Yahoo Lifestyle How To Make the Perfect Pot of Oatmeal, According to a Pennsylvania Bed and Breakfast Manager
Pancakes, scrambled eggs and coffee rank as the most popular things people often order when they go out to eat at a diner or a hotel restaurant. But I'd encourage you not to sleep on the oatmeal. There's something about oatmeal from a good food spot on a slow Sunday that hits different than the bowl you frantically make and quickly scarf down out of necessity on a Wednesday morning.
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Recently when I was staying at a bed and breakfast in Pennsylvania, I was served a transcendent bowl of oatmeal. It was flawlessly creamy with a slightly chewy texture and had a unique cozy flavor that was hard to pinpoint. It tasted like a home away from home. I had to ask the cook what his secret was.
Ricardo is the manager of the Aaron Burr House in New Hope, PA, a property known for its history (this house is where Aaron Burr fled to after he shot Alexander Hamilton!), charm and Ricardo's incredible generosity of spirit. As a one-man show, Ricardo has spent years cooking breakfast for his guests from around the world. His formula to perfect oatmeal is a why-didn't-I-think-of-that game-changer.
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How To Make the Best Oatmeal, According to a Bed and Breakfast Manager
Ricardo's golden ratio for a perfect pot of oatmeal? 1 part oats, 1 part water, 1 part milk. He uses a mix of both water and milk because "too much milk can make the oats too mushy." Oats are a starchy grain and they easily become creamy no matter what. But milk's fat content helps break down the structure of oats, so incorporating milk into your oatmeal-making makes the dish even richer.
Equal parts water and milk as the cooking liquid ensures the grains are fully cooked but not entirely turned to a non-textural bowl of gloop. This method works for many types of oats—be it rolled or old-fashioned.
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To infuse the oats with flavor, Riccardo says that he adds in one whole cinnamon stick and sweetens the oatmeal with white granulated sugar.
You can stop there and eat the delicious bowl of oatmeal as-is, but I'd encourage you to make it your own by adding your favorite toppings. I like a handful of fresh berries and a sprinkle of demerara or brown sugar for a caramel-y flavor and a little bit of crunch. If you like your oatmeal on the creamier side, add a splash of milk or cream or Greek yogurt.
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Other Tips for Leveling Up Your Oatmeal
While it's a deceptively simple and oftentimes seemingly "boring" food (though I will argue against that any day!) small changes can help make a big impact on how you make oatmeal. Here are a few more oatmeal upgrades we love.
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