a post about food

Firstly, homemade angel food cake is so very scrumptious. If your chickens are laying faster than you can eat them like ours are then you should try it (it requires a full dozen whites). Oh and mom, you were so right. It fell to an inch thick last time because it was undercooked.


Secondly, oatmeal is not good. I've tried so many times to like it, because I've always wanted to be the sort of person who liked oatmeal for breakfast. However today I think I've made a discovery that will change all that (not the wanting, but the lack of liking).

Steel-cut oatmeal.

You can probably find it at wherever you shop but I got mine at Whole Foods because I could buy just a little bit from their bulk bins. And man is it tasty, slightly chewy, and it's got a whole lot more omph than regular oats. And surprisingly it's not too expensive.

Steel-Cut Oatmeal with Spiced Apple Topping

1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 cup steel-cut oats
1/8 tsp salt

Bring water and milk to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat, then add the oats and toast, stirring constantly, until golden and fragrant with a butterscotch-like aroma, 1 1/2 - 2 minutes. (I kinda think the toasting is optional so if you don't want to do it, just omit the butter and skip to the next step) stir the toasted oats into the simmering liquid, reduce heat to medium low, and gently simmer for about 20 minutes. Stir in the salt and continue to simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed and oatmeal is creamy (or it looks like something you'd want to eat).

Spiced Apple Topping

1/2 tablespoon butter
1-2 granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped medium
1/2-3/4 cup packed brown sugar
dash ginger
dash cinnamon
dash salt

Melt butter in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples, sugar, spices and salt. Cooked until apples have softened slightly 2-5 minutes, depending on how soft you like your apples. Spoon over individual bowls of oatmeal.