Old-Fashioned Oatmeal

A simple, elegant breakfast that’s make ahead.

ingredients

Pinch of coarse salt
1 c steel-cut oats (Scottish or Irish)
Sauteed Pears-optional (recipe follows)
Vanilla Cream-optional (recipe follows)
Infused honey-optional (recipe follows)

directions

1
1. Bring 4 c water to a boil in a medium saucepan; add salt. Turn off heat, and stir in oats; cover, and let stand overnight.
2
2. Place pan of soaked oatmeal over medium-low heat; cook, stirring occasionally, until creamy and heated through, 8-10 minutes. Serve hot with desired toppings.

Sauteed Pears

In a large skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium-high heat. Add 3 ripe peeled and cored Bosc pears and 1 tbsp sugar; saute pears until tender and caramelized, about 10 minutes. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Vanilla Cream

Heat 2 c heavy cream with 1 split vanilla bean and scrapings in a small saucepan over very low heat until cream is just bubbling. Remove from heat; let steep about 20 minutes. Discard vanilla pod and serve warm.

Infused Honey

Warm 1 c honey, 4 whole star anise and 4 cinnamon sticks in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, 5-10 minutes. Turn off heat; let steep 30 minutes or overnight. Serve over hot cereal.