05.2.2012 "A Winter Morning" by Ted Kooser + Overnight Steel Cut Oats
Except for "the kettle's whisper," mornings are for quietness, waking up slow, easing into the day. It sounds a little dreamy, doesn't it? I know my mornings aren't always this tranquil, but come Saturday or Sunday, it's easier to enjoy spending time in the kitchen just after the sun comes up. And I'd better get to sharing this poem before we get too far into the warmer weather.
A Winter Morning
By Ted Kooser
A farmhouse window far back from the highway
speaks to the darkness in a small, sure voice.
Against this stillness, only a kettle's whisper,
and against the starry cold, one small blue ring of flame.
From Delights & Shadows
Isn't it just perfect? Instead of giving a lengthy commentary, I think the poem speaks for itself in a hushed voice, capturing the heart's quiet places. While reading this poem over and over, you might enjoy a warm bowl of steel cut oats. Perfect for morning nourishment, the key, though, is starting the oats before you snuggle up in bed for the night. Then when you wake up, you'll have more time to enjoy the early hours instead of scrambling to decide what to make for breakfast.
Breakfast wasn't always this thoughtful. I relied on processed cereal for years, and have finally started the process of eliminating it from my diet. I've replaced my Cheerios with smoothies, whole grain pancakes, and oatmeal, and I'm finding it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. I also feel better. I'm full until lunch (instead of my stomach eating itself around 11 am), and feel more energized mid-morning. So there is something to be said about breakfast being the most important meal, because it sets the tone for your hunger, and your relationship to food, throughout the day.
OVERNIGHT STEEL CUT OATS
Serves 1
*To serve 3-4, use 1 cup oats and 4 cups water (plus a bigger saucepan)
1/4 cup steel cut oats
1 cup water
For serving: almond milk, brown sugar, slivered almonds, and cranberries
Add oats and water to a 2-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil, and let simmer 1 minute. Cover and leave on the stove. In the morning, bring the oats to a low boil again and cook for 5-10 minutes, or until any of the remaining liquid has been absorbed and the oats are creamy and tender. Serve with your favorite toppings.
Reader Comments (6)
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and I savor mornings spent engaging in lively conversation with my husband over a bowl of oatmeal or pancakes. However, this post reminds me that silence is nice too. I feel inspired to get up before the sun and linger in the quiet.
This is a beautiful post - you did such a good job of capturing a tranquil morning with your photos.
I've been trying to start my day out better, too - my breakfast was not the healthiest affair. It makes such a difference! I've been seeing lots of recipes for overnight oats - I'll have to try yours out. It's so easy! :)
this poem really captures a quiet morning well -- and is really a great example of Kooser's writing -- always very concrete with every day observations elevated into something else. I really learned a lot from him when I was lucky enough to be in his class (at the time he was named poet laureate to boot!). Your pictures too have such a nice hushed feel about them. (Also, the recipe is a great breakfast :))
OK, I love this. Both the poem and sentiment of quiet, luxurious mornings AND the push towards nutritious, quality breakfasts. So perfect to read this Friday night, with Saturday before me!
A literary food blog!! What an ingenious conception!! Wonderful photos too!
I was born in Scotland, but have never made porridge in the manner...you've picqued my interest now! -CC
What a great poem! So descriptive of the quiet start of a day. Although when it spoke of the blue flame it made me think of the one burner on my stove that's supposed to be for fast boil has a blue flame that goes up so high and wide that I sometimes have to jump back.