Cool mornings, hot cereal--So good!

Fall has finally arrived, even if it's just in the early mornings. And this is a time to begin bringing out the oatmeal or any of the many grains that cook into soul-satisfying breakfasts. Even better for the mornings when we're rushed, maybe even groggy, these grains are so easy to make, and quick. Here's a bowl of cooked oatmeal with a spoonful of brown sugar and tablespoon full of raisins and chopped walnuts and milk on top. Took about five minutes to make. 

(A little hint: Make two or three times as much as you'll need for one morning; save what's left after you serve the day's breakfast in a plastic container; reheat in the microwave for about 45 seconds, plus or minus, and add your sweetener and milk. You've got another great breakfast.)

The easiest and best way to make it is on the stove top. Measure about 1/3 cup oatmeal and one cup of water along with the raisins and walnuts. Bring the mixture to a boil, remove from the heat, cover, and let sit while you finish up with other breakfast doings. After about five minutes, transfer the cooked oatmeal to a bowl in which you're place about a tablespoonful of brown sugar. Add a little milk and stir.

Now that's a good breakfast that'll last you for hours. You need it to break that long fast and to give you energy for the rest of the day. Now enjoy it, too.

Recipe for cooked oatmeal or other whole grain: For proportions of grain to water, follow the package directions. Remember that the more water you use, the creamier the cooked cereal; the less water, the firmer the grain. I usually use less water because I like my hot cereal firmer or "toothier," as it is called.

Cooked Oatmeal
Ingredients
Whole grain, use package directions. For one serving of whole oats
     1/3 cup dry whole oats
     1 cup water
     1 tablespoon raisins, or other dried fruit, chopped
     1 tablespoon walnuts, chopped, or other unsalted nut
     1 tablespoon brown sugar or other sweetener such as honey
     Low fat milk
Method
Place first four ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally as the oatmeal is heating. Some grains will require longer cooking times. When ingredients come to a boil, remove from the heat, cover, and let sit for about 5 minutes. (Larger quantities of whole grains may take longer to cook.) Transfer servings of the cooked cereal to bowls in which about a tablespoonful of brown sugar or honey has been placed. Pour about a tablespoonful of low fat milk over the hot cereal. Mix. Enjoy!