Oatmeal Gruel

Description

Ingredients

• oatmeal


• cold water


• cold milk


• salt


• sugar

Method

• Put a quantity of oatmeal in an earthenware crock, cover with cold water and leave to stand overnight.


• Strain, and bring the liquid to the boil.


• Pour in the milk and add the sugar and salt to taste.


• Re-boil for a further few minutes.


• or


• Work the oatmeal through a fine sieve, pour cold milk over it and boil for about ten minutes, adding salt and sugar to taste.

Dyffryn Ardudwy, Merioneth.

A light, nourishing dish, served mainly as an invalid food. It was also given to the mother of a new-born baby as it was considered to have certain qualities to help her produce milk for the infant.

Upper Banwy, Montgomeryshire.