Okay. So this is really dorky to share this, but as you were all so very helpful with my oatmeal cooking debacle I thought I'd let you know how I was getting on. I've been using your advice and trying various methods to make my morning bowl of delicious oatmeal, and today's was the best bowl yet. It was so yummy I had to share.
I've been cooking it on the stove since I am making it on weekends mostly. I only use a (heaping) quarter cup of oatmeal (because I want to enjoy a slice of toast, too), and find that a full cup of water and a dash of salt makes it just the right consistency for me. So far, so good. I decided to keep it really simple. Then I added a little less than a teaspoon of flaxseed at the very end of the five minutes of cooking time. I just bought a bottle of Lemon Creamed Honey (made locally) at a farmer's market not far from my house, so a dollop of that went on top. Then a handful of blueberries and a few shakes of cinnamon and voilà, my own very simple and perfect bowl of oatmeal. I do plan on continuing to try out the variations suggested, however. The lemon honey is so good and gives it just the right amount of kick. I also indulged in a jar of Ginger Creamed Honey (I may have to try that on my next bowl of oatmeal), and the Pumpkin Butter went onto my slice of pumpkin spice swirl bread!
Thanks for all the help. I think I have finally got the basics down and will have fun experimenting with other flavors and add-ins now. Hmm. What should my next cooking project be? (Yes . . . I know. Oatmeal?! Can you tell I lead a simple life.).