Spicy Morning Oatmeal

I make oatmeal for Laura nearly every morning. She has borderline high cholesterol (it runs in her family), so this is one of my many schemes to try to keep her alive.

But oatmeal can get incredibly boring, especially if you eat it every day. Heck, it's boring for me and I don't even have to eat it. That's why every so often I'll add something new to her oatmeal, or introduce some oatmeal variation to keep things interesting.

This time, though, I had the evil idea of messing with her head, so I decided to make her oatmeal spicy.

She loved it. Heh. The joke was on me.

Not only does this oatmeal variation mess with your significant other's head--a lofty goal in and of itself--it also cures boredom. For both of you. And there's an extra benefit: It clears your sinuses too! Highly recommended during spring allergy season or as a cold remedy at any time of year.

I hope you enjoy this unusual breakfast variation as much as we did.

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Spicy Morning Oatmeal

Ingredients:
1 cup water
1 Tablespoon raisins (optional)
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
assorted other toppings: brown sugar, honey, nuts, fruit, etc.

Directions:
1) Bring water (and optional raisins) to a boil. Add oats, reduce heat, stir, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 4 minutes, or until the oats are done to your liking.

2) Put oatmeal in a bowl, combine with cayenne pepper, stir well, add toppings of your choice and place in front of your unwitting significant other.

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9 comments:

Melissa said...

Dan. Tsk tsk. You need (neeeeeed) to be making baked oatmeal for Laura. I don't know if you saw my post on it. It's about 4 posts down now. I've been making it for 11 weeks now and practically screaming at everyone I can scream at to make it, make it now, make it forever. I am the baked oatmeal evangelist.

I make a batch every Sunday (now with 1/2 cup slivered almonds added to the mix!) and then each morning at work, Steve and I add 1/4-1/3 cup water (this is for a 1/10 serving since it's for the whole week for both of us), a palm full of dried blueberries or cranberries and heat on high for 1 minute.

Absolute nirvana in a bowl. Life-changing and happy-making. Oatmeal has never ever ever ever been so good or less boring. Promise. :)

Stuart Carter said...

Ever made oatmeal in the slow cooker? It is revelatory - smooth, creamy, and tastes like a sinful treat!

Daniel said...

Melissa! You're absolutely right, and thank you for the reminder. I'll get on it. :)

Stuart: No, never have. Share your recipe with us!

DK

Anonymous said...

Dan-

Wouldn't it be easier to cook oatmeal like normal and serve at the table with a bottle of Tabasco? :)

Daniel said...

Yes, but then I'd lose the element of surprise. :)

DK

chacha1 said...

I've been using multiple spices on my oatmeal for years, but I have never tried cayenne! I think with cayenne I might need a few chocolate chips. Semisweet of course.

Eleni said...

I am all for sneaking food surprises onto your other half :) I have very recently joined the "oatmeal" bandwagon (we call it "porridge" over here) and am absolutely going to try this tomorrow!

Joanne said...

A little spice with all that sweet actually sounds awesome! I love the sweet spicy flavor combo.

Anonymous said...

I accidentally thought that was cinnamon instead it was cayenne pepper instead in
my oatmeal. I actually liked it with a slice
of wheat toast spread of avocado.