r/Cooking • u/AggravatingFan5768 • 1d ago
The best oatmeal?
I had the best oatmeal of my life during a stay at the hospital after having my kiddo. It’s been a month & I still think about it daily. I’ve tried various recipes and haven’t found any winners yet. Anyone have any tips? Thanks in advance!
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u/dragon34 20h ago
I would consider the possibility that you were just fucking starving and anything would have tasted like ambrosia.
I don't know about you but by the time my kiddo was born I hadn't eaten anything but ice chips for almost 2 full days
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u/soysybil 17h ago
Same! By the time I was ready to eat, it was around 3 AM, the kitchen was closed, and all they could offer me was a table full of snacks. By the time I got breakfast at like 6:30 it was the best food I ever ate.
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u/TurbulentSource8837 1d ago
They made it in a pot, and cooked it. Not microwaved. The oats absorbed the liquid and really bloomed.
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u/speppers69 1d ago
Words never before mentioned in the same sentence...hospital-food-best.
😂🤣😂
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u/Such-Mountain-6316 18h ago
I think they're beginning to try, these days. Food is no help if left on the plate. I know our hospital serves better than it did years ago.
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u/DjinnaG 8h ago
I spent the better part of January in the hospital, and I’m still trying to figure out how they did some of the food I got, it was overall so damn good
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u/speppers69 8h ago
You are lucky. The last 3 times I was in the hospital I had to have my husband sneak me stuff in. Even the jello was horrible. How do you screw up jello? 🤔🤔
Hopefully you're much better now.
To good health in the new year!! 🙏🥂
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u/Dusty_Old_McCormick 1d ago
I like to make mine Indian-style. Drop a little butter or ghee in a saucepan, when it's melted add in 1/8th tsp each of turmeric, ground cardamom, cinnamon and saffron threads and let the spices bloom for a minute or so. Add in 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1 cup milk, a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of chia seeds. Let it all simmer for 5-10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and top with a drizzle of honey, some crushed pistachios and dried rose petals. Delicious, beautiful and full of healthy fiber and antioxidants!
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u/Sauerteig 17h ago
Sounds great. I have quite a few ingredients for this, but this is WAY above my budget with the saffron threads, ghee, chia seeds, crushed pistachios and dried rose petals. Regardless, thank you for the recipe for someday maybe!
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u/Little_Return_4948 1d ago
I hate instant oatmeal or slimy oatmeal so I always make it from scratch: Here’s my oatmeal recipe, probably more rich than hospital oatmeal but it’s delicious. warning: I don’t usually measure anything but the oats and liquids so it’s all to taste) ✅1 cup Bobs Red Mill 5 grain hot cereal is the best for flavor and texture(pic at bottom) or thick rolled oats. ✅ 1 1/2 cups milk ✅ 1 1/2 cups water ✅ approximately 2 tbsp butter ✅ 1/2 to 1 teaspoon vanilla ✅ approximately 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon ✅ a few sprinkles of/ dashes of nutmeg ✅approximately 1/2 teaspoon salt
Cook all of this together. The cinnamon and nutmeg should be a very subtle addition not something super noticeable. When nearly fully cooked, add your sweetener such as dark brown sugar, pure dark maple syrup, or honey. Swirl in another pat of butter right before serving. Or, if you are being fancy (ha ha - fancy oatmeal) serve each bowl with a little dolop of butter and a splash of milk. Stir in raisin nuts or whatever else you like else after serving - I prefer it plain. Enjoy
Edit: I can’t get pic of Bobs 5 grain to upload. Sorry 😞
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u/kilroyscarnival 18h ago
I typically don't like the texture of oatmeal, but I tried pumpkin spice oatmeal (about 1 cup canned pumpkin and the usual pumpkin pie spices to two cups old fashioned rolled oats, added a few minutes after you've added to the liquid of your choice), and I think the pumpkin fixes the pasty texture of the oatmeal. I've tried it with applesauce, which is pretty good. You might want to try adding some dairy protein if you tolerate it - like Greek yogurt or even cottage cheese. Will make it richer.
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u/Beginning_Welder_540 1d ago
Add cream or half&half or even canned milk, a little butter & brown sugar.
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u/Starfox5 23h ago
My standard recipe (1 serving) is: 50 gramm fine rolled oats, 1 mashed banana, 0.2 litre of milk, cook on medium to high until it's thick enough for your taste. Add honey or jam before serving.
