Oatmeal Tips...HELP!

[iwannaprettyone]

...hehe

I wanted to start my day out right, so I fixed a bowl of Original Old Fashion oatmeal and...it tastes AWFUL. The texture is all wrong.

Please, Oatmeal Lovers, give me some tips on getting this stuff cooked (microwave) and edible...HELP, I''m starvin'' over here!

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Do you like it thinner or thicker? I like thick, lumpy oatmeal with lots of brown sugar and a pinch of salt. If yours is too runny, add some more oats, and pop it back in the Nuker for a little while more.

 

[iwannaprettyone]

Date: 12/10/2007 11:37:54 AM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
Do you like it thinner or thicker? I like thick, lumpy oatmeal with lots of brown sugar and a pinch of salt. If yours is too runny, add some more oats, and pop it back in the Nuker for a little while more.

I like it thick, but NOT chewy lmao...

ETA: 2nd attempt...huge overflow accident in company microwave ROTFL

 

[gwendolyn]

I cheat and use the Quaker Instant (Apples & Cinnamon, had it this morning, mmmm) and boil my water on the stove, pour and stir until it looks right, and then I munch it down.

 

[iwannaprettyone]

Date: 12/10/2007 11:45:53 AM
Author: gwendolyn
I cheat and use the Quaker Instant (Apples & Cinnamon, had it this morning, mmmm) and boil my water on the stove, pour and stir until it looks right, and then I munch it down.

Hey stranger! I should have bought instant packs.... darn it.

 

[Julianna]

I started eating oatmeal a little while ago on a regular basis as a vehicle for flaxseed (good for you!). This is the secret (my little sister taught me all I know about oatmeal): Buy normal oatmeal, the kind you have sounds normal. Doesn''t have to be "quick oats". Boil the water (pre-measured) in the microwave. Pour it on dry oatmeal. Let it sit for a few minutes. It works. Microwaving oatmeal? Doesn''t work. I like my oatmeal EDIBLE.

Then put on your oatmeal decorations, ie. brown sugar and so on.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/10/2007 11:57:36 AM
Author: Julianna
I started eating oatmeal a little while ago on a regular basis as a vehicle for flaxseed (good for you!). This is the secret (my little sister taught me all I know about oatmeal): Buy normal oatmeal, the kind you have sounds normal. Doesn''t have to be ''quick oats''. Boil the water (pre-measured) in the microwave. Pour it on dry oatmeal. Let it sit for a few minutes. It works. Microwaving oatmeal? Doesn''t work. I like my oatmeal EDIBLE.

Then put on your oatmeal decorations, ie. brown sugar and so on.

Great tips J ! I will try that next time as I am sick of trying to force down lumpy, cardboardy, congealed...gloop

 

[iwannaprettyone]

Date: 12/10/2007 11:57:36 AM
Author: Julianna
I started eating oatmeal a little while ago on a regular basis as a vehicle for flaxseed (good for you!). This is the secret (my little sister taught me all I know about oatmeal): Buy normal oatmeal, the kind you have sounds normal. Doesn''t have to be ''quick oats''. Boil the water (pre-measured) in the microwave. Pour it on dry oatmeal. Let it sit for a few minutes. It works. Microwaving oatmeal? Doesn''t work. I like my oatmeal EDIBLE.

Then put on your oatmeal decorations, ie. brown sugar and so on.

I will try this tomorrow morning and give you my results...quite frankly I have lost my appetite at this point.

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 12/10/2007 11:48:54 AM
Author: iwannaprettyone

Date: 12/10/2007 11:45:53 AM

Author: gwendolyn

I cheat and use the Quaker Instant (Apples & Cinnamon, had it this morning, mmmm) and boil my water on the stove, pour and stir until it looks right, and then I munch it down.

Hey stranger! I should have bought instant packs.... darn it.

Hello, m''dear! Just wanted to add that boiling the water on the stove works well for me because I usually like to have tea with my oatmeal, so I just boil a bunch in the kettle and pour out a round for my teabag and my instant oatmeal, but as Juliana suggested, might be a little faster to use the microwave to boil ze water.

