Orkmeal

When it's cold outside, I'm in the mood for oatmeal at breakfast. Or, as my son called it when he was a toddler, "orkmeal." If you have the quick-cooking kind of rolled oats, a bowl of it cooks in 2 minutes in the microwave, making it just as easy as the instant stuff, and healthier, too.

While at my favorite specialty foods grocery store, I spotted McCann's Irish Oatmeal in a quick-cook variety. Nothing you have to stew for 30 minutes. So I succumbed and bought a box, and made my first bowl this morning. Half a cup of oats, 1 cup cold water, pinch of salt, microwave on high for 2 minutes. Done. I added some milk, cinnamon, butter, a wee bit of brown sugar, and Splenda. Well, I must admit, I don't see what all the fuss is about regarding "Irish" oatmeal. If anything, it's slimier than Quaker brand quick-cooking oatmeal. It seemed to really gel up in the bowl upon stirring, too. So my tip for today is to quit buying instant oatmeal, but don't bother spending the extra money on imported Irish oatmeal. Just good ol' QUaker Quick-Cooking Oats in the round red and blue box is fine with me. Unless I wake up in Ireland one morning... then I'm sure the Irish oatmeal would taste spectacular.