Avenotto Classico                                       Makes 5-6 servings


Saute                                                     4 onions, 3/8" dice
                                                          1-2 carrots, 1/4" dice
in                                                        olive oil

       If the onions want to brown,
Add                                                       a splash of white wine
       Repeat as necessary.

       When the onions are almost reduced as they
       can get,
Add                                                       soy sauce 1-3 t to taste

       If you haven't already used at least 1.5 C
       of white wine,
Add                                                       up to 1.5 C white wine

       When the wine has reduced 2/3 or more
Add                                                       2 C 5 minute oats
                                                          4 C chicken stock
       Crank up the heat until the mixture boils.
       Continue to cook the mixture, adjusting the
       heat as necessary, for 10 minutes.  Stir
       occasionally to keep the oats from sticking
       to the pan.

       While the oat mixture is cooking,
Nuke                                                      16 oz frozen peas
       until nicely hot.

       When the oat mixture is good and gooey,
Add                                                       salt to taste

       Stir in the nuked peas and serve.


Variations:

    Add "guest" vegetables - mushrooms are nice; lots of celery is good too.
    Corn might be nice, but I've never tried it.  Replace some of the onions
    with fennel.  Go crazy - the recipe is just a starting point.

    Fan of Steel cut oats?

      Steel cut oats take longer to cook, so cook them with the chicken
      stock in another pan while sauteing the onions.  The onions and oats
      should finish cooking at approximately the same time.  When both are
      ready just mix them together with the peas and you're good to go.

      Don't forget that steel cut oats are twice as dense as 5 minute oats,
      so use half the volume.

      If you find, as I do, that Avenotto Classico made with only steel cut
      oats isn't gooey enough, try a combination of steel cut and 5 minute
      oats.  A 50/50 mixture - 1 C 5 minute oats and 1/2 C steel cut oats -
      yields a dish that captures the best of both.


Serving Suggestions:

    Chili Avenotto - Add cumin or chili powder.  This is great with non-fat
                     Greek yogurt or sour cream.

    Chili Cheese Avenotto - Add cumin or chili powder and cheese.  mmm.

    Curried Avenotto - Add you favorite curry powder.

    Salt & Vinegar Avenotto - Add coarse gray salt and good balsamic vinegar.

    Avenotto with Kippers - Add a can of kipper snacks.  This is incredibly
                            good.  And healthy.