Since one thread asked about dinner foods and a friend suggested that I try oatmeal to help with cholesterol I thought I would ask this august assemblage
how they serve it up.

I won't say it will gag a maggot, but it is not on my list of favorite foods.

OK, water or milk, fresh fruit or not? Nuked or cold? What do you do to make it paletable?

Don't use the instant - too high a glycemic index! Use the slow cook stuff. I've heard that "steel cut" is the best. I just add some brown sugar when cooking then a little half and half and honey.
The fiber helps keep down the cholesterol. A heaping teaspoon of metamucil in 16 oz of water does wonders.

I used to eat oatmeal in the mornings. Even bought special organic oatmeal from the health food stores. But oatmeal has a lot of fiber and not much more. So try flaxseed because it has Omega 3 and oatmeal does not. Flaxseed has the fiber plus other stuff. So to me its better.

I grind the seeds in one of those small coffee grinders and put it in with my morning smoothie consisting of bananas, oranges, an antioxident like acai or pure pomegranate juice. So there's no cooking. Keep it simple.

Check this thread out - I put up an oat pancake recipe (borrowed and modified from someone else) that's good. Was just thinking about trying it with peanut butter (halfway down) as a variation

I like the occasional bowl of oatmeal, I cook it in the microwave for one minute cooked in milk. Brown sugar, some raisins, and I'm good to go.

Steel cut oats with golden raisins and walnuts. Bananas or canned peach slices on top. First you brew the coffee, then drink the coffee while the oats cook. I like soy milk, my wife likes fat free milk.

This is how I do it.

Use the "Old Fashioned" type either Quaker, store brand or from the bulk food aisle. This recipe makes one large serving.

1. Boil one cup of water with 1/8 teaspoon of Mortons Lite salt.
2. Reduce heat to Medium low and add 3/4 cup of Oats, stir well.
3. Simmer until all water has been absorbed... about 3-5 minutes.
4. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of low fat margarine (Promise etc.) and 2 tablespoons real Maple Syrup.
5. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes
6. Serve with milk... I use Soy milk.

Sometimes I substitute 1 tablespoon honey or some raisins or 2 teaspoons of Molasses for the Maple Syrup.

Old Wessex Irish Style Oatmeal (5 min to cook - steel cut takes 30 min to cook!!!)
Tbsp Crushed Flax Seed
Tbsp Wheat Germ
Whole Honey (real maple syrup is good too)
Raspberries or Bananas

The "instant" oatmeal (Quaker, etc.) is just yuck. Flavored instant oatmeal is loaded with salt and sugar. Hotel oatmeal on business trips is overcooked, and tastes like wallpaper paste - I just eat eggs and bacon. I've never been a cold cereal fan.

I know what you mean about taste. Part is buying good quality oatmeal, part is getting away from taste of high fat, high salt foods. Also, you need a good pot to cook the oatmeal. Inexpensive "Revere Ware" type pots don't spread heat evenly, causing oatmeal to burn, stick, irritate you or your spouse when cleaning. Get a good All-Clad pot or equivalent.

Per RockHammer "First you brew the coffee, then drink the coffee while the oats cook." - that part is absolutely critical.

I put 1/2 cup of Quaker oatmeal in a big mug with 1 cup of water. Nuke it for 2 min 10 sec. Add about 1/4 cup half and half and eat it in the car on the way to work. It's simple and I've gotten to where I look forward to it and wouldn't think of doing without it.
I think its easy to overdo oatmeal. That's where it gets to be a chore to eat. Remember, moderation in everything - including oatmeal.

It's actually pretty good, and satisfies for a long time. But don't expect more than about a 10 point drop. More effect can be had by eating no red meat and no breads/potatoes/crackers.

Here's how you do it:

1 cup oatmeal
2 cups water
about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of
a- dried apricots
b- dried apples
c- any dried fruit, some like the papaya stuff
d- raisins
e- a sprinkling of cinnimon
f- maple syrup

I just put in cereal bowl and stick in microwave for 3.5 minutes and 1/2 power and it's perfect.

