Did you hear the one about the shrinking cereal boxes? Unfortunately, it's not a joke. After Kellogg's cut the size (but not the price) of cereal boxes a couple of months ago, we got to thinking about oatmeal. With a new school year starting up and grocery prices still climbing, today's recipe for Ultimate Microwave Oatmeal is a great alternative to cold cereal.

Whether you're the breakfast-only cereal sort or you do it for dinner in the classic Seinfeld mode, oatmeal fills you up fast. Alicia's girls sometimes ask for a big bowl of oatmeal loaded with fresh fruit for dinner after a grueling day. And we've all heard about the cholesterol-lowering bonus.

Our oatmeal tastes terrific, is healthful, microwaves in minutes and is cheap to make. If the only oatmeal you've experienced is the instant kind from a paper packet, you're in for a real treat. Our oatmeal is a tiny bit chewy, and you can control the amount of sugar.

Here are a few tricks for microwaved oatmeal success:

• It's best to make one bowl at a time, using no more than 1/3 cup uncooked oats. But since it takes just a couple of minutes, you can quickly microwave enough for the whole family. Plus, it's easy enough for older children to make themselves.

• Use a microwave-safe cereal bowl with a capacity of at least 2 cups. (Using a cereal bowl means you won't have to wash anything else.) The oatmeal will bubble up as it microwaves, and if your bowl is too small, the cereal can spill over the sides before it is done. Stopping in the middle of microwaving to stir helps prevent this. The shape of the bowl (how deep or shallow) doesn't seem to matter.

• The exact cooking time depends on the power of your microwave. In general, it should be done in 1 ½ to 2 ½ minutes. The oatmeal is ready when almost all of the water is absorbed. If you overcook it, just stir in a tablespoon or so more water to reach the desired consistency. If it's too wet, either microwave for a few seconds longer or let it stand until the water is absorbed.

Topped with raisins, brown sugar and perhaps a sprinkle of nuts, a steaming bowl of oatmeal sends everyone off for the day (or night!) happier and healthier.

• Menu idea: Ultimate