I love your Christmasized avatar, by the way, and that you made a thread about oatmeal.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

Date: 12/10/2007 11:57:36 AM
Author: Julianna
I started eating oatmeal a little while ago on a regular basis as a vehicle for flaxseed (good for you!). This is the secret (my little sister taught me all I know about oatmeal): Buy normal oatmeal, the kind you have sounds normal. Doesn't have to be 'quick oats'. Boil the water (pre-measured) in the microwave. Pour it on dry oatmeal. Let it sit for a few minutes. It works. Microwaving oatmeal? Doesn't work. I like my oatmeal EDIBLE.

Then put on your oatmeal decorations, ie. brown sugar and so on.

This is exactly how I make mine each morning. It's my b-fast staple! I keep a big "costco-size" bag of it in a file drawer at work and just use boiling water from the water cooler to "cook" it. Hehe- it originally took some trial and effort as it would either be too soupy, or too thick. I now have it down to a science.

Once it's perfect, I then add a spoonfull of applesauce to sweeten it. yum

 

[partgypsy]

Strangely enough, I have never tried to microwave oatmeal. I think I know why now. I would stick to the instant oatmeal, and pour the boiling water INTO the oatmeal.

Now if you are at home and have 20-30 minutes, get the steel cut oats. YUM! Alot of diners where I''m from (Chicago) would just have oatmeal on the 24 hour menu (is it from the Scottish population?) Salty, thick, yummy! I couldn''t replicate it at home. until I found out about the steel cut oats.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

Date: 12/10/2007 12:20:21 PM
Author: part gypsy
Strangely enough, I have never tried to microwave oatmeal. I think I know why now. I would stick to the instant oatmeal, and pour the boiling water INTO the oatmeal.

Now if you are at home and have 20-30 minutes, get the steel cut oats. YUM! Alot of diners where I''m from (Chicago) would just have oatmeal on the 24 hour menu (is it from the Scottish population?) Salty, thick, yummy! I couldn''t replicate it at home. until I found out about the steel cut oats.

Oh yeah!! steel cut oats are the best. I have those on the weekends, ''cause they take time to cook.

yep, I''m an oatmeal girl!

 

[partgypsy]

Oops that came out wrong, they don''t "just" have oatmeal on the 24 hour menu, they have other stuff as well

I''m so glad my 2 girls like oatmeal so I can cook up a pot''s worth.

 

[Mara]

ARGH I had this huge post and lost it.

Here's the jist. I love oatmeal and have it almost daily for a snack between breakfast and lunch.

My two favorites:
Whole Foods plain oatmeal, comes in blue box. Love this stuff. It's plain but you can add to it. 150 cals, 5g fiber, 6g protein.
Low Sugar Apples and Cinnamon or Maple and Brown Sugar from Quaker. 110 cals, 3g fiber, 4g protein.

Both of the above are instant. But they have great nutritionals. I know some people say don't eat instant because it doesnt have the same nutritionals but I have done comparisons as I eat a lot of oatmeal and the above two are my favorites for taste and 'keeps me full longest' and best nutritionals. They compare to my regular old fashioned Quaker rolled oats container but yet take 1/5 the time of cooking. Same with steel cut..takes too long for me and I get the same nutrition up above, so it's not worth it. Trader Joes also does frozen pre packaged steel cut which is tasty, just dump the block into a bowl and microwave. It comes out a little chewy and textured, reminds me a bit of sticky rice, which I like. It's 150 cals, 4g protein, 5g fiber I think.

I add in protein powder (vanilla is tasty) for extra protein and no carbs, or sugar free maple syrup. You can add in low sugar jam, or honey, or brown sugar to the plain. Also some people like berries or nuts on top as well but I am not a huge fan. Yogurt mixed in sometimes.

I actually like the taste of less sweet more textured oatmeal so I don't mind my stuff a little plain. I use 100% water when I make it at work, but at home I do 1/2 water, 1/2 milk and it's very creamy. Also put in way more water and/or milk than you think you will need...because I find when I microwave it for up to 2 minutes (stirring every 30 seconds), the oatmeal absorbs everything and gets really huge and puffy. In the past I have not put enough water and it didn't keep me full for very long as the oatmeal wasn't totally cooked. Oh and I use hot water and microwave it also. And yes it will overflow as it cooks, hence why I open and stir every 30 seconds (sometimes have to do it every 10 seconds for the last minute).

