A Southern Gallimaufry
Bring a quart of milk to boil and stir in 2 cups steel cut oats. Immediately reduce heat and cover. When liquid is absorbed, stir in 1 cup whole cream and refrigerate overnight. Add more milk or cream to texture and sweeten if wanted before serving with fruit or nuts.
Blend a cup of coarsely-chopped pitted dates with a ¾ cup brown sugar and a stick of soft butter. Sift in a cup of all-purpose flour, a teaspoon baking soda, and a teaspoon salt. Add a lightly beaten egg, a teaspoon vanilla, whatever spices fit your groove (clove and ginger are mine), and a cup and a half of quick-cooking oats. Mix until moist through. Spoon onto a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake on the middle rack of a preheated 350 oven for about 20 minutes.
