For you oatmeal lovers

[SadieKate]

Bubba is all smiles because we got him a spurtle yesterday at the Whole Earth Festival. You say, what is the heck is a spurtle? It is the stirrer of choice for porridge. Invented by the Scots who are apparently the inventors of the spatula also. Since oatmeal seems to be a popular breakfast for cyclists thought all you should know how to fix it properly. :D

http://www.goldenspurtle.com

He is now armed with his spurtle and his "snot-flage" rag, a kharmic tie-died bandana. He is ever the trendsetter. :p

[DeniseGoldberg]

Oatmeal and other hot cereals are favorites of mine - great fuel for cycling. But I have to admit that I had never heard of a spurtle before! So SadieKate, thanks for the new word and the new cooking implement!

I looked on the Golden Spurtle link that you provided and was disappointed not to see a picture of a spurtle, other than the one embedded in the logo, that is. So I went Googling... if anyone else wants to see a picture, you can see one at the Seafoam Woodturning Studio (http://www.sunrisewoodcrafts.ns.ca/spurtles.html) web site.

--- Denise

[spazzdog]

soooo, the spurtle is the wooden billy club looking thing???

:confused: spazz

[SadieKate]

I looked on the Golden Spurtle link that you provided and was disappointed not to see a picture of a spurtle, other than the one embedded in the logo, that is. So I went Googling... if anyone else wants to see a picture, you can see one at the Seafoam Woodturning Studio (http://www.sunrisewoodcrafts.ns.ca/spurtles.html) web site.

--- DeniseThanks, Denise! Bubba's spurtle is made from myrtle, so he has a myrtle spurtle (there has to be a Dr. Suess rhyme in there).

[CorsairMac]

Thanks, Denise! Bubba's spurtle is made from myrtle, so he has a myrtle spurtle (there has to be a Dr. Suess rhyme in there).

only if Bubba is a turtle............

[SadieKate]

You fired him up.

The Myrtle Spurtle Hurdle
He carved his first spurtle from myrtle,
And a finer spurtle you'll never see.
But carving at the pace of a turtle
Means myrtle spurtles will ne'er profitable be.

[CorsairMac]

that was Hilarious!......thnx so much for ending my evening on the giggles!.....gotta tell ya sadie hun...that bubba - he be a keeper! string him up and take a pix!!! or better yet, stuff him and put him over the mantel! :p

[Jo-n-NY]

How interesting. I never grew up with oatmeal in the house as my father would not eat any kind of food that is a mushy consistancy.

Can anyone list any favorite brands, instant vs cooked (I guess) etc. I guess this is something worth to try, however, like my father I never did because it didn't look appetizing.

thanks ~ JoAnn

[DeniseGoldberg]

Can anyone list any favorite brands, instant vs cooked (I guess) etc. ~ JoAnn
My preference is McCann's Irish Oatmeal (http://www.mccanns.ie/). I use the quick cook kind - in too much of a hurry at breakfast to cook the steel-cut version. Instant? I only put up with instant cereals when I'm camping!
--- Denise

[Jo-n-NY]

Thanks Denise. I will look into seeing if anyone in my area carries it.

~JoAnn

[Bike Goddess]

Well, I guess I'll have to jump the hurtle and get a spurrtle :p :p

[Petunia]

I'm curious if Bubba's new culinary tool is a Porta-Spurtle? That would come in handy on cycling trips. ;)

[fixedgeargirl]

Is that a spurtle under your skirtle, or are you just happy to see me :p ?

[Trek420]

DeniseGoldberg "My preference is McCann's Irish Oatmeal (http://www.mccanns.ie/). I use the quick cook kind - in too much of a hurry at breakfast to cook the steel-cut version. Instant? I only put up with instant cereals when I'm camping!"

I love Mccanns! It's my favorite pre-ride breakfast. Sticks to the ribs, I'm not even hungry by the first or second rest stop (but I'll still eat, of course).

Last year on the AIDS ride I had oatmeal for breakfast each day, it wasn't Irish Oatmeal or even close to it but it helped.

Funny thing is when not riding I won't touch the stuff.

Don't let me forget to pack my REI portable sport spurrtle

[nuthatch]

You guys kill me! Myrtle spurtle!! My husband's German mom was a great one for discipline with a wooden spoon. That spurtle looks like the Scots version - I know I'd run if my mom waved that thing around!

