what to eat Wednesday-Breakfast in Bed 2

Recipe #2 from my Breakfast in Bed experiment

Our family has deemed this one a keeper. Now pay attention. If you are used to eating the kind of oatmeal that you take out of a packet and put in the microwave- this will taste different. But please try it. Our family has had this 3 times since last Monday when I checked out the cookbook. I love all the fruit in this. I don't taste the bananas at all. I think they just blend in with the milk and oatmeal giving it added creaminess. The nectarine and apple are just the right amount of sweetness. I think that it could use a few more raisins. Now after making it three times, I don't think the family has an overwhelming urge to pour on the brown sugar.

The first go at making this was an early morning. As I measured out the salt, I remember thinking, "Hmmm -this sure seems like a lot of salt." I forged ahead, measuring everything else and chopping and slowly cooking. I went to serve it and tasted it before everyone else. I put the bowls on the table, then immediately turned around to grab the brown sugar. Oh. My. Salt! Jay took a bite and said, "Hmm it tastes kind of like pie crust. Kind of good, but kind of salty." I took another look at the recipe to double check that salt. I didn't just double the salt. I tripled the salt! Not sure why I read it wrong. I added a titch of brown sugar to every ones bowls to counteract the salt lick I had just given them for breakfast. Jay mentioned, "So any heart healthy benefits this oatmeal had, have just been negated by all the sodium you gave us."

So a second time I went after it. I read, double checked and cooked the oatmeal. Good but still a little too salty.

So yesterday- I gave it another go. This time I decreased the salt by 1/4 tsp, making it 1/8 of a teaspoon. Ahhh just right. Adjust accordingly to your likeness.






Rise and Shine Oatmeal

2 cups old-fashioned oats

4 cups milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 fresh ripe nectarine, peeled and chopped


1 apple, peeled and chopped


1 banana, peeled and chopped


1/4 cup raisins


In a large saucepan, combine oats, milk, salt, nectarine, apple, banana, and raisins; let soak for several minutes. Simmer slowly over low heat, stirring frequently. Cook until mixture becomes thickened, about 10 minutes. Serve warm in individual bowls.