Oaten drinks prepared from rolled oats or oatmeal are favourites with
athletic men and such drinks are especially good when hard work in the
open has to be done. At harvest time in Scotland it has long been the
custom to give the labourers oatmeal water as being the most quenching
drink possible.
Oatmeal Water.
Take 1 oz. coarse oatmeal, add to it 1 quart of cold water, let it
stand for 2 hours, draw off as wanted, stir before taking.
Alternative (a form of gruel).
Take from 4 to 6 tablespoonfuls of well cooked oatmeal porridge, add to
it 1 quart of water, bring to the boil with stirring. When quite smooth
strain it for use.
Alternative (3).
Mix 1 tablespoonful of oatmeal with 1 quart of boiling water. But
first mix the oatmeal with a little cold water before adding the hot
water. Stir constantly. Boil for 3 hours. Replenish water as necessary,
strain, season and serve hot. The fine oatmeal, or oatmeal flour, is
the best for this purpose.
Oaten Tea.
Procure some lightly roasted oats, grind 1½ to 2 ozs. of these and pour
upon them 1 pint of boiling water, sweeten with malt extract, honey or
manna, and serve hot.
Oaten Tea (2).
Toast a thin oatcake until brown, pour boiling water over it, cover
jug. When cold strain, and serve cold.