Cardamom Orange Oatmeal

I've been happily eating oatmeal for breakfast, nearly every morning, for months. I know to most people that probably sounds monotonous, not to mention conjuring up images of beige mush being slopped onto a plate, alá Oliver Twist. But bear with me a minute - oatmeal really can leave you asking "Please sir, can I have some more?"

I've always been a fan of oatmeal - the more textured and less mushy, the better. Minute oats are not my friend, and when I discovered steel-cut oats I dove into the delightful chewy bowlfuls spoon-first. And then I stopped eating gluten.

There are no gluten-free oats to be found in Germany, as far as I can tell. They're expensive in the States, but I've never seen them here at all. So when I first stopped eating gluten, I didn't touch oats for almost 8 months. I tried buckwheat flakes, and millet flakes... and even rice flakes. But it just wasn't the same.

I started realizing, though, that I'm OK with trace amounts of gluten. It doesn't seem to give me any allergy problems. So, since oats don't actually contain gluten in their own right, and it's just an issue of cross-contamination, I gave oatmeal a second chance. I was overjoyed to find that my incredibly cheap and versatile breakfast standby is back on the menu!

Since then I can't get enough of the stuff. I often don't even cook it these days. For the most part I just eat it muesli style, uncooked with milk poured over the top. Sometimes with some chopped apple or raisins; usually just plain. But I think I've found a new favorite - something perfect for a hot bowl of oatmeal on a cold autumn morning. Plain old oatmeal is magically transformed into a gourmet treat with a dusting of spicy, fragrant cardamom and a sprinkling of homemade dried orange peel.



This flavor combination was inspired, interestingly enough, by one of the ice creams available at the Bi-Rite Creamery in San Francisco. I haven't been there yet, but with flavors like orange cardamom, balsamic strawberry, and salted caramel on the menu, it's definitely on my schedule when I visit in November.

I really can't say enough good things about cardamom. When I first discovered it years ago as an ingredient for chai tea, I didn't realize how many other uses it had in the kitchen. My neighbor here once lived in Egypt for a number of years, and he introduced me to the wonderful combination of coffee brewed with cardamom. It's also used extensively in Scandinavian baking, and is an ingredient in some savory Indian and North African dishes. In short, I suggest you go buy yourself some and start experimenting!

As a note, I should add that ground cardamom loses it's flavor rather quickly. It's best to buy the whole pods and grind them down as needed. They do have more flavor that way. But, to be honest, those seed pods can be a royal pain when you're in a hurry. I find myself wishing for a little packet of pre-ground cardamom almost every time I use it - especially when I'm trying to get out the door for work. So really, just buy a small amount of ground cardamom, and keep it as tightly sealed as you can. The flavor might not be quite as spectacular, but you'll sure use and enjoy it a lot more often.



Quick-and-Easy Orange Cardamom Oatmeal
I'm usually not a fan of microwaved food, but let's face it, when you're in a rush sometimes it's a lot more convenient. If you have time, make this with steal cut oats and the full cooking time, but I'm quite happy with my quick n' dirty version.

Ingredients:

1/2 C. Oatmeal (certified gluten free, if need be!)
1/8 - 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp finely chopped orange peel
Milk/water to cover

Put your oatmeal in a good-sized, microwave-safe bowl. Sprinkle in the cardamom and orange peel, then add milk and/or water until it just covers the oats. I use about half milk and half water for mine. Stir briefly, then pop it in the microwave for 2 minutes. If you use minute-oats, they will be fully cooked and soft. I make this with regular oats, and after two minutes it comes out with a delicious chewiness that will get rid of any preconceptions you might have about mushy oatmeal!