 

[zdrastvootya]

I don''t use quick or instant oatmeal - I''ve heard they''re less good (as Mara mentioned) for you since the oats are treated with heat to make them cook quicker.

I''m not too picky about undercooked or chewy thick oatmeal. Less water is less likely to overflow, but I also turn the microwave down from 10 to 8 or 7. This lets the oatmeal settle down before it overflows, but I had to figure this out by watching it. I''m too lazy to be stirring all the time Sometimes I would use power 10, but just use a really big bowl to stop the over flowing. (Can you tell I''m a guy?)


I figure 5 minutes is normal cooking time, and that I should cook for 6 since I''m only cooking at power 8, but I''m too impatient to wait more than 5 minutes.


I put a bit of salt and a tbsp of brown sugar (is that too much?) before cooking.

Z.

 

[Gypsy]

I cook mine in milk on the stovetop. No matter if I'm using quick oats or steel cut (I don't use pre-flavored packets), I follow the directions but use 1% milk and I cook long enough for the oats to bloom. Then I top with brown sugar when it's done. And it's perfect.

 

[Julianna]

Date: 12/10/2007 12:08:10 PM
Author: Lorelei

Great tips J ! I will try that next time as I am sick of trying to force down lumpy, cardboardy, congealed...gloop

HEE HEE that was the perfect emotie for this occasion!

 

[Miscka]

I agree with some of the others...I eat this every morning at work. I microwave a mug of water for 2 mins and then pour it on my instant oatmeal. MUCH better than adding water and then microwaving. I also mix a plain packet with a falovored one for some flavor that isnt TOO sweet. Yum!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/10/2007 1:28:20 PM
Author: Julianna

Date: 12/10/2007 12:08:10 PM
Author: Lorelei

Great tips J ! I will try that next time as I am sick of trying to force down lumpy, cardboardy, congealed...gloop

HEE HEE that was the perfect emotie for this occasion!

 

[lyra]

My husband is an oatmeal snob. He buys obscure authentic brands. He always cooks it on the stovetop, never in the microwave. He''s lactose intolerant, so he uses water. I prefer 50/50 myself. Oh, and apparently the most important part is leaving the sticky pot for me to clean even though I never ate any.

He also only uses a wooden spoon to stir it. He eats his plain. I prefer a tiny bit of brown sugar, milk and butter. The butter part is my family tradition though.

 

[Mara]

Dr Z says:

I don''t use quick or instant oatmeal - I''ve heard they''re less good (as Mara mentioned) for you since the oats are treated with heat to make them cook quicker.

....

Which is something I have read as well but then you mention that you microwave them. So isn''t that treating them with heat to kill all the good ingredients, if you subscribe to that train of thought?

Personally I don''t subscribe...because I have read mixed reviews on instant vs regular by actual nutritionists and if it''s something they can''t agree on, I can only go from what my body tells me which is that I am getting the nutrients and the filling aspect so a low-sugar high-protein instant fits the bill for me.

But anyway, just thought it was funny that you wrote that you don''t use instant because it isn''t as good for you but then your post is how to microwave the regular...hehe.

For those who pour super boiling hot water into their oatmeal, have you ever tried microwaving it? I have tried it both ways and prefer the puffy, chewy texture of microwaving it (the oats get their fattest in the microwave from what I can tell)...though iwanna you might not like thick chewy, so you might like to microwave the water alone then mix.

 

[zoebartlett]

So how much do you make? I usually make two packets of the lower sugar Quaker instant stuff (apples and cinnamon, maple and brown sugar or plain). One packet doesn''t fill me up but two packets and a glass of water or a cup of tea is just right. I love mixing craisins in my oatmeal, especially if the craisins get a little plump as they heat up. Yum! I don''t like my oatmeal too runny -- thicker is better.

