Recipe Friday: Comforting Oatmeal

When I want a little comfort food, I like it to be healthy, especially when there are unpleasant bugs going around. I want to be careful not to compromise my immune system with sugar; however, comfort often means sweet (at least, a little).

Enter a traditional favorite: oatmeal.

I go heavy on the spices because they’re so good for the immune system, and they also lend a bit of sweetness. And don’t be afraid to throw in the butter. Good food includes plenty of healthy fats: fats are not only good for the body’s systems and your brain, they also carry the flavor.

Kathy’s Comforting Oatmeal

Serves 3 – 4

Ingredients:

4 or 5 hours before, or the night before:

• 2 cups oats (use whatever is on hand: rolled / old fashioned; quick; use only 1/2 cup if using steel cut oats)
• Filtered water
• 2 Tbs kefir or yogurt

When you make it:

• 2 Tbs cinnamon
• ¼ tsp each of powdered spices: nutmeg, cloves, allspice
• 2 Tbs butter
• Several dashes Himalayan or mineral salt
• 1 tsp vanilla

Optional ingredients:

• Fresh or dried fruit, such as raisins, chopped dates, or fresh or frozen peaches
• Sweetener (you may not need this with the fruit), such as pure maple syrup, sucanat, stevia, or coconut palm sugar
• Dairy or non-dairy milk
• Peanut butter (I know – weird – but I tried it once and I like it)

Directions:

• Put the oats into a medium-size saucepan. Add enough water to cover the oats. (You’ll need extra water for steel cut oats: the ratio is 1:4, i.e., if you use ½ cup oats, then 2 cups water.) Add the kefir or yogurt, and stir. Allow to soak 4 or 5 hours, or overnight. (I discuss benefits of soaking grains here.)
• When you are ready to prepare your oatmeal, put the oats on to a low simmer until cooked: 5 minutes for quick oats; 10 minutes for rolled / old fashioned oats; 15-20 minutes for steel cut oats.
• Add the spices, butter, salt, and vanilla.
• Add optional ingredients.
• Stir together and heat it back up.
• Serve hot.

Sometimes I make “Apple Raisin Stuff:” I chop up apples, add a little water and some raisins, and simmer until the apples are soft. I throw in some cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and allspice. I keep it in the ‘fridge or freezer to use in pies or to mix some into my oatmeal.

What do you like to put in your oatmeal?