1. Posted by lynda_is on Wed, Feb 28, 2007, 1:56 pm PST

This recipe can be followed, except it takes less time putting the oatmeal in the microwave for a minute and a half.

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2. Posted by Brookie on Thu, Mar 01, 2007, 6:01 am PST

A cinnamon bagel with cream cheese or oatmeal w/ brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins. umm good!

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3. Posted by jenicomprispas on Thu, Mar 01, 2007, 7:54 am PST

I made this for breakfast this morning and it was quite good! I substituted some Splenda for the maple syrup, as I hadn't any on hand, and it was just sweet enough to eat, not overly cloying like the packet oatmeal can be. I really like this column, keep up the good work!

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4. Posted by breakawaycook on Thu, Mar 01, 2007, 9:45 am PST

Lynda, I tried it in the nuker this morning. You're right, it's workable, but I dunno, I guess I'm partial to the stovetop. I think it might have something to do with how the crystallized ginger reacts to the microwave. I think it tastes a little better on the stovetop, and it only takes a few minutes more (though those minutes are precious in the morning, I know). Thanks for the kind words, Jeni!

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5. Posted by Chris C on Thu, Mar 01, 2007, 3:09 pm PST

We use the rice cooker to make oatmeal. Keeps it warm till you're ready and doesn't risk burning on the stovetop. Ginger sounds great. My husband likes cut up dried mango. I'm a raisan girl myself. It's our quick breakfast, when I don't do the cooking.

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6. Posted by Jen A on Fri, Mar 02, 2007, 6:23 am PST

I am a regular reader, and I must say that this post is eerily relevant - the boyfriend and myself just had sweetened bagged oatmeal (me) vs. regular oatmeal debate a few days ago (we take breakfast very seriously, haha). After I read your post, I agreed to abandon the packets and try out your suggestions. We used a little brown sugar instead of crystalized ginger, and we both loved it. Thanks for the great ideas!

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7. Posted by breakawaycook on Fri, Mar 02, 2007, 8:54 am PST

I've heard that the fancy rice cookers have programmable timers--you can pour all the stuff in the night before, tell it to be ready at 7:30 am or whenever, and you wake up to perfect oatmeal (and great smells)! I've never had a rice cooker (it's so easy to cook rice on the stovetop, and I have very limited kitchen counter space), but now I'm kind of tempted. And Jen A -- thanks for being a regular reader. May you and your boyfriend live in everlasting oatmeal harmony!

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8. Posted by Dixie H on Mon, Mar 05, 2007, 2:33 pm PST

It does take just a few extra minutes, but it's well worth it. And the rolled oats are so much better for you. I like mine with raisins and a slice of whole wheat toast. YUM....YUM ! ! ! !

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9. Posted by Diana H on Mon, Mar 05, 2007, 3:39 pm PST

Ever try dried cherries in your oatmeal? It's quite good! You put the cherries in with the milk and water and by the time you're done and read to eat the cherries are moist and tasty! Trader Joe's has a pack of dried cherries I like to use...they also work well with Oatmeal cookies...oh man, I'm getting ahead of myself here. :)

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10. Posted by Scott A on Mon, Mar 05, 2007, 7:06 pm PST

I tried this, but with dried goji berries. I concluded that I did not put in enough berries.

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11. Posted by Colleen K on Tue, Mar 06, 2007, 8:49 am PST

I use a few chopped dates, a tablespoon of chopped nuts (usually pecans) and sometimes a few chopped dried apricots. The dates & apricots sweeten the oatmeal naturally and the nuts give it a good crunchy texture. I use Rice milk because I am trying to cut back on dairy. Also, the serving size on the oatmeal box is 1/2 cup dry per serving.

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12. Posted by breakawaycook on Tue, Mar 06, 2007, 1:58 pm PST

Wow, all of those sound great. I especially like the idea of dates and nuts -- becomes almost granola-y.

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13. Posted by judybo_99 on Wed, Mar 07, 2007, 2:11 pm PST

This recipe also works well in the microwave in less time. I also like to add 1/2 tsp of real creamy butter. uuummm

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14. Posted by r2regan on Fri, Mar 09, 2007, 1:35 pm PST

After cooking the oatmeal, I like to add a splash of vanilla, some chopped pecans, brown sugar, and chocolate chips. When I feel really decadant, I add sweetened coconut. It's like having a bowl of cookies for breakfast.

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15. Posted by Debbie F on Sat, Mar 10, 2007, 8:05 pm PST

Chris C...do you use an electric rice cooker or a microwave rice cooker, and...how long are you cooking the oats?

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16. Posted by Bryan R on Sun, Mar 11, 2007, 11:32 am PDT

my morning oatmeal bowl is where i throw many of the ground spices leftover from my dinner cooking. dried fruits and nuts fill in the rest. ground fennel, almond and golden raisin; and ground star anise, pistachio and dried cherry were nice recently. and as much as i hate to admit using the microwave, nuking whole oats works just fine. it's one less dirty pan on the stove-- the AM is just too busy.

