2 c Quaker Oats, uncooked

-- (quick or old-fashioned) 1 ts Salt

4 c Water

FLAKY OATMEAL: Stir oats into briskly boiling salted water. Cook 1 minute for quick oats, stirring occasionally. Cook 5 minutes or longer for old fashioned oats. Cover pan, remove from heat and let stand a few minutes. CREAMY OATMEAL: Put oats, salt and cold water in pan. Bring to a boil. Cook as above. Top each serving with a scoop of your favorite ice cream. TOPPINGS FOR OATMEAL: Top each serving with brown sugar, your favorite preserves, fresh, canned or thawed frozen peach slices, applesauce, semi-sweet chocolate pieces, marshmallows, dates, raisins, honey, maple-blended syrup or sliced bananas. FRUIT-BLENDED OATMEAL: Add 1/2 cup chopped pitted dates, chopped prunes, raisins, dried apricots or chopped apple to the water just before stirring in the oats. Cook as for Flaky or Creamy Oatmeal. Source: Our Favorites for family and friends Reprinted with permission from The Quaker Oats Company Electronic format courtesy of Karen Mintzias