 

[Octavia]

Date: 12/10/2007 4:25:39 PM
Author: Mara

For those who pour super boiling hot water into their oatmeal, have you ever tried microwaving it? I have tried it both ways and prefer the puffy, chewy texture of microwaving it (the oats get their fattest in the microwave from what I can tell)...though iwanna you might not like thick chewy, so you might like to microwave the water alone then mix.

I do both. I usually use quick oats and I'll cook them in the pan if both BF and I are eating. But if it's just me and I don't feel like having to wash a pan, I boil water, pour it on the oats, stir them up pretty well, and microwave for ~30 seconds. It helps plumps them up, but it's not long enough for them to get to that growing-foamy-blob-taking-over-the-whole-microwave stage.

I then add either a dash of brown sugar or a bit of maple syrup as sweetener. It might be less good for me that way, but I don't like plain oatmeal.

ETA: IMO, oatmeal has to be eaten almost immediately. If you let it sit for too long, it will turn into sticky congealed gloop regardless of how well it was cooked. Blech.

 

[HappyAnniversary]

Well, I never make oatmeal in the microwave--so no hints there. But I thought I''d share what you can do with any left over oatmeal--this is what my mom would do--shape it into a loaf, refrigerate it overnight and in the morning cut it into slices and fry it in a pan. We''d butter it, drizzle maple syrup, and yummmm we''d eat it. It still sounds good to me. Any takers?

 

[Sabine]

I''m an avid instant oatmeal eater. I''ve found that both the quick oats and instant oats do much better in the microwave than the old-fashioned. So if you want the old fashioned, I''d think heating the water and then adding it to the oats would be best.

 

[Julianna]

For those who pour super boiling hot water into their oatmeal, have you ever tried microwaving it? I have tried it both ways and prefer the puffy, chewy texture of microwaving it (the oats get their fattest in the microwave from what I can tell)...though iwanna you might not like thick chewy, so you might like to microwave the water alone then mix.

Yes I have, which was the whole point of my "don''t microwave it" post.

I have tried oatmeal fifty ways from Sunday, and have discerned that the best way to eat oatmeal is to have my Grandma make it.

In absence of Grandma (or "gramo" as we like to call her), it''ll have to be microwavey water.

 

[Linda W]

Gypsy,

I cook mine exactly the way you do. Cooking it with milk, makes it taste sooooooooooo much better. My hubby, myself and grand-kids love it that way. When they stay over night with us, they always request it.

Linda

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 12/10/2007 10:05:45 PM
Author: Linda W
Gypsy,


I cook mine exactly the way you do. Cooking it with milk, makes it taste sooooooooooo much better. My hubby, myself and grand-kids love it that way. When they stay over night with us, they always request it.

Linda

HAH! It''s great to hear I''m not the only one who does it this way! It does taste AWESOME this way. I''ve always wondered why more people don''t do it.

Our cafeteria at work also makes decent oatmeal every morning, they use steel cut and cook it till it blooms-- they cook it in water, but if I add a LITTLE bit of half and half and some brown sugar it''s decent enough. Not NEARLY as good as home made.

 

[Linda W]

Gypsy

My mom always cooked it this way, for my brother, myself and my dad.

Linda P.S. She always used whole milk though, when we were growing up. It was realllly yummy then.

 

[aljdewey]

Iwanna, it seems your problem is that it's too chewy....as in not creamy enough, right?

I've cooked the old-fashioned oats on the stovetop and the microwave, and I find the key to getting it "not chewy" is to soak the oats with the liquid for a few minutes first.

Then, it doesn't seem to matter if it's stovetop or microwave; the oat has absorbed the liquid and becomes creamier. I also think it helps to limit "runover" in the microwave.

Add one part oats to two parts liquid (milk, water, combo, whatever your pleasure) and let it sit for 2-3 minutes; THEN cook.

I personally find that works for me, because I add sugar-free maple syrup, splenda, and milk to mine when it's done. If you don't like the add-ins and the oatmeal comes too thick to begin with, increase the liquid until you're happy with the consistency (2.5 parts to 1, 3 parts to 1, etc)