Ever weekend for several years, T. & I have been making this oatmeal.  A few months ago, we actually settled it down to weights, because it was getting kinda variable in size.It’s not really a recipe, more of a formula, so I’m offering it here free.

2 oz. Old-fashioned rolled oats

1.5 oz. Bob’s Red Mill Seven Grain Hot Cereal (or 5- or 10-grain, but I prefer the 7 grain)

1 oz. raisins

1.75 cups water

Microwave in a really big bowl (Ours is 3 qt.) for  4 minutes 50 seconds, then let sit for at least 4 minutes.

Stir in about 1-2 oz. milk (in my bowl, enough so there’s a solid layer of milk over the oats)

Microwave for another 3.4-5 minutes, depending on the ambient moisture and your texture desires.

Serve with butter, brown sugar/maple syrup, and/or walnuts to taste.

(we do about 1/2 tsp butter, 1 TBS brown sugar, and a small handful of walnuts)

Variation One

Cut the raisins down to 1/2 an oz. or eliminate; dice one apple and toss in with the water.  Stir, microwave, continue.

(Add 1 tsp salt if you want)

Variation Two

Cook down two slices of thick-sliced bacon (we use jowl bacon) until your preferred texture.

Cut down or eliminate milk; add a TBS of the bacon fat and water to texture at the milk point.

Variation Three

Combine variations one and two; skip lunch.