Family Recipes: Sweet & Savory Oatmeal

Who didn't grow up on oatmeal? When I was a child, oat were a staple in our house. They could be prepared, becoming oatmeal, but we also sometimes ate them dry (do not ask me why; maybe we were horses in our past lives). They were delicious, but they were more than that. Oatmeal is also a superfood, though I wouldn't realize this until I became a fully fledged adult.

With high levels of beta-glucan soluble fiber, oat flakes help lower cholesterol (the bad kind) and protect kids' hearts. But oats will also help stabilize blood sugar level, helping to keep highs and lows at bay. For our family, the best thing about oatmeal is that it's a complex carbohydrate. This means kids will burn up the calories they gain from oats slowly, resulting in them being more alert and better behaved at school or at home. This, combined with how easy this simple recipe is to prepare, make this the perfect breakfast food.

So before reaching for the cereal every morning, consider throwing this sweet and savory oatmeal together.

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup oats
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ cup fresh blueberries (or any berry you enjoy)
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• maple syrup

Method

1. Put the water and the oats into a medium-sized pot, add the salt, and bring to a boil. As soon as boiling occurs reduce heat to low. Add the cinnamon and nutmeg, stirring well. Simmer this mixture, leaving it uncovered, until the oatmeal is soft. Stir occasionally so the oats don't all stick together.
2. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Mix in the walnuts. You can really use any nut you like, substitute with a seed of your choice, or even skip this step altogether. You might also choose to use granola instead.
3. Divide the oatmeal into serving dishes. Top with blueberries (or another fruit; I like blueberries and raspberries) and drizzle with maple syrup. Serve immediately.

Oatmeal is incredibly versatile, so get creative. You might want to add cold milk, leave out the berries, use a different syrup, or use honey or brown sugar instead. The options are limited only by your imagination and personal tastes.