How to Make Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a porridge made from ground oats. It was considered to be a staple diet of peasants. However, as people started knowing about its health benefits, many started inculcating it in their daily diet. It is said to be best for breakfast, as it contains all the essential nutrients that the body requires for the day.

It is said that eating oats for breakfast diminishes the urge to eat between meals too. However, due to time constraints, most people opt for the ready-to-eat variety, which is not actually very healthy.

This is because packaged instant oats contains lot of additives to make the texture, flavor, and appearance better. Hence, it is always good to learn to prepare it at home. It is interesting to know that the porridge preparation method is easy, and it can be done very quickly.

There are many different ways of making oatmeal, and you can choose any, according

If you want to prepare the quickest and the simplest recipe, here is the way to prepare it.

Ingredients

• Quick cooking rolled oats, 12 ounces
• Brown sugar, ¼ cup
• Salt, ½ teaspoon
• Water, 3 cups (cold)

Preparation

1. In a saucepan, take water, and allow it to boil on a high to medium flame.
2. When it begins to boil, stir in the oats and allow it cook for 1-2 minutes. Continue stirring the oats till it reaches the consistency that you want.
3. Transfer it into a serving bowl, and allow it to stand for a few minutes by covering it with a lid.
4. Add brown sugar and salt, and serve.

Adding milk not only make the oats tastier, but will also increase its nutritional value.

Ingredients

• Oats, 4 ounces
• Milk, 1½ cup (any type)
• Water, 4 ounces (cold)
• Brown sugar, 1 teaspoon
• Water, 4 ounces (warm)

Preparation

1. In a medium-sized bowl, take warm water and combine it with milk. Add brown sugar and mix till it is fully dissolved and set aside.
2. In a medium-sized saucepan, take cold water along with oats and cook on a medium to high heat. Allow the oatmeal to boil; however, make sure that you stir it continuously.

3. When it is completely cooked, add milk and sugar into it and cook on low heat for five minutes.
4. Remove from heat and transfer into a bowl before serving.

Though good for health, the thought of eating plain oats or that made with milk will not be a very tasty prospect for some people. However, there are various ways in which you can make it interesting, even while retaining its nutritional value by adding fresh fruits including bananas, strawberries, peaches, apples, blueberries, etc.

You can also include applesauce, peanut butter, honey, a teaspoon of vanilla, jelly, jam, etc. Make use of toppings like raisins, cereals, caramel syrup, fresh berries, nuts, flaxseed, chocolate chips, cinnamon, shredded coconut, etc., to make the dish more delicious.

Apart from the regular oatmeal, it is also a good idea to use it to make nutrition bars. You can prepare loads of them and carry them to work as it is a good and healthy snack.

Ingredients
• Oat bran, 2 ounces
• Soya milk, 7 tablespoons
• Honey, 1 tablespoon
• Whole bran, 8 ounces
• Raisins, 1 ounce
• Sunflower oil, 3 tablespoons
• Honey, 3 teaspoons
• Dark brown sugar, 2 ounces
• Apricots, 3 ounces (dried)

Preparation

1. Combine the oat bran, whole oats, and dried fruits in a mixing bowl and set aside.
2. In another bowl, take 1 ounce of brown sugar, 4 ounces of honey, 3 tablespoons of oil, and 4 tablespoons of soya milk and mix till all the ingredients are fully combined.

3. Put in the oats mixture into this bowl, and finally add one tablespoon of honey, 1 ounce brown sugar and 3 tablespoons of soya milk. Stir till it is thoroughly mixed.
4. Take a brownie tin and slightly grease it with oil.

5. Spread the oatmeal mixture into the tin evenly, and bake in the oven at the temperature of 190°F for 15-20 minutes.
6. Allow it to cool for at least 10 minutes, and then cut it in the shape of bars and have them during snack time.

The most important thing about oatmeal is that it's a very good source of soluble and insoluble fiber. While the insoluble fiber prevents constipation by adding bulk to the stools, the soluble fiber helps in eliminating the bad cholesterol from the body and retaining the good one.

It is also good for diabetic patients because the soluble fiber slows down the digestion process of starch, which is said to be responsible for the increase in blood sugar level. Regular consumption is also said to prevent heart related diseases, while the phytochemicals in them has the ability to prevent as well as fight cancer.

Now that you know the numerous health benefits that oatmeal provides, I hope that you make it a part of your daily diet. Try some of these methods and enjoy the delicious taste, while maintaining good health at the same time.