life is like that you know. Add nothing and it’s plain. Stir too much and it’s mush. Let it set too long and you can patch pot holes in the road because it’s character is set in it’s ways.
How can one have a Gourmet oatmeal? I’m glad you asked. I took pictures. The grandkids line up for this (all but one), and yes, like life there are some added ingredients that will take more time. So, in the spirit of this harvest time lets just say your gourmet oatmeal will be a fruitful endeavor.
While I put some water on the burner with a little salt in it, I diced up an apple to simmer for awhile before adding the oatmeal. Sometimes I dice up dry fruit (apricot, fig, apple, throw in blueberries and so on) and simmer a little longer. I’m not into prunes at this stage). Here’s my ingredient list in picture form.
It might look like granola. About that…I like to use our home made granola which is mostly baked Old Fashioned rolled oats with pecans, sliced almonds, maple syrup and a bit of cinnamon. When it’s not available just use the oats and add the nuts and whatever else you find around the pantry to throw in (within reason). We are talking Gourmet oatmeal which like life takes time to add those ingredients that make it special and worth living, ur.. eating. I believe there is definitely overlap here. So yes, add a few touches of love throughout (and I sound like a movie).
The real question is “Do you live a Gourmet Life?” It’s very possible that most of us struggle with taking the time for Gourmet anything. We live in a generic age with fast food, fast (and shallow-mushy) relationships, political and advertising sound bytes, instant foods and very expensive pills to combat the eventual side effects.
Make Gourmet Oatmeal sometime. It will take a little more time. Think about the ingredients of having a Gourmet Life while you do it. Think about these four areas: Mentally (a sound logical thinking mind), physically(Am I in good shape for my age?), socially (How am I at building relationships lately with no excuses) and spiritually (Do I have and am I growing in a relationship with God?).
I cannot resist this conclusion: It will take time but It Will Be very rewarding and Fruitful!
Addition: In the comments section Kim Smyth from Words on a Page added a very good oatmeal recipe for baked oatmeal. I finally tried it this morning and it is definitely worth passing on.
I put the almond slices and apple chunks in it, and blueberries on top. I might double the oatmeal part next time just so it will last longer…thanks Kim. Hmm now I’m wondering how peach slices would do on top..
Gary
garyfultz 
I love the personal application on this, Gary. So true. Meanwhile, you’ve made me hungry. By the way, those potholes surely can be filled with some oatmeal I have made in the past. Excellent read. God’s grip – Alan
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Thanks Alan, I think I made some that would fix a flat tire if you could insert it.
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May we all leave the McDonald’s breakfast behind most days, and enjoy the leisurely joy of a gourmet breakfast. š
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amen, I like that prayer kathy
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Great idea and love the comparison to life!!
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Thanks Jeff, Who would have thought…Then I have to answer my wifes question “What kind of breakfast cereal am I?”
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Nice post, I used to eat steel-cut oats cooked in the oven with blueberries and cream, because it didn’t taste slimy like regular oatmeal. By the way, if I were a bowl of cereal, I’d probably be Cocoa Puffs, lol. (Cause I’m cuckoo) š
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Cuckoo Huh? Oh funny Kim, Yes, I like the blueberries and cream idea.
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I think the recipe is still on my blog somewhere, I can look it up and send it to you, itās fabulous š
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I would gladly take a recipe like that Kim.. You could share a link to your blog in this comments section for others as well. Thanks
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INGREDIENTS
3/4 cup steel cut oatmeal
Ā½ cup (60 g) almonds (sliced, untoasted are great) or walnuts halves, toasted and chopped
1 teaspoon baking powder
1Ā½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, optional, I omit
Ā½ teaspoon fine sea salt or kosher salt
Ā¾ to 1 Ā½ cups (90 to 185 g) blueberries, optionalāI like using 1 peeled, sliced apple
2 cups (475 ml) milk, 2% or whole
1/4 to 1/3 cup (80 ml) maple syrup, I find 1/4 cup to be sweet enough
1 large egg
3 tablespoons (45 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS
See notes if you are refrigerating this overnight. Otherwise, preheat the oven to 375ĀŗF. In an 8- or 9-inch baking pan, mix together the oats, the nuts, baking powder, cinnamon, if using, and salt. Place the sliced apples or berries on top.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, maple syrup, egg, butter, and vanilla. Pour the milk mixture over the oat mixture, and shake the pan to distribute.
Transfer pan to the oven and bake for 55 to 60 minutes (Note: Several commenters have had issues with browning too quickly, so I advise checking after 30 minutes, and if it looks as though it is browning quickly, turn oven down to 350 and check periodically for doneness), or until the top is golden and the oat mixture has set. Remove from the oven, and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
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Thanks Kim, I will try this. I think I even have some steel cut oatmeal in the pantry.
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Oh good! Tell me how you like it, itās not mine-I got it off Pinterest from Alexandriaās Kitchen, but when I ate the Paleo way, it was a staple. It comes out more like a dessert than a breakfast food, very addicting and even good cold!!
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I will do that, Thanks
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OK Kim, I found the perfect morning to try the baked oatmeal recipe. It’s really good as you said it would be. I added a picture of the finished hot out of the oven meal and a link to your blog at the bottom of this blog. People are still looking up this blog so hopefully it will be fun for some others as well. thanks again.
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You are so welcome and thanks for sharing! Iām so glad you enjoyed it!
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Thanks, Gary. I ate one of your pictures. I couldn’t wait to cook it!
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Man G.W. I should warn about possible side effects like those ads on TV
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That seriously looks yummy. It was hard to focus on the practical application of your post because of that. š
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It is seriously good Stephanie (for being “oatmeal”). I did have fun with the application part as I was eating and typing and taking another picture, Then dumb stuff comes to me which I have to proof read so it’s not in there.. My wife thinks I have to much fun with the pictures.
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Yum!
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Gourmet doesn’t have to be complicated. You made the idea of leading a more fulfilling life easy to do (with commitment).
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So true, A little intentional forethought and a little extra time and material…Like everything in life, from marriage to a career, to cooking gourmet for the grandkids.
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I just got up. Enjoying my cup of coffee as I stumbled in your post . You have not only opened my appetite but I also have this desire to try out your recipe . Yum !
An your recipe for a gourmet
life is the icing on the cake . So true Gary my friend . Thank you
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That post is better with coffee Crissy, thanks. Yes, even the lowly oatmeal breakfast can be rich enough for royalty…which we are.
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Amen Gary š
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Sorry for typos . Guess I should have put in my reading glasses š
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Perfect analogy, Gary! I am always adding stuff to my oatmeal – it HAS to be interesting! As a teacher I was always “adding” different (weird?) things to my lesson plans to keep them interesting. I figured if I wasn’t having fun, the kids wouldn’t be, either, and if they weren’t having fun, they won’t want to do it. The up side – most kids loved my classes. The down side – I’m not the most organized person on the block.
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Oh yes, you have the kids pegged. Ironically and actually “not fair” being creative and being organized are usually at odds with each other on personality types. Sigh…
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The Gourmet Life is wow!
Thank you for the great insights and things I could reflect upon. š
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Exactly, wow, why settle for less?
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