Perfect Porridge

Did you know January is National Oatmeal Month? Now that the weather is really winter, a warm breakfast tastes especially good. If you're one of those who rebells at the thought of oatmeal, remembering the hot lumpy glob your mom placed in front of you before a wintery school day (like my husband), it's time to rethink oatmeal. This isn't your mother's oatmeal!
Oatmeal offers a tasty warm breakfast that's healthy for you. With New Year's Resolutions fresh in mind, this is a meal that will help lose weight, lower LDL (the "bad") cholesterol, reduce the risk of certain cancers, and perhaps even help reduce blood pressure. It contains both soluble and insoluble fiber, and many important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants - think protein, B vitamins, folate, calcium, and iron. Besides being healthy, oatmeal is hearty and affordable.

There are many forms of Oatmeal available now - rolled, quick, thick cut, Irish steel cut, and instant. Oats are processed into rolled oats by first removing the outer husk or hull, yielding "groats." The groats are then cleaned, steamed, toasted, steamed again to soften them, and finally, rolled. Rolled oats that are not cut into smaller pieces are termed "old fashioned". Steel cut oats are cut into two or three pieces with steel cutters without being rolled.  Groats that are cut into a couple of pieces before being steamed and rolled are "quick oats". "Instant" oatmeal is steamed yet again and sweeteners, flavors and other ingredients may be added. The less processed though, the better the oatmeal is for you.

My favorite is steel cut oatmeal. The problem is - it takes about 30 minutes to prepare. But I've found a solution that makes breakfast quick on most mornings. Follow the directions on the package for 4 servings. Using milk instead of water makes the oatmeal more nutritious and tasty. Then divide the oatmeal into serving bowls (I find that 4 servings usually makes 5 bowls for me). Sprinkle with brown sugar, craisins, and sliced almonds. Cover with plastic wrap and stack bowls in the refrigerator. A quick microwave reheating with a little more milk makes a quick and warm bowl of breakfast. You can also prepare the larger batch in the oven, with a setting of 325 degrees for about 1 hour or longer. I did try this once, and found it will need a much larger baking dish than you would think. Cleaning the oven wasn't worth it for me!

Besides eating oatmeal for breakfast, oatmeal is good to add to many other foods. Substitute oatmeal for rice in stir-frys, gumbo, casseroles. Use in place of breadcrumbs in meatballs and meatloaf. Make oatmeal crusted chicken, tilapia, eggplant. And of course, oatmeal cookies or granola are always a favorite!
So, celebrate Oatmeal Month with a healthy breakfast! Besides all the health benefits and taste, oatmeal can be versatile in other parts of your life. Oatmeal baths are commonly used for poison ivy, insect bites, diaper rash, sunburn or dry skin. You can buy oatmeal bath products or make your own by grinding oatmeal into a fine powder and adding it to your bath. So many uses for a little grain!