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It’s National Oatmeal Month. Oats are not just for horses and Scots, as an 18th century English writer suggested. Research from the USDA confirms that grandma was right when she insisted that everyone finish that bowl of hot cereal before heading to school or the workplace. Oatmeal is rich in soluble fiber, beta glucan, which can improve the health of our heart and help to control weight gain by keeping you feeling full longer. The Food and Drug Administration recommends 1-1/3 c. oatmeal a day to help reduce LDL cholesterol levels. (“lousy cholesterol” ––LDL–– a good way to remember which is the bad cholesterol. And, good “happy cholesterol” –– HDL)

The fiber can also lower your risk for Type II diabetes by preventing spikes in blood sugar levels. Oatmeal also has a good amount of iron, providing about 1.5 mg per cup. A serving is 1/3 c. of uncooked cereal or 2/3 c. cooked. Double those servings and you have the 2 ounces that experts are suggesting you eat each day. It doesn’t have to be just hot cooked cereal.

The following recipe from a gal who says this is absolutely the best, chewiest oatmeal cookie she’s ever eaten. I agree.

GEORGIE’S OATMEAL

PUDDING COOKIES

1 c. margarine, softened

1/4 c. white sugar

3/4 c. packed brown sugar

1-1/4 c. flour

1 t. baking soda

1 (3.9 oz.) package vanilla instant pudding

2 eggs

3-1/2 c. quick oatmeal (oats)

1 c. raisins

Combine margarine and sugars in mixing bowl; beat until smooth. Beat in eggs. Add flour, baking soda and pudding; beat well. Stir in oats and raisins. Batter will be stiff.

Drop by teaspoonful onto greased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Makes about six dozen cookies.

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Do you like eating granola? I’ve seen recipes that have a good amount of fat in them, but this recipe has just 4 g saturated fat in 1/4 c. of the oil used. It’s really good sprinkled over a bowl of hot oatmeal.

GRANOLA MIX

1-18 oz. carton old-fashioned oatmeal (about 6 cups)

2/3 c. honey

1/3 c. light brown sugar

1/4 c. canola oil

1 T. vanilla

1 t. cinnamon

1 c. slivered almonds

1 c. shelled sunflower seeds

Optional: snipped dried apricots and craisins, mixing into the granola just before serving

Spread oatmeal on two 15x10 rimmed baking sheets (or one 9x13 and one 8x8 pans and the 15x10 sheet). Bake 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly toasted.

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It’s the time of year when oven meals are really popular as not only is it impossible to bake the whole meal at one time, but it heats up the kitchen as well.

GOOD ‘N EASY MEATLOAF

1-1/2 lbs. lean ground beef

1 c. milk

1 c. oats (quick or old fashioned)

1 T. dry minced onion or 1/4 c. diced fresh onion

3/4 t. salt

1/8 t. pepper

1/8 t. garlic powder (optional)

1/2 can tomato soup, heated

In large bowl, combine all ingredients, mixing well.

Form into a 9x5 loaf and put into a 9x5 baking pan. Pour soup over meatloaf. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Now, add baking potatoes and bake along with the “loaf.” Add a green bean casserole the last 30 minutes of baking time. Mix up some muffins (perhaps from a box mix) and voila––supper from the oven. Serves 6-8.

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I really enjoy a slice of pecan pie with a cup of coffee but pecans can be spendy. This is a good substitute for the real thing.

POOR MAN’S PECAN PIE

3 eggs, beaten

1 c. sugar

1 c. old-fashioned oats

3/4 c. dark corn syrup (light will work)

1/2 c. flaked coconut

2 T. butter or margarine, melted

1 t. vanilla

one 9-inch unbaked pastry shell

whipped cream or topping (which you must have)

In a large bowl, combine first seven ingredients; mix well.

Pour into pastry shell. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes; lower heat to 350 degrees and bake for 30-35 minutes or until knife inserted in center of pie comes out clean.

So the edges of the crust don’t get too brown, cover with strips of foil. Uncover last 10 minutes of baking time.

Cool, garnish with whipped cream. Serves 8.

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Thought for the day: A Swedish proverb: Fear less, hope more, eat less, chew more, whine less, breathe more, talk less, say more, hate less, love more and all good things will come to you.

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