I am terrified of the blank page, the white screen, the empty canvas. Just the thought of trying to write a story lately makes me either want to nap or drink. Both options are too sad, even for me, before breakfast. So I turn to a different sort of blank page- oatmeal. I can make oatmeal. I can write about oatmeal. I can take pictures of oatmeal. I can even eat oatmeal. The first time I went abroad was the first time I craved oatmeal. That food, more than any other, was emblematic of home, the familiar. But until today I never had oatmeal with rosewater.
This would have been better with berries- not blue, something red like strawberries or raspberries. Just a hint of tang and fresh fruit color. But then I wouldn’t be able to tell you how I made it while emptying the dishwasher because I would have had to run to the store and get berries. As it was it was delicious, reminiscent of panna cotta with the cream and vanilla. In lieu of fresh berries I stirred in just a bit of quince jam.
creamy rose vanilla oatmeal with quince jam
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp rose water
- 1 tsp sugar
- a pinch of salt
- 1 tsp quince or raspberry or strawberry jam
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine all the ingredients except the jam.
- Microwave 3-5 minutes or until the oatmeal reaches desired consistency.
- Swirl in the jam and top with fresh berries if you can.
- Enjoy warm.
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