Oatmeal with all the fixins'

[tygertygertyger]

There's snow (maybe closer to sleet) on the ground outside our place, and oatmeal is on my mind. I have two standard ways that I make it -
 a. with diced apple, loaded with cinnamon, generous walnuts, pumpkin & sunflower seeds
 b. with a bourbon pear butter that I make in fall, plus see above generous walnuts, etc

I have been strongly advised to try a banana and CHUNKY (not creamy) peanut butter combo.

I figure the MMM community likely has a strong oatmeal game, so how do you make yours?

[Luke Warm]

I used to eat those packets of instant oatmeal every morning. The Brown sugar & Cinnamon were especially good. Lots of sugar though so I quit them. Now I occasionally eat regular oatmeal with a little sugar or maple syrup, butter, cinnamon & some milk.

[sonofsven]

This might sound weird, but since it's a bunch of weirdos here anywayyy, I do a savory oatmeal.
1/2 cup oats, 1 cup water, and while it's cooking, throw a handful of walnuts and some cut up kale in my cast iron frying pan and saute/roast slightly on the stovetop in a little EVOO.
When the oats are cooked I stir in a nice amount of EVOO, a splash of Bragg's liquid aminos, and top with the walnuts/kale.
I love to add diced avocado, a small dollop of sour cream, and a little fresh salsa.
Great mix of flavors.

[LifeHappens]

Another weird savory one. 1/2 cut old fashioned oats. Stir in 1 egg, plus "enough" water. Cook in microwave. Top with a sprinkle of cheese and a tablespoon of salsa.

[GuitarStv]

I figure the MMM community likely has a strong oatmeal game, so how do you make yours?

With boiling water.

[ixtap]

With chia seeds (and usually a bit of flax and hemp), not oats, but I add a glop of cinnamon (maybe cardamon and ginger if I am feeling spicy) and a handful of berries. Today I also had turkey sausage on the side (I leave out the hemp when I do this, as I don't need the double dose of protein).

If DH is making pancakes, I add some of his simmered peaches, instead of berries. I think I would have to cook apples to enjoy them in this way.

This is more expensive than oatmeal, but as a diabetic money is often a secondary  consideration in choosing foods. I do get my seeds at Costco to cut costs a little.

[ATtiny85]

I have eaten quick oats basically daily for a long time, but never put much in it. A shot of cinnamon or a squirt of honey. I have had it at restaurants while traveling and fruits and nuts also taste good, but never had an interest to bring that to my daily bowl.

[uniwelder]

I'm a big fan of steel cut oats.  There's much more texture than the rolled kind.  It takes 30 minutes in the Instant Pot--- 5 to cook, then 25 to absorb and cool.  Also, use 1/2 milk or soymilk with 1/2 water, makes it much creamier.

[bacchi]

I do my oatmeal with berries and sometimes with walnuts.

Savory oatmeal does sound good.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

If I'm going oatmeal, I make a large pan of baked oatmeal on the weekend, and then just reheat individual pieces during the week. I either go with a berry combo, but also really like peanut butter/banana. Have tried chocolate (cocoa powder)/peanut butter, and it was also delicious.

[tygertygertyger]

I'm definitely intrigued by the savory options... I've seen people adding an egg and greens, but never tried it.

I have made a baked carrot cake oatmeal when I'm feeling like treating myself... that's always tasty.

[YttriumNitrate]

My morning oatmeal usually includes cinnamon, salt, and whatever fruit is in season from my yard (or banana / apple if nothing is). Blackberries are the first fresh homegrown fruit of the year, followed by pears, and then pawpaws. I froze some pumpkin and pawpaw, so I've been eating pawpaw/pumpkin oatmeal recently. That should last until late January or February at which time I'll begrudgingly switch to store bought apples and bananas for a few months.

[Wolfpack Mustachian]

Overnight oats. Half cup oats. Two thirds cup while milk. 1 teaspoon brown sugar. 1 teaspoon "real" maple syrup.

Do five on Sunday night for breakfast all week!

[GuitarStv]

I figure the MMM community likely has a strong oatmeal game, so how do you make yours?

With boiling water.

