Hello My Foodie Friends! October is here. Before we know it, we will be marveling at the splendor of the colors. The fall weather typically begins a time where we begin to bring out some of our heartier favorite foods. My love for oatmeal began as a child. Believe it or not, I loved eating oatmeal for breakfast as a child. I always had fun creating channels with the milk, the melting butter acting as lava, and sugar being the snow on my make believe village within my oatmeal. Throughout the years, my morning ritual no longer gives me the opportunity to be creative with what happens to my oatmeal. However, I have been able to become creative with what goes in my oatmeal. If you are in an oatmeal slump – here are some favorite toppings to try to help put some lovin’ back into your oatmeal Fruits, mixed berries, almond butter, and nuts are a standard item that has typically gone into oatmeal. Try new fruits such as figs (have more potassium than bananas), or passion fruits, mandarin oranges, grapes, and pomegranate seeds (loaded with antioxidants). Chocolate (yes!) is actually a great item to put in oatmeal. Dark chocolate is not only delicious but very healthy. Try vegetables (that’s right – vegetables) in your oatmeal. Grating carrots, zucchini, and eggplant and nutrition, fiber, and taste to your oatmeal. Spices such as ginger (has inflammatory properties), mint leaves, pistachios, and pumpkin seed puree’ are all wonderful additions to my morning favorite. When making oatmeal, one of my favorite vessels to cook it in is an All-Clad tri-ply sauce pan. In fact, tri-ply pots are used by chefs around the world to achieve the steady low-to-medium heat required for building delicate sauces. All-Clad tri-ply Stainless combines the strength and beauty of stainless steel with the conductivity of aluminum for consistent culinary results The classic sauce pan is a versatile essential found in a variety of sizes in every well- equipped kitchen. With high, straight sides and a smaller surface area, the sauce pan holds heat well and limits evaporation. Because of its shape, this pan is ideal for making sauces, heating liquids, cooking food in liquids and reheating. The sauce pan can be used with or without its lid to control evaporation. Here is a wonderful Sunday Oatmeal recipe to make: Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups whole milk, plus extra for serving 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking (not instant) oatmeal 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 banana, sliced 1/2 cup dried cherries 1/2 cup golden raisins Pure maple syrup or brown sugar, for serving ADD CHECKED ITEMS TO GROCERY LIST Directions Heat the milk plus 2 cups of water in a medium saucepan until it starts to simmer. Add the oatmeal and salt, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Off the heat, stir in the banana, cherries, and raisins. Place the lid on the pot and allow to sit for 2 minutes. Serve hot with maple syrup or brown sugar and extra milk. 2006, Barefoot Contessa at Home, All Rights Reserved Breakfast is widely recognized as the most important meal of your day and oatmeal is a great way to keep your tummy feeling full and your body energized! Also it can help lower your cholesterol! Stop by CTTC in the Compliments to the Chef Plaza located at 46 Marion Avenue in Saratoga Springs to pick out “cool” Tools for Cooks and to assist you with making your favorite oatmeal concoction. Yummy in my tummy!! Remember: “Life Happens in the Kitchen!” Take care, John and Paula