"Time for taking Oats of Silence" - a quote from one of Richmal Compton's irrepressible William books has become a slogan for a winter breakfast. I rarely make it in the summer, but its a good one for a cold winter morning before rushing out the door into the bitter winter chill of a Queensland winter...

You Need

1 cup, or 4 kadchis Rolled Oats - it must not be that nasty instant oats.
Boiling Water - 2 cups
A stick of cinnamon
Sultanas, a handful

Walnuts or Slivered Almonds or chopped Macadamia Nuts (Optional)
Fresh Fruit, chopped - a couple of grated apples or pears, or 5 or 6 chopped strawberries, a sliced banana
Hot soya or dairy milk
Honey, Golden Syrup or Maple Syrup - I usually put this on the table only when there is just a bit left  in the bottles that I want finished up, so that I can pitch the bottle out. Typically after Dan has bought bucketfuls of maple syrup to have with pancakes, and the naple syrup sits around in my cupboard collecting ants.

Steps

1. The night before, place the oats in a heatproof casserole or widemouthed flask, and pour in the freshly boiled water. Add the cinnamon and sultanas and put the lid on.  The dish needs to retain the  heat for a few hours at least. This step allows you to have 10 minutes more sleep in the morning, and is pretty easy to do last thing in the night.
   
2. In the morning, grate or chop or slice the fruit.
3. Place the oats into individual bowls, or reheat before serving if necessary.
4. Place the fruit, nuts and milks on the table and allow people to add it themselves.