minutes. Check the label to ensure the oats are 100% wholegrain oats with no additives. Bob’s Red Mill, McCann’s Irish Oatmeal and Quaker are all readily available at most supermarkets in the cereal aisle. In addition to breakfast, oatmeal can be used in desserts such as cookies and squares and as an alternative to breadcrumbs in meatloaf.
Basic Oatmeal Recipe – Customize with one of the suggestions below
Makes one serving – can easily be multiplied
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup oatmeal
- Pinch of salt
- Sugar, to taste
- Additions (see below)
- In a small saucepan with a lid, bring the water to a boil. Stir in the oatmeal and cook for one minute, until it is beginning to thicken.
- Stir in any sugar and additions. Turn off the heat, cover the pot and let sit for five minutes. Spoon into a bowl, top with any garnishes and serve.
Make it Richer: Use cream or low-fat evaporated milk in place of half the water for a richer dish. For extra protein, a beaten egg can be stirred into the hot oatmeal.
Apple-Spice: Peel and dice a small apple. Stir into the oatmeal and add a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and brown sugar to taste. Add a few fresh or frozen cranberries if desired.
Banana-Nut: Cut up a very ripe banana and add to the oatmeal. Add a pinch of cinnamon, a splash of vanilla, rum extract (optional), two tablespoons of chopped walnuts and brown sugar to taste.
Blueberry-Maple: Add a half-cup of frozen or fresh blueberries. Sweeten to taste with maple syrup. Drizzle a bit of maple syrup over the finished dish.
Strawberry-Vanilla: Replace half of the water with milk, cream or evaporated milk. Hull and slice a half-cup of fresh strawberries (or use frozen). Add a teaspoon of vanilla and sugar to taste. Garnish with sliced berries.
Cherry-Almond: Pit and halve a half-cup of fresh cherries. Add half a teaspoon of almond extract, half a teaspoon of vanilla and sugar to taste. Stir in a quarter-cup of chopped almonds.
Raisin: Add a half-cup of raisins, half a teaspoon of vanilla and sugar to taste.
An Unusual Savory Twist: Use chicken or vegetable stock in place of water. Stir in leftover cooked vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, spinach, etc. Add grated cheese such as cheddar and stir until melted. Cooked ham or bacon can also be added. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Trish Coleman - Trish grew up in a small town in New Brunswick, Canada and her family ate fresh home cooked meals every night. Her family grew most of ...
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