It's been chilly during our morning walks the last few days, with temperatures hovering around 50F. For some reason, we started talking about oatmeal during our walk on Wednesday, so I decided to whip up a batch of the Best Oatmeal in the Known Universe.
The night before you wish to eat your oatmeal, drag out your crockpot. Turn crockpot to low, and add:
4 cups water
2 cups milk
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp fresh grated nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp vanilla
1/4- 1/2 cup dried cherries
Get a frying pan and lightly toast two cups of oat groats (also known as Scottish or steel-cut oats, available from Bob's Red Mill or any good food coop). You'll probably need to toast one cup at a time. Stop toasting when the oats smell nutty; the point is to add some bonus flavor, not actually cook the oats. Add the hot oats to the crockpot. Cover and go to bed. In the morning, eat.
You can add honey or sugar, or if you're dieting, this is one application in which Stevia does not taste like ass.
There will be tons of leftovers. Cover the crockpot and put it in the fridge. Each day, take a heaping spoonful off the rubbery, gelatinous block of oatmeal and add some milk or yogurt. If you want it hot, microwave it. If you like it cold, like I do, just kinda stir it until it stops being a solid.
Best. Oatmeal. Ever.
Posted by Jane