Oat Cuisine: 9 Uses for Oatmeal

Baby, it’s cold outside! January is National Oatmeal month for a reason. Oatmeal is full of minerals and fiber, providing healthy, slow-burning carbohydrates that, as our mothers used to tell us, “stick to your ribs.” Here are nine ways to use this tasty, nutritious grain to boost your morale in cold weather. (And just in case you were looking for an adjective to describe them all, that word would be “avenaceous”—relating to or like oats.)

1. Eat it for breakfast.

ourgrandmotherskitchens.com

In a bowl. With lowfat milk and just a splash of honey or maple syrup. If you haven’t had oatmeal in the morning lately, try it again the next time the temperature outside dips. I recommend old-fashioned oats. The steel-cut variety take too long to cook, and instant oats don’t have the nubby texture of standard oats. Put half a cup of oats in a pan with a cup of water and a little salt, bring the mixture to a boil, and cook (stirring) until the oatmeal is the right texture (about 2 minutes for me). Pour the oats in a bowl, add a little milk and less sweetener, and dig in.

2. Make your own granola.

ourgrandmotherskitchens.com

You’ll save money over store-bought mixtures, and you’ll know what goes into it. My favorite maple-pecan granola happily accompanies plain yogurt, fruit, or ice cream. It also makes a great snack all by itself. Get the recipe.

3. Glob it on your face.

beautyandtips.com

Everyone’s face needs a bit of extra care in winter. Soothe your skin with a homemade mask. Oatmeal exfoliates your skin beautifully; it is also gentle to apply. Get the recipe.

4. Try a savory side dish.

quakeroats.com

Think of oatmeal as American couscous. It IS a grain, after all. Quaker recommends this "three-pepper oat pilaf."

5. Bake a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies.

ourgrandmotherskitchens.com

Plump and chewy, these were everybody's grandmother's favorite cookies for a reason. They're hearty yet sweet, about as perfect as a cookie can be. Get the recipe.

6. Add toasted oats to salad.

delish.com

The oats add crunch and nutrients to just about any green salad. Here's one recipe.

7. Knead up some loaves of oatmeal bread.

ourgrandmotherskitchens.com

Nothing smells better than a kitchen in which bread is baking. And nothing tastes better than fresh bread straight from the oven. Get the recipe.

8. Put oats in meatloaf instead of breadcrumbs

ourgrandmotherskitchens.com

Comfort food meets comfort food when oatmeal is added to meatloaf. The end result is more nutritious and more filling than traditional meatloaf. Get the recipe.

9. Make a simple fruit crumble.

wwlp.com

This classic dessert is fruitier, easier, and lighter than a crisp.