Waking Up to a Warm Breakfast

Cold mornings demand a warm breakfast. Our fall/winter weekday breakfast of choice is McCann's Steel Cut Oatmeal. The problem is, it takes about 30 minutes to cook and requires that one stir it every 5 minutes. Fortunately, this slow, steady cooking method suits Ed to a T. The night before, I measure 1 cup of oats to 4 cups of water and add a dash of salt.

Ed gets up before me and hits the "on" button to the coffee maker and then gets the oats to cooking over extra-low heat. He sets his phone timer in 5-minute increments and gives the bubbling oatmeal a quick stir every time his alarm goes off. By the time I awaken, coffee and oats are ready.

Ed doctors his up -- with cranberries, almonds and chopped dates -- and a drizzle of Farm Dover honey. I like to stir into mine a heaping tablespoon of unsweetened applesauce. It's amazing how a bowl of Irish Oatmeal never fails to warm my heart and soul.

Note: We make enough for at least a couple of days. It heats up nicely in the microwave.