Although this is my normal method of eating oats, I do higher calorie stuff when going for a long bike ride:

- Mix a handful of butterscotch chips, a handful of chocolate chips, and a handful of peanuts in before adding your boiling water
- Mix in a half cup of chopped dates, chia seeds, and use boiling coffee with cream instead of boiling water

[Wolfpack Mustachian]

I figure the MMM community likely has a strong oatmeal game, so how do you make yours?

With boiling water.

Although this is my normal method of eating oats, I do higher calorie stuff when going for a long bike ride:

- Mix a handful of butterscotch chips, a handful of chocolate chips, and a handful of peanuts in before adding your boiling water
- Mix in a half cup of chopped dates, chia seeds, and use boiling coffee with cream instead of boiling water

Do you really just do oatmeal totally plain sometimes? That's hard core.

[Metalcat]

I don't do much have oatmeal recipes as I have tons of recipes that can have any kind of grain used in them and sometimes I use steel cut oats.

I just used steel cut oats in place of rice for a broccoli, tomato, pesto, feta bake. So yeah, I make a lot of savoury dishes with steel cut oats.

On the rare occasions I have them for breakfast, I add banana, maple syrup, and plain yogurt.

[Wolfpack Mustachian]

I don't do much have oatmeal recipes as I have tons of recipes that can have any kind of grain used in them and sometimes I use steel cut oats.

I just used steel cut oats in place of rice for a broccoli, tomato, pesto, feta bake. So yeah, I make a lot of savoury dishes with steel cut oats.

On the rare occasions I have them for breakfast, I add banana, maple syrup, and plain yogurt.

Have you noticed anything where oats specifically don't work well as a substitute for rice? I'd like to use less rice and more oats if possible - or to be more precise I'd like to make recipes with rice that I don't make because I don't want to eat too much rice.

[Metalcat]

I don't do much have oatmeal recipes as I have tons of recipes that can have any kind of grain used in them and sometimes I use steel cut oats.

I just used steel cut oats in place of rice for a broccoli, tomato, pesto, feta bake. So yeah, I make a lot of savoury dishes with steel cut oats.

On the rare occasions I have them for breakfast, I add banana, maple syrup, and plain yogurt.

Have you noticed anything where oats specifically don't work well as a substitute for rice? I'd like to use less rice and more oats if possible - or to be more precise I'd like to make recipes with rice that I don't make because I don't want to eat too much rice.

It's more of a personal taste thing, so just trial and error.

It works well for casseroles and bakes that have more of a soft, risotto-ish texture. I obviously wouldn't use it in a dish where I need rice to be nice a fluffy and dry, but bakes, casseroles, stews, curries, etc, all are very flexible on terms of what grains you can use.

If a recipe needs a firm, dry grain, I use quinoa, millet, farro, and sorghum. For softer or more moist grain, I use couscous, oats, barley, riced cauliflower.

If I do use rice, I use brown rice because I prefer the texture.

Just play around and try different tastes and textures in different recipes. I often find couscous too sweet, quinoa too bitter, and cauliflower gets too mushy, so I learn by trial and error what will work in which recipe.

[FIRE Artist]

I have an oatmeal “bar” on my counter that I established during the pandemic with a big jar of quick cook steel cut oats, and small jars of various diced dried fruits and nuts.  I cook them in the microwave with water.

Lately I have been in a pineapple and coconut kick. 

[dividendman]

My morning oatmeal usually includes cinnamon, salt, and whatever fruit is in season from my yard (or banana / apple if nothing is). Blackberries are the first fresh homegrown fruit of the year, followed by pears, and then pawpaws. I froze some pumpkin and pawpaw, so I've been eating pawpaw/pumpkin oatmeal recently. That should last until late January or February at which time I'll begrudgingly switch to store bought apples and bananas for a few months.

pawpaw... you'd figure at 40 years old in the USA where all fruit is available I'd know most all of them... I've never even heard of a pawpaw! I want to try it!

Wow, a quick search and it's even native to the eastern US and Canada... I grew up there. zounds.