Serious oatmeal eaters know that only steel-cut will do. Those of us who don't want to wait 20 minutes for it to cook, just bring it to a boil the night before, turn off the flame and put it on the back of the stove overnight. It's ready to just warm up in the morning. I've been eating steel-cut every morning for almost three years now and I'm still not tired of it. If you don't want to pay McCanns prices, check out the bulk bins at your health food store - it's about 79 cents a pound.

When we were in Scotland a couple of years ago, the hotel had a huge electric kettle of it on the buffet table along with honey on one side and whiskey on the other. Just a wee drap, mind!!

[DeniseGoldberg]

Serious oatmeal eaters know that only steel-cut will do. Those of us who don't want to wait 20 minutes for it to cook, just bring it to a boil the night before, turn off the flame and put it on the back of the stove overnight. It's ready to just warm up in the morning.
Thanks for the tip! Now I have to go buy some steel cut McCann's so I can try the overnight cooking trick.
--- Denise

[SadieKate]

OMG, where is this thread going? It got out of it's girdle.

Anyway, my 2 cents on the choice of oatmeal. I like the 7-grain cut cereals enhanced with other cut grains of choice. Lots of flavor, very chewy and they stick with you. Put 1 cup in a microwaveable bowl with 2 cups water and nuke for 10 mins while you shower. Voila!

Add to taste: sliced roasted almonds, pecan, raisins, chopped dates, cherries, brown sugar, etc., etc., etc.

[nuthatch]

Add to taste: sliced roasted almonds, pecan, raisins, chopped dates, cherries, brown sugar, etc., etc., etc.

Love these condiment ideas! There's no limit to how we will adulterate our oats!

[Melody]

My preference is McCann's Irish Oatmeal (http://www.mccanns.ie/). I use the quick cook kind - in too much of a hurry at breakfast to cook the steel-cut version. Instant? I only put up with instant cereals when I'm camping!
--- Denise

heh. My husband and I are the opposite. :) After getting hooked on the steel-cut oatmeal, we haven't gone back to instant. :) My understanding is that it's also better for you than the instant since there is more bran (or something or other) in the steel cut version that helps lower cholesterol, which is really good for us. :)

What we do, when we're having it in the morning, is we start it up just after we get out of bed. Just water, salt and the oatmeal. Then we both take showers. By the time we're done and gotten dressed, oatmeal is ready. :) Add a little milk, some raisins and a little brown sugar and we're good to go. :D

Mel

[Roadrunner]

How interesting. I never grew up with oatmeal in the house as my father would not eat any kind of food that is a mushy consistancy.

Can anyone list any favorite brands, instant vs cooked (I guess) etc. I guess this is something worth to try, however, like my father I never did because it didn't look appetizing.

thanks ~ JoAnn
Being a good Scots-woman I love porridge, I mainly eat it in winter though.
I tend to like Scots porridge oats. I have tried others including the type you soak overnight but I'm afraid that Scots is the only brand I like.

[Adventure Girl]

I am an oatmeal snob! I've tried many brands and my favorite is Silver Palate Thick and Rough Oatmeal. It has just the right flavor and texture for me.
http://www.worldpantry.com/silver/img/product/sil-1100-1.jpg.

http://www.worldpantry.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=127573&prrfnbr=149678

[nuthatch]

Being a good Scots-woman I love porridge, I mainly eat it in winter though.
I tend to like Scots porridge oats. I have tried others including the type you soak overnight but I'm afraid that Scots is the only brand I like.

I don't suppose we oatmeal snobs can interest you in starting a little exporting business can we, Margaret? I'll have some Hamlyn's Pinhead oats and Yorkshire Gold tea.

[Roadrunner]

I don't suppose we oatmeal snobs can interest you in starting a little exporting business can we, Margaret? I'll have some Hamlyn's Pinhead oats and Yorkshire Gold tea.

Never seen that particular oatmeal before. We could do a swap I'll send you some porridge if you send me some froot loops. Can't get them over here :( The nearest thing we have is cheerios.

[nuthatch]

Never seen that particular oatmeal before. We could do a swap I'll send you some porridge if you send me some froot loops. Can't get them over here :( The nearest thing we have is cheerios.

Ha, ha! Froot Loops! PM your address to me and I'll send you some! I can get them in 22 oz bags for about one pound sterling (Malt-O-Meal brand). The shipping is the bite, isn't it!

[Barb]

You're all so worldly....I'm so embarrassed!!! I eat good old quaker oats every morning. Not the instant stuff. And please....I need blueberries or blackberries in mine. Well ok, I will settle for cin/honey in a pinch.