Oatmeal: Pumpkin

P is for Pumpkin
Several bloggers and a semi-family email food newsletter promote pumpkin in oatmeal. I have my own receipe:
1/2 cup quick oats
1/3 can pure pumpkin (split the rest into two other containers for later)
1 cup water
salt to taste
sweetener to taste
shakes of cinnamon
shakes of ginger
one shake of cloves
half a shake of nutmeg (I'm anti nutmeg)
microwave on high 2-3 minutes, add a dash of milk
enjoy

P is for Pumpkin Butter
If there is, say, a canned pumpkin shortage, add pumpkin butter to oatmeal.

P is for Peaches
When pumpkin is hard to find.

Oatmeal: Orange Zest

O is for Orange Zest.
My mother-in-law sent me a few steel-cut oatmeal recipes from Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Recipes for Two: For the Small Slow Cooker. It called for the grated zest of one orange or tangerine and dried fruit. The orange zest gave the oatmeal an added depth that I honestly could not stop eating. It was perfect for a December morning.

Oatmeal: Nuts

N is for Nuts.
Another obvious addition: chopped nuts, any variety and mixture.

N is for Nutella.
I've never tried adding Nutella to my oatmeal, but since Nutella tastes good on almost everything, it must be delicious.

Oatmeal: Milk

M is for Milk.
Obviously. Three choices here: cooked with milk, cooked with water and topped with milk (cereal style) or cooked with milk and topped with milk. More choices: cow's milk, almond milk, soy milk, rice milk or coconut milk.

M is for Molasses
Just don't add too much, it's nasty.

M is for Maple Syrup.
Everyone knows maple syrup goes well in oatmeal.

M is for Macadamia nuts.
Health-wise, these are possibly the worst nuts, taste-wise, one word: yum. Exotic reputation helps.

Oatmeal: Lychee

L is for Lychee.
For an Asian-inspired museli mix sliced lychees, a handful of old-fashioned oatmeal, some dried goji berries, a dash of ground ginger, and chopped peanuts or cashews (or both). Top with soy milk.

Oatmeal: Kiwi

K is for Kiwi.
Make muesli: take some oatmeal, add some sliced kiwi, a touch of honey, enough milk for dry cereal, and handful of chopped dried fruit and chopped nuts. Finish with a dollop of yogurt. Enjoy.

Oatmeal: Jam

J is for Jam.
My son has the VTech Alphabet Train, so at least once a day I hear something similar to: J is for Jam. J ... J ... J. Turn the block over to find the letter ... J.

Jam, jelly, preserves, confiture: it's all fruity sugar. Most flavors work well, except the jalapeno flavored jars we have here in Texas.

Oatmeal: Ice Cream, Irish Cream

I is for Ice Cream.
Ice cream and oatmeal don't seem like they would compliment each other, but they are actually good friends. Witness Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches. Ice cream can top oatmeal or vice versa. Or, oatmeal can be an ice cream flavor.

I is for Irish Cream.
On Ireland's West Coast, in Killarney, is Crystal Springs Guest House. It's a welcoming bed and breakfast with the traditional Irish breakfast. In addition to blood sausage, guests may order oatmeal topped with brown sugar and Bailey's Irish Cream. Biggest bowl of oatmeal (porridge) I've ever seen. And I ate the whole thing.

Oatmeal: Honey

H is for honey.
All oatmeal needs for a touch of sweetness is honey. My nutritionist told me it's hard to add too much honey. She didn't realize the extent of my sweet tooth. I buy it every month. Local honey is supposed to help with allergies. It doesn't work for me but I still search the grocery store shelves for honey with the yellow local sticker.

Oatmeal: Ground Graham Crackers

G is for ground graham crackers.
A few weeks ago I had lunch at Ruggles Green and ordered the butternut squash side. It was pureed with cream and topped with ground graham crackers. Delicious--the graham crackers add the right amount of vanilla and childhood nostalgia. It would work on oatmeal too.

G is for ground ginger.
Just a touch, fresh ginger wouldn't be as good. Ginger in oatmeal is also good with molasses, cinnamon and a touch of ground clove. That makes it gingerbread oatmeal.

G is for Gingersnaps.
Cookies for breakfast. Not healthy but always fun.

Oatmeal: Figs

F is for Figs.
Why is it about Fig Newtons that make them taste so good? Why shouldn't I mix figs or fig preserves into my oatmeal?

F is for Flax Seed.
Adding ground flax seed to oatmeal increases the health benefits.

Oatmeal: Eggnog

E is for Eggnog.
Eggnog should make a good milk substitute in oatmeal. Granted, I've never had real eggnog and have only added the soy eggnog to oatmeal, but how bad can it be? It's creamy and has cinnamon and nutmeg.

E is for Eggs.
Or rather, Eggs in baked oatmeal.

Oatmeal: Dates

D is for dates.
All I can think of for D are dates.
Dates do not excite me. They don't repulse me either. They are just dates.