[Wolfpack Mustachian]

My morning oatmeal usually includes cinnamon, salt, and whatever fruit is in season from my yard (or banana / apple if nothing is). Blackberries are the first fresh homegrown fruit of the year, followed by pears, and then pawpaws. I froze some pumpkin and pawpaw, so I've been eating pawpaw/pumpkin oatmeal recently. That should last until late January or February at which time I'll begrudgingly switch to store bought apples and bananas for a few months.

pawpaw... you'd figure at 40 years old in the USA where all fruit is available I'd know most all of them... I've never even heard of a pawpaw! I want to try it!

Wow, a quick search and it's even native to the eastern US and Canada... I grew up there. zounds.

Oh yeah, it's a very interesting fruit - like nothing I've ever had before. I personally like other fruits better, but I definitely would try one if you have a chance!

[sonofsven]

I have an oatmeal “bar” on my counter that I established during the pandemic with a big jar of quick cook steel cut oats, and small jars of various diced dried fruits and nuts.  I cook them in the microwave with water.

Lately I have been in a pineapple and coconut kick.

Don't go to Hawaii, you'll OD! Haupia, traditional Hawaiian coconut pudding, mmm!

[GuitarStv]

I figure the MMM community likely has a strong oatmeal game, so how do you make yours?

With boiling water.

Although this is my normal method of eating oats, I do higher calorie stuff when going for a long bike ride:

- Mix a handful of butterscotch chips, a handful of chocolate chips, and a handful of peanuts in before adding your boiling water
- Mix in a half cup of chopped dates, chia seeds, and use boiling coffee with cream instead of boiling water

Do you really just do oatmeal totally plain sometimes? That's hard core.

I've been finding that you adapt to what you're used to.  Initially it's like "ugh, this is a bowl of bland" but a couple of weeks of plain oatmeal for breakfast and it starts to feel/taste normal.

[Dreamer40]

I most often make overnight oats with rolled oats, frozen berries (or fresh when I have them in the garden), plain yogurt, and milk. 1/2 cup of each ingredient. Add some maple syrup and nuts in the morning.

For hot oats, I usually cook steel cut oats with chopped fresh apple and cinnamon. Add some raisins and maple syrup at the end. But I also love hot oatmeal with fresh blueberries and pecans.

[jinga nation]

Steel cut oats (preferred) but rolled or even quick-cooking will do.
Cook 'em with water and milk. Pinch of salt. Optional cinnamon.
Add chopped dates and walnuts.
optional chia and hemp hearts, and/or honey or maple syrup in lieu of dates.
On days for long bike rides or big workouts, add 1 tablespoon nut butter.
Variations include other dry fruits. Or fresh sliced bananas, or some frozen berries.

Can make this in microwave too with the quick cooking oats, stirring every 45 secs, for 2.5-3 mins.

Sometimes I don't want sweet. Use salt, pepper, hot sauce. Boiled/fried/scrambled egg on the side, with hot sauce.

[LifeHappens]

I have an oatmeal “bar” on my counter that I established during the pandemic with a big jar of quick cook steel cut oats, and small jars of various diced dried fruits and nuts.  I cook them in the microwave with water.

Lately I have been in a pineapple and coconut kick.

Don't go to Hawaii, you'll OD! Haupia, traditional Hawaiian coconut pudding, mmm!

I don't know. That sounds like a pretty good way to die :)

[jrhampt]

Most often: brown sugar and butter, generous amounts of each.

If I'm feeling odd, I'll eat it with peanut butter.

[Serendip]

I like to cook old-fashioned oats with finely chopped ginger.
It adds a little extra zing.

When I need more oomph, I'll top with pb or walnut butter or any nut butter I have around.
but normally it's just oats, ginger, berries and oat milk (or yogurt).
yum.

[Metta]

I set up oat groats in the rice cooker at night so that they are ready in the morning for my husband who eats them with frozen blueberries. Oat groats are amazing!

For my own oatmeal I am another savory oats fan. I make my oatmeal with frozen mixed vegetables, a bit of nutritional yeast, salt, soy milk, and sometimes I toss in some nuts.

[FINate]

Steel cut oats, brown sugar, butter, walnuts, dried cranberries, and a little milk as needed to thin. Don't forget some freshly grated nutmeg *chef's kiss*

[Davnasty]

1/2 cup rolled oats with 1 banana, 1 cup milk, 1 scoop whey protein, and enough water to blend and chug.

Oatmeal is good, cheap nutrition but I'm not a huge fan of eating it so I make a shake and get it over with.

[oldladystache]

Every time this thread pops up I find myself making myself a bowl of oatmeal. Rolled oats, generous dollop of maple sugar, and water. 1 minute in the microwave.

Off now to fix it.

[chevy1956]

I most often make overnight oats with rolled oats, frozen berries (or fresh when I have them in the garden), plain yogurt, and milk. 1/2 cup of each ingredient. Add some maple syrup and nuts in the morning.

I use frozen mango or berries in the microwave and add some sugar to it. I mix that with slow cooked oats or oats left overnight to soak. It's really good.

When I'm feeling decadent I make a granola to go along with it and put it on top. The granola consists of oats, any sort of nuts, usually some seeds or LSA/flaxseeds and baked in the oven slowly with butter, salt and honey. It's heaven.

[Wolfpack Mustachian]

I most often make overnight oats with rolled oats, frozen berries (or fresh when I have them in the garden), plain yogurt, and milk. 1/2 cup of each ingredient. Add some maple syrup and nuts in the morning.

I use frozen mango or berries in the microwave and add some sugar to it. I mix that with slow cooked oats or oats left overnight to soak. It's really good.

When I'm feeling decadent I make a granola to go along with it and put it on top. The granola consists of oats, any sort of nuts, usually some seeds or LSA/flaxseeds and baked in the oven slowly with butter, salt and honey. It's heaven.

Do you sprinkle the sugar on the berries and then microwave it and then put it in the oats? What kind of sugar do you use?

[chevy1956]

I most often make overnight oats with rolled oats, frozen berries (or fresh when I have them in the garden), plain yogurt, and milk. 1/2 cup of each ingredient. Add some maple syrup and nuts in the morning.

I use frozen mango or berries in the microwave and add some sugar to it. I mix that with slow cooked oats or oats left overnight to soak. It's really good.

When I'm feeling decadent I make a granola to go along with it and put it on top. The granola consists of oats, any sort of nuts, usually some seeds or LSA/flaxseeds and baked in the oven slowly with butter, salt and honey. It's heaven.

Do you sprinkle the sugar on the berries and then microwave it and then put it in the oats? What kind of sugar do you use?

Just white sugar. I microwave the berries first and then mix in the sugar. I then mix the berries with the oats. The berries and sugar provides all the sweetness. I use soy milk. I eat predominantly plant based but the granola with some butter is next level awesome.

[BicycleB]

Raisins to taste, water; microwave

[eyesonthehorizon]

Various spice combinations, often ground ginger & cinnamon, with whatever nuts are on hand. Vanilla or coconut extracts. Fruits, fresh or boiled in the water. Craisins, dried apricot, dates, or dry shredded coconut rarely. Sometimes cream. Sometimes ice cream. Or mashed with bananas for “pancakes” with a little salted butter.

I’ve been meaning to see if it would go well topped with saffron cream & crushed pistachio, but keep chickening out with my expensive ingredients & using them more familiar ways.

For savory: HAGGIS! I’ll never understand why haggis isn’t popular across the US.

[tygertygertyger]

Various spice combinations, often ground ginger & cinnamon, with whatever nuts are on hand. Vanilla or coconut extracts. Fruits, fresh or boiled in the water. Craisins, dried apricot, dates, or dry shredded coconut rarely. Sometimes cream. Sometimes ice cream. Or mashed with bananas for “pancakes” with a little salted butter.

I’ve been meaning to see if it would go well topped with saffron cream & crushed pistachio, but keep chickening out with my expensive ingredients & using them more familiar ways.

For savory: HAGGIS! I’ll never understand why haggis isn’t popular across the US.

I am excited about everything you mention except haggis!

[GuitarStv]

I like haggis.  It's basically a big burger shaped sausage.  What's not to like?

[tygertygertyger]

Vegetarian here. No beef (or sheep) with anyone who eats haggis.

[eyesonthehorizon]

You could probably pull off something similar with all the same stuff, but using lentils, or maybe a portion soaked chickpea, as with falafel? Together they'd have the right kind of grounding proteiny earthiness, I think. The confining apparatus can be a tea towel, if it comes to it. I've had surprisingly decent haggis from a can before.