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17. Posted by joshallenca on Sun, Mar 11, 2007, 7:55 pm PDT

bagel with cream cheese and avacode, or locs and cream chease, or a omelate, or oatmeal, or or or or haha

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18. Posted by mr_nil_setter on Sun, Mar 11, 2007, 8:31 pm PDT

Ok I understood the article, but what the heck is "fakey-god?"

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19. Posted by ladyroseeyes30 on Sun, Mar 11, 2007, 8:34 pm PDT

hahaha, i think it was supposed to say fakey-good, and they had a typo.

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20. Posted by bizzydays12 on Sun, Mar 11, 2007, 8:38 pm PDT

I have been doing cooked oatmeal off and on a couple of years(no matter what I put in it, after a few weeks I can't stand the sight of it) and this a ood but busy receipe. Recommend KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid and you'll enjoy it more. Crystallized ginger? Who keeps that?

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21. Posted by Michael on Sun, Mar 11, 2007, 8:43 pm PDT

who has time for all of the prep?

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22. Posted by BlondeRabbit on Sun, Mar 11, 2007, 8:44 pm PDT

Try steel cut oats too. Delicious!

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23. Posted by White Organic Polish Princess on Sun, Mar 11, 2007, 8:58 pm PDT

We eat oatmeal everyday! My kids love it so much, they freak when we run out. Our grocer doesn't have bag-your-own, so we buy 2 big cartons at a time, that lasts us about 10 days-we have 4 kids, 9,8,4,1. They each eat an adult serving too! I like to make it with raisins and vanilla too, and alternate with the pure maple syrup and brown sugar. One way that's really good is to (when you have the time, like on weekends) saute some walnuts or almonds in some butter and brown sugar while the oatmeal simmers, then spoon oatmeal into warm bowls, add some milk (we like evaporated-fat free or regular), a spoonful of nut mixture and some fresh grated orange zest. When the sauce hits the milk, it gets all crunchy and crispy, yummy! You can also add other nuts and seeds for more nutrition... The Crock-Pot is another helpful way to make time in the morning. Set your coffee to timer, and you have a custom breakfast and no work to do except sit down and enjoy... Email me if you would like the recipe... momevans4x@houston.rr.com

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24. Posted by Mary G on Fri, Jun 08, 2007, 4:28 pm PDT

I totally agree with the steel cut oats.... so much better, and so much better for you..... Thanks for all the topping ideas.... except for the crystalized ginger, whatever the heck that is!

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25. Posted by on Thu, Jun 28, 2007, 6:21 pm PDT

Steel-cut oats are good, but they're different. I like both kinds, but really for different reasons, kinda like scrambled eggs versus poached eggs. Anyhow, my favorite is the rolled oats, and I particularly like Bob's Red Mill extra-thick oats. I also prefer to put the oats into already boiling water, instead of bringing the whole thing to a boil. It makes it more labor-intensive, 'cause you can't just set the timer and go away, but leaves you with each rolled oat flake distinct, and I really do like that texture better. Of course, whatever way you do it, it's still oatmeal, and still one of the best simple foods around. My aunt used to have an ancient Wedgewood stove (it burned wood!), with a deep pot thing on one side where she kept oatmeal ready-to-go all the time If it got low, she just threw in some more oatmeal, some more water, and maybe a handful of raisins. A wonderful way to start the day, to be sure.

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26. Posted by reddbone on Wed, Aug 01, 2007, 2:23 pm PDT

4 vegetarian egg whites or 2 veggie whites and 2 veggie eggs scrambled w/fresh white or black pepper and topped w/fresh salsa is Da Bomb! You can also make an omlet w/finely chopped green pepper, red onoin, pea pods, and cherry tomatoe halves or fresh salsa. um! GOOD.

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27. Posted by charles on Tue, Mar 03, 2009, 5:10 am PST

i love the milk/water combo thing...altho i would use half as much liquid, and then add a bit of cream et the end. super tasty! http://www.creative-lifestyles.com/perfect-oatmeal/

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28. Posted by meje005 on Thu, May 14, 2009, 1:58 pm PDT

Every morning I cook one cup of dry rolled oatmeal with a 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup milk. 5 minutes in the microwave is good. I use 0 calorie I can't believe it's not butter spray, several tablespoons of splenda, and a teaspoon and a half of cinnamon. Toppings: chopped bananas and/or strawberries, raisins, nuts (even peanuts are suprisingly good), and a dollop of whipped cream. I know, according to serving size, this is enough for 2 people but I can easily eat all of it ( it does fit in the average cereal bowl). Because of all the carbs I get from breakfast oatmeal (though they are the good complex carbs) I cut back on what I take in at lunch and dinner eating lean meat (chicken, turkey salmon, tuna) and low carb veggies (green beans, broccoli, turnip greens, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, etc.).

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