Tuesday, October 19, 2010

I Didn't Hate It



Know what that is? An empty bowl of oatmeal. Know where it went? In my tummy. Why is this news? Because I am an oatmeal hater. Yes, that's right: I have tried oatmeal a couple of times, and I hated it so much I vowed to never subject myself to that mess again.

Then I got sick and started craving things to warm me up from the inside out. And what doesn't sound good about a warm, toasty bowl of cinnamon-sprinkled oatmeal laced with raisins or bits of apple? Oh, that's right, the gluey, mushy oatmeal part.

But the craving persisted. Finally, I confessed to my husband: I think I want to try something. He had to ask me three or four times, "What?" before I squeaked out, "Oatmeal." I kid you not, I was so reluctant to tell him, you'd have thought I was confessing to adultery. I was sure he'd tease me, because he remembers how badly my last two oatmeal-eating attempts went.

To his credit, he didn't tease me TOO much. He may have mumbled something about wallpaper paste, but then he went oatmeal shopping with me and helped me pick. Of course once we saw the words "Irish Style" on a package, our minds were made up. We like everything else about Ireland, why not the oatmeal?

So I gave it another shot. I'm not sure what I did differently this time, but I liked the results much more. Instead of being gloppy, it turned out kind of like an oatmeal cookie when it's fresh out of the oven and hasn't set up yet. I stirred in a few of the giant raisins from Trader Joe's, a dash of Domino Sugar 'n Cinnamon, and gave it a try.

And I didn't hate it. It may not have been oatmeal the way it usually is, but it worked for me, so I consider that a success! Next I want to get Gerry to try it, because I think this might change his mind about wallpa...I mean oatmeal too.

How do you make your oatmeal? What are your favorite additions?

10 comments:

Melanie said...

Irish or steel cut is the way to go. It holds up much better thus avoiding the wallpaper paste consistency of instant oatmeal. I like chopped dates and walnuts in mine with a little raw sugar and maybe a pinch of butter.

Krista said...

I like to bring my water to a boil, stir in my oats, put the lid on, turn of the heat, and let it cook that way. I also use more oats than the can calls for. I don't like gluey oats.

Oh, and I have to stir a large spoonful of peanut butter in my bowl of oatmeal. Yum!

Anonymous said...

I used to really, really not like oatmeal as a kid. Then I had kids and they actually LIKED the stuff. So I tried it again and was amazed that I didn't hate it anymore! I usually put in brown sugar and occasionally add chopped pecans.

It is a great cold weather food!

Anonymous said...

Steel cut oatmeal is my favorite. I like to toss in diced apples and cinnamon. Or maple syrup and toasted pecans.

Denise said...

Hubby flakes his own oats for oatmeal. We soak it overnight in some water with a dash of vinegar (makes it easier to digest) and serve with blueberries from the freezer. Hubby also uses some cinnamon in his as well, me I just like sugar and milk on mine...

Sherry from Alabama said...

I love the flavor of oatmeal (with sugar, cinnamon, and pecans), but like you, I don't like the mushiness. So, I buy the old-fashioned rolled oats, boil water in my tea kettle and pour it over the oats and other indredients, add cream and yum, yum! No mushiness. It's a lot like granola that way. Sometimes, when I have a little extra time, I do make granola ceareal out of my oats. It stays crunchy, even in milk!

Sherry @ A Happy Valentine

refabulous said...

Oatmeal is my favorite! So glad you decided to give them another try. My fave: old fashioned oats, a dash of cinnamon, squirt of honey, and a few craisins and crushed walnuts.... almost too good to be breakfast. ;)

mjb said...

I don't know if this would help someone who doesn't like the texture, but here's my method: 1/2 cup oatmeal + 1 cup milk for 3 minutes in the microwave. Then I swirl in a couple spoonfuls of jelly. Yummy.

Unknown said...

I like that kind you were showing or steel cut. It's just grainier! I like it chewy. I like it with raisins,big and plump.

Now what I don't like is grits...very plain. But I like Cream of Wheat...go figure! My grandma calls it Farina. I like it with a dab of butter and very little milk and splenda. Yum!

Anonymous said...

Drizzle of honey, chopped pecans, and a few blueberries. Vert tasty!