Friday, January 30, 2009

How to Make Oatmeal

Oatmeal is great for breakfast and it’s quick and easy to prepare. However, many of us rely on packaged instant versions instead of using real rolled oats, which are far superior in taste and nutrition (fiber, iron and B vitamins).

Contrary to popular belief, cooking old-fashioned rolled oats doesn’t take that much longer than the
quick-cooking or instant varieties. But the big food companies don’t want us to know that. They also don’t want us to realize how much more expensive the packaged, flavored versions are and the amount of synthetic additives which are unnecessarily added for flavor, texture and appearance.

Cooking real oats takes about five minutes, whereas instant oatmeal takes about two. For the real version, just combine—roughly—equal parts oats and liquid (milk or water) in a pot and stir for about five minutes until the desired consistency is achieved. (For one portion, I use 2/3 cup of oatmeal and 3/4 cup of whole milk; decide for yourself what texture you like.)

Right now you may be thinking, “Wait, that’s it? So why am I paying $4.29 for a box (little less than a pound) of flavored Quak
er Instant Oatmeal in individual portions when Rob pays $1.49 for a pound of organic rolled oats? And why do I need all the synthetic additives when Rob adds his own unprocessed flavorings: raisins or other dried fruit; fresh banana, blueberry, strawberry; nuts; cinnamon; and maple syrup or honey? Why does Rob's oatmeal taste a million times better than the packaged? Are the three minutes I’m saving really worth it?”

These are legitimate questions that can be asked about many foods offered to us. Try the oatmeal; let me know what you think.

Here's a video to help you make it:



38 comments:

Anonymous said...

I usually take 3/4 cup of oats, put it in a saucepan, and pour boiling water over them, just to cover (I use the boiled water for drip coffee, too).
Stir the oats over a low flame for just a minute or two, put a cover over the saucepan and let it rest for a minute if there's too much water still, and then it's ready to eat. I chop up pears or apples to put into it, and use 1% milk.
Like you said, it doesn't take much. Those with microwaves can probably make it more quickly.

pkbos said...

Great blog. I have been wondering why people pay for that awful, artificial-tasting junk they call single serve instant oatmeal for years. Same as both Rob & above, for my 2 boys, I use 1.5 c milk, bring to a boil, add 1/2 c.+ oatmeal, stir a few min, cover & turn off heat. The burner continues to keep it hot a few more minutes, giving me time to rinse a few berries, chop some apples, etc. THEN, I either sprinkle brown sugar or.... chocolate (chips, Quick, it all tastes great) on top. The boys LOVE it.

Anonymous said...

Thanks! This blog is great!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the advice! Wasn't too sure on how i could make natural oatmeal but now i can.

Anonymous said...

going to make some oatmeal now! XD

Anonymous said...

this is great! thanks! =D

Unknown said...

Hey the blog and video is great.. Thanks!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the recipe. Your blog is great; a lot of people want to eat healthier but don't know how.

Katrina said...

Thanks for the tutorial! I have trouble making real oatmeal, it never cooks! Do you put it on low or medium heat?
I know this post was wrtten a little over two years ago, but I googled "How to make oatmeal" and this came up. I am so happy I found your blog. I am currently bringing more and more healthy foods into our home and taking out all the nasty stuff! I want to teach my son how to live a healthy life.
Also where can I get agave nectar? I have heard of it before.
Thanks!

Chef Rob said...

Katrina,

That's great to hear that you are changing the way your family eats. Very cool!

Use medium heat. But if you feel like the food is burning/cooking too quickly, turn the heat down a little. On the flip side, the heat has to be high enough for the food to cook.

Forget the agave; I just deleted its mention from the post. Use real maple syrup or real honey instead. Agave's sugar content is way too high.

Glad you found the blog!

cute angel said...

mmmmmm.......
This lookks like a great recipe!!
Thanks a bunch!! :D

*grateful*

Anonymous said...

I eat rolled oats almost every day, but I'm not gonna lie, I think instant oatmeal tastes FANTASTIC. Better than the real thing. Very very few things do I say that about.

Unknown said...

Great! Thank You very much.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the help and I am a reformed Instant Oatmeal eater...