Regular quick oatmeal in a bowl
Pour in enough boiling water to just cover
Stir.
Mix in pinto or chili beans, 3 tablespoons
Go shower or read
Come back and it's cooked.

Lower cholesterol and lower blood sugar.

Make sure you chew the beans, though.

I like to use Quaker Old Fashion oatmeal. Cook it is a small pan: 1 cup of water, scant dash of salt, boil water and add about 2/3 to 3/4 cup of oatmeal (depending on how thick you like it), a level tablespoon of cinnamon, about 1/3 cup of raisins, reduce heat, cover and cook for 3-5 minutes.
Pour into bowl, add benacol and about 2 tablespoons of honey.

Hmm, hmm good, (and good for you) - - - can't wait till breakfast

Quick oats + a little sugar + walnuts + milk + water and either cinnamon or huckleberries. Nuke while coffee is brewing. Huckleberries are best, but you have to go out and pick them every year.

In a 1 gallon zip-lock bag I mix: 4 cups quick oats, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup wheat germ, 1/4 cup oat bran, and 1/2 cup shredded coconut. I then take out servings as needed, and add a few raisins to taste.

I also do the smoothie approach on weekends. In a typical smoothie I put: vanilla whey protein powder, non-fat milk or soy milk, 1 heaping tbs flax seed, a banana, 1/2 cup or so of brocolli, and ice. I have a vita-mix which blends it up nicely. I know, the brocolli sounds gross, but my kids sure like it (2 y.o and 4 y.o.).

Standard good ole Quaker Oats with a healthy dollop of sugar free maple syrup.

Every Tuesday and Thursday.

btw, instant oatmeal is not the same.

Quaker Old Fashioned Oats
Cooked in Skim Milk (not water - adds protein)
Sweeten with Splenda Brown Sugar
Cinnamon-to taste
Raisins-to taste
Add a dash of Real Vanilla Flavoring-to taste

Breakfast on many mornings!

My total cholesterol is 130

Hot, spread about an inch thick on a plate with a layer of apple butter. Also need a cup of hot black coffe to go with it.

Scotts Porridge oats on a freezing cold morning and a full bowl 30 minutes before a ride and it gives an inner glow that lasts for about 10 minutes into the ride. By which time the Body temp has got up and the warm up is finished. Then think of all the energy it gives you with the Carbo- hydrates. Then it wears off and where's the real breakfast?

Quaker Old Fashioned Oatmeal with brown sugar, cinnamon and walnuts. Glass of milk on the side. My favorite hot cereal is Quick Grits with peanut butter and honey, tho.

Old Fashioned oatmeal.

1. Place 1/2 cup oatmeal in a microwaveable cereal bowl.
2. Add 1 1/4 cups of water. Nuts if desired.
3. Microwave for 8 minutes at about 7-8 power on a scale of 10. You need to do two bowls of cereal or one bowl of plain water and one bowl of cereal, or it will boil over.
4. Remove, add fresh strawberries/fruit.
5. Add a bit of skim milk. Brown sugar if desired - although I use no sweetening, my wife uses artificial sweetener.

Enjoy.

A bowl of good old-fashioned oatmeal keeps me going for hours. I have it several times per week. But the instant stuff tastes awful to me.

I use instant (usually cinimon) mixed with water and nuked. Then I add blueberries and a touch of soy milk.

Folks, this is absolutely great. I had no idea that there were so many ways to enjoy oatmeal. I will start trying the various concoctions this weekend.

Who needs a food channel when we have this forum? A few more recipes and we can print our own cookbook.

Another angle too look at this issue. A car needs Gas (does not matter much which), a biker needs food (it should not matter so much which). Oatmeal is Carbs plus milk and sugar. Cold or warm does not matter as fuel for your engine. Fruit is more sugar which your body also needs.
I eat most of the time in restaurants. I have learned to ignore taste and just carb up.
Do not get me wrong, I love good food. I get that at home. On a bike tour or on a business trip, forget that. Eating healthy is all that matters and that is tough enough to do.