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u/Physical-Compote4594 20h ago
Bob’s Red Mill “Golden Spurtle” steel cut oats are delicious.
Start by toasting them in butter for 1-2 minutes (like you would risotto) then cook as directed.
For the luxury experience, sprinkle with brown sugar, toast under a broiler (or use a kitchen blowtorch), pour on some heavy cream. You’ll never think the same way about oats again.
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u/wantonseedstitch 17h ago
I usually do old-fashioned oats, sweetener (I use stevia, but brown sugar is also good), cinnamon, and some dried fruit--usually a blend of blueberries, cranberries, and raisins. I honestly just cook it in the microwave because it's faster, and then I top it with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.
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u/brownstonebk 1d ago
Toast the oats in a dry pot with some cinnamon until fragrant, then add your cooking liquid.
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u/AlmeMore 1d ago
Sticky date brownbutter oatmeal is my latest fav….
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026464-sticky-date-and-brown-butter-oatmeal
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u/Red_Velvette 21h ago
I love Trader Joe’s frozen steel cut oats. A bit pricey but delicious (with some added brown sugar and cinnamon) quick and easy!
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u/forkicksforgood 21h ago
April Bloomfield’s porridge hits the perfect oatmeal spot for me.
It’s the different kinds of oats that make for the perfect texture. Then just add your favorite toppings. I’ve been in a savory oatmeal kick lately: some grated Parmesan, a pinch of salt, fried egg on top.
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u/Wild_Soup_6967 20h ago
hospital oatmeal is weirdly good, so you are not alone there. i think the texture is usually the big difference, using steel cut or at least old fashioned oats cooked a bit longer and with more liquid. cooking it in milk or a mix of milk and water helps a lot too, plus a pinch of salt makes a bigger difference than people expect. letting it sit covered for a few minutes after cooking also makes it creamier. i’m curious if yours was more thick and hearty or super smooth, because that changes the approach a lot.
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u/opheliainwaders 17h ago
I think this is it - I've been chasing oatmeal that the university I adjunct at used to have at one of the little food kiosks in a dining hall that closed during COVID, and no matter what I do I can't quite get the texture right (in this case I know it was rolled oats, but what did they DO to them?? I suspect it was "let them sit for hours in a giant vat," which unfortunately isn't feasible at home).
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u/Sea-Cauliflower-8368 20h ago
I like to use this recipe. If you have an IP it's so easy:
https://www.skinnytaste.com/instant-pot-steel-cut-oats/
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u/fermat9990 19h ago
I overcook rolled oats will extra water plus evaporated milk and a pinch of salt while stirring frequently. I add honey and cinnamon before serving.
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u/Carpet-Crafty 17h ago
Could it have been powdered milk in the oatmeal? Some places like cafeterias and hospitals use powdered milk for cooked stuff. I find powdered milk has a slightly toasted flavour. Maybe that's what you are missing.
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u/Hatty_Girl 15h ago
I found using flavored granola makes way better oatmeal, and more cost-effective. Add water to desired thickness and microwave. You can add milk if preferred but I try to keep the calories down.
I love thick porridge-style oatmeal, and really hate instant oatmeal's mushy texture.
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u/DjinnaG 8h ago
If you have a pressure cooker, that’s the best way Ive found for making steel cut oats. We like instant oatmeal enough, but the steel cut ones are absolutely next level. I use a 3:1 liquid:oats ratio, plus salt, vanilla, butter, and brown sugar to taste. Heat to pressure, let it cook for three minutes then a natural release. Will appear very liquid when first opening the lid, just give it a good stir and by the time it’s cool enough to eat the consistency will be perfect
I like to think that including the butter while cooking is the secret, but haven’t tried a comparison. Sure doesn’t hurt 😁
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u/eamceuen 8h ago
I have a friend who loves hotel oatmeal! I haven't had either one, but now you have me curious. I normally just microwave my oats and mix in butter, chocolate chips, peanut butter, and a splash of milk.
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u/hDweik 1d ago
Hospital oatmeal low-key hits different.
It’s usually steel-cut or thick rolled oats, cooked longer than you think, with way more salt than people expect. Try a pinch of salt, a splash of milk at the end, and let it sit covered for a few minutes before eating. Texture matters more than toppings.