Christmas in a Cup

This recipe is really quite simple. I named it Christmas in a cup because upon eating it, I felt like it was Christmas morning. The warm creamy milk sweetened by brown cinnamon sugar and plump raisins made me feel warm, hopeful and happy- totally enveloping me with the feeling Christmas!

I'm a bit embrassed to admit that I never wanted to share this recipe. It's so dear to me and is something my little brother Tristan and elder sister Patricia always ask me to make when I visit home. I secretly enjoy the fact that no one can make it quite like me because it's such a joy to prepare it and watch with delight as they enjoy every bite of Christmas in their cup! But Christmas is all about the gift of giving right?! So my gift this Christmas season is my most treasured little recipe, one that I concoted in my early teens and have kept a secret till now...


Ingredients (1 serving):
1.5 cups whole milk (don't bother with skim, 1 or 2%)
1/2 cup quaker oats
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon raisins
1/8th teaspoon cinnamon
a pinch of salt

Method:
Bring the milk, sugar, raisins, salt and cinnamon to a boil. Immediately add the oats and reduce the heat to low and stir. Simmer gently on low heat for 5 minutes. Cover with a lid for 2 minutes and serve. I use more milk because I like it to taste like porridge.