How To Cook Simple, Tasty Oatmeal

Savvy Vegetarian Basic Recipe: How To Make Oatmeal

2 - 4 Servings
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 it. It's commonly known that oats are high in fiber, but they're also quick cooking, nutritious, satisfying, and versatile - a simple way to add another grain to your diet. 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!

Judy K, Savvy Vegetarian

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quick oats
• 3 cups cold water (more if you like it creamy, less if you like it thick).
• ½ t salt
• ½ - 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 - 4 Tblsp raisins
• ½ - 1 T butter, ghee, or oil

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
5. Stir occasionally

Endless Variations:

These all take more time so we don't always do them, but they are definitely worth the extra time.

• Use rolled oats, increase the water by 1/2 cup, and increase the cooking time by 5 - 10 minutes
• Substitute 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, chopped figs or dates instead of, or in addition to raisins. Increase the water or reduce the grain with more dried fruit.
• Add two Tblps sunflower seeds or chopped walnuts - increase the water by 1/2 c, or reduce the oatmeal by 1/2 cup
• Add 1 Tbsp wheat germ or flax meal - increase the water or reduce the oatmeal
• Add 1 tsp of vanilla
• Eat plain (very good, honest!), or with brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, with dairy or rice or soy milk, plain or flavored

Note: If you're going to soak and cook beans, it's worth making extra, to freeze in small amounts for future vegetarian meals.

*For more detailed advice on cooking and eating beans:
How To Eat Beans Without Gas

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