The real stuff just tastes better and I can add whatever I like but usually raisans, walnuts and a little Splenda brown sugar...

Anonymous said...

This inspired me not only to eat a lot of delicious oatmeal but to question processed food more and more in my life. With chocolate chips it's a real treat.

Thanks!!!

Anonymous said...

Ahhhh, I almost ruined a pot of oatmeal due to this site!! It's one part oats, TWO parts liquid!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey Rob, just saw your post about agave's sugar content. Agave has a lower glycemic index, making it better than honey or maple syrup. look it up.
anyway, thanks for the recipe, that stuff is to die for!

Diana B. said...

I always eyeball my water/oats ratio for microwaving, so getting a proper ratio is very helpful. I've been making mine in the microwave at work, and pecans, honey and cinnamon make breakfast a real treat!

Anonymous said...

Almost 3 years later and this blog is still helpful. I get oatmeal everyday @work but can never get it right at home. Your directions make it seem easy. Can't wait to finally make oatmeal @home. Thanks

ingrid said...

I've been having rolled oats at home for months now, but didn't know how to make a breakfast using it as I use it only to make a very delicious soup. I am so happy i found this blog, and i already started making breakfasts with it, sprinkling fresh blackberries, blueberries...I told my daughter about this because she's buying the artificial flavored expensive oatmeal packages, so hopefully she'll start preparing a real healthy and very yammi anytime-of-day meals. I'll email her the link to this page. Thank you

Anonymous said...

I recently tried adding a little bit of nutella to my oatmeal. So yummy!

Nana Jones said...

I taught my Mom how to make Oatmeal with rolled oats in the microwave this last weekend. She is so excited to discover it was so easy. No more little packets for her.

Anonymous said...

Hi and thanks so much for the recipe! I used to eat instant oatmeal just because of the convenience of it but since I live in Poland now the only thing I can get are the regular rolled oats. My husband loves the way I make it and it really does not take long to cook. I love that I'm able to regulate the amount of sugar in it and add whatever I want to it. I don't think I'm ever going back to eating instant oatmeal again!

Unknown said...

I
Gonna try this

Unknown said...

I make oatmeal for breakfast and sometimes to complement a savory dish. Regardless, the basics are the same: Melt 1/4 c. real butter in saucepan on med-low heat. Add oats and 2 Tbsp. sour cream or yogurt (I use plain greek) to the butter and stir until oats are coated. Add a pinch or two of salt, and another pinch or two of your favorite sweet (e.g., honey, agave, brown sugar, whatever). Add 1/2 c. HOT water or milk, stir, and add more to texture. Salt and sugar to taste.

In some of my homemade curries, I use oats for a side, kind of like rice or quinoa. In such cases I usually add less salt and sugar, replaced by base (veg or chicken work great) and cumin or some spice blend.

Yummy!

Anonymous said...

hi hwz u?i just wanted to ask u that does it really help u to sustain your hunger for prolonged period?m askin dis coz m a guy who eats stuffed chapattis all the time.i really need to loose weight.
cheers

Anonymous said...

Lol just made oatmeal cuz of this

willie said...

If you want brothy really well smoothy oatmeal boil 10 minutes 3/4 cub oatmeal with 4 cups of water and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes

Anonymous said...

can I have oats for 3times per day

Anonymous said...

Thank you! First result when I searched "How To Make Oatmeal"--clearly I'm not the other one. Sad we're all so used to instant, one-minute oatmeal and don't even know what our food is anymore...but that is slowly changing for me and I'm enjoying getting back-to-basics. That is, learning about the stuff I put into my body!

general manager said...

Oatmeal is really healthier food,..it's good to eat, Thanks for sharing this article,..
"Is oatmeal good for you"

Gennie said...

Oatmeal is really healthy food and good for health,.
"Healthy Oatmeal"

Unknown said...

There is information about how to make Oatmeal.IdealShape coupon

The Old Man said...

Put 1/2 cup of old fashioned oats in a 1 qt pan and add boiling water just below top of oats. Place saucepan back on medium heat, stir oats and cook for one minute. Remove from heat and cover. Let sit for two minutes. Add a small amount of whole milk, butter, and sweetener if you desire.

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