How can I learn to like oatmeal?

[Anonymous]

I use regular Quaker oats (though this thread has me convinced to try steel cut next) and I cook them much longer than the box says. Like, probably about 10 minutes. I also use less water. So for 1/2 cup dry oats, I use about 1/2 cup water. This gets them nice and thick. Halfway through I add a splash of almond milk to thin them out and make them a little creamier. Today I added a quarter of a chopped apple as they were cooking, some cinnamon, 2 tsp of brown sugar, and when they were done, a splash of half and half. It was sort of like apple pie or crumble. Really yummy!

[Anonymous]

I can choke down steel cut oats with lots of nuts and berries and a spoonful of honey. DH eats it gleefully every morning. Blah.

[Anonymous]

OP I am 100% on board with you. Could not eat oatmeal for years. My aunt finally advised me to undercook it (3 min is plenty) and then add a tbsp or so of uncooked oats on top. Much more palatable.

[Anonymous]

Another one for Bob's Red Mill; I buy the organic whole rolled (not quick cooking) at Whole Foods.

I put it in a bowl, add water (not too much!) and microwave for ONE minute--that way it doesn't get mushy. Then brown sugar and milk. It's not goopy-stuck-together.

[Anonymous]

do you like eggs, op? seriously, why bother eating what you don't like?? you can get all the nutrients in oatmeal fom other sources.

[Anonymous]

Have you seen oatmeal pancakes? My son LOVES these. They are essentially oatmeal in pancake form (meaning, they don't taste like pancakes, they taste like oatmeal). So, it's a way to eat oatmeal that's not mushy.

http://www.superhealthykids.com/healthy-kids-recipes/super-duper-oatmeal-pancakes-50-giveaway-included.php

I skip the dried apricots because I hate them (although I guess I could try the cranberries); and drizzle a tiny bit of maple syrup instead of honey on top. Also, these are pretty bland, so I add cinnamon, and occasionally a bit of vanilla for more flavor. They keep well for leftovers for the next few days.

[Anonymous]

Not sure if this helps at all but have you tried grape nuts heated up? Pour them in a bowl with milk (or almond milk) and microwave for 1.5-2 minutes until they are warm and still kind of crunchy. I add honey but you can really add anything you add to oatmeal. SO good and good for you!

[Anonymous]

I can't believe no one has mentioned this yet. SALT. It's not the devil. A little pinch makes a world of difference. Especially with sweet breakfast foods. I love a little savory in the morning. Gets my heart pumping.

[Anonymous]

This morning I made some oatmeal with Scottish Porridge oats. 1/2 cup oats, boiled in 1/2 cup water til soft, then I added almond milk to get them a lite creamier and boiled some more stirring frequently. Added a little salt toward the end and 2 tsp brown sugar and some shredded coconut. Dumped in the bowl and poured a little half and half around them. Now THAT was a yummy bowl of oatmeal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try an oatmeal smoothie

.5 c oatmeal
Ripe banana
1 c frozen blueberries
.5 c milk
2 TB peanut butter
Dash of vanilla
Ice and water
Blend in blender

Delicious and refreshing

That sounds good!

[Anonymous]

I think you have to figure out why you don't like it.
I can't stand oatmeal but make it for the DH and DS. It's so tasteless and slimey. I don't like to eat sugary stuff so I don't add sugar to anything. Once a while, I'll add honey and sometimes maple syrup cause if i'm going to eat sugar, I might as well make it taste good for by buds.

Then, I figure out, I would cook it with broth-yep. Going opposite of what most people do. I love it salty with broth! I can either over cook or undercook, doesn't matter to me. Now I have a porridge. My son loves it! DH not so much.

You can also try buckwheat cereal/cream of buckwheat. It's almost like coucous.

[Anonymous]

I take the regular, non- quick, oatmeal and put it in a bowl with barely enough water to make it moist (and that's not much). I microwave for a minute. Pull out and put cinnamon, walnuts and raisins (you could also but sugar, honey, etc all or none). It's not goopy porridge, but rather chunky and I can chew it. It's all about adjusting the ratio to get a texture you like