For some reason I have two tubes of Quaker Quick Oats in my pantry, even though I don’t know how they got there. I though about making some oatmeal raisin cookies (maybe as a weekend project.) But since its still freezing outside, I might as well learn how to make hot oatmeal in the microwave.  So starting with the basic recipe listed on the back of the tube, here is what I came up with.

• 1/2 cup Quaker Quick Oats
• 1 cup whole milk (Sheeder’s of course)
• pinch of kosher salt
• 1 TB of packed light brown sugar
• dash of cinnamon
• less then a 1/4 cup of raisins

Add the first three ingredients to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave this mixture for 2 mins on high, then stir the mixture. Return it to the microwave and cook for another 1 min of high, which should result in a thick oatmeal mixture. Now that the oatmeal is fully cooked, stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and raisins. Enjoy.

Side Notes:

• I’ve tried using a couple of different sweeteners in the oatmeal (white sugar, light brown sugar and clove honey.) Its really a toss up between the light brown sugar and the honey, both are great to sweeten the oatmeal. While the white sugar is worthless in this application.
• You can use water for the cooking liquid, but I think that milk adds more of a creaminess to the hot oatmeal that you just can’t get with water. Kind of like making hot cocoa with milk instead of water.
• Why would you buy one of those Quaker Instant Oatmeal – Raisins & Spice packets with artificial color/flavoring, when you can make the same thing yourself with all-natural ingredients?  Is 3 minutes to long to wait for hot natural oatmeal verse 90 seconds for a packet of instant artificial oatmeal?
• I didn’t take any pictures for now, but as soon as a make it again. I’ll make sure to post up some pics.