Oatmeal, even the thick-cut kind, cooks more quickly than you may think—a couple minutes boiling then 15 off heat to rest, which is just the time you need to jump in the shower and start getting ready for the day.
My method results in an oatmeal with discernible rolled oats, the opposite of gloppy. A plain batch is perfectly delicious but some additions take nicely to the brief boil and rest—chopped apple, raisins, dried currants, and spices like cardamom, coriander, or cinnamon.
For toppings, I usually keep it simple with toasted walnuts, a spoonful of India Tree’s dark muscovado sugar (available at Joe’s Parkway in Bozeman), and a splash of milk, but depending on the season, a pat of butter with cinnamon-sugar or fresh fruit with honey might be what feels right.
This recipe serves 3 or 4, but even if you’re solo, make the full batch. Spoon leftovers into individual serving containers (ideally glass), cover, and refrigerate. To revive, steam or microwave briefly.
from the RiPE archives, January 2017, and way back (pre-kids and pre-blog!)
product recommendations and recipe links:
- Oatmeal: Bob’s Red Mill Old Fashioned Rolled Oats OR Extra Thick Rolled Oats (available organic and gluten-free; don’t bother with “instant” or “quick cooking” unless you like a mushy texture)
- Sugar: India Tree’s dark muscovado
- Recipe: Slow-Cooker Oatmeal with Apple, have oatmeal hot and ready-to-go in the morning
- Recipe: Slow-Cooker Steel-Cut Oats or Oat Groats (see variation in slow-cooker recipe, just above)
Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 3 cups water Use 3½ if you like your oatmeal more porridge-y
- 2 cups rolled oats regular or thick, not instant or "quick"
- ½ tsp salt
Optional:
- ½ tsp ground coriander or cardamom
Toppings:
- toasted nuts, dried fruit, fresh fruit
- dark muscovado sugar, honey, or maple syrup
- cold milk or steamed milk
Instructions
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Bring water to boil in a medium-sized saucepan. Add salt, coriander or cardamom, and oats, give it a stir, lower heat to a simmer and cook for a couple minutes.
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Turn off the heat, give oats a stir, and cover the pan. Let sit for 5–15 minutes, depending on how much time you have and how firm or soft you like your oatmeal. Sweeten as you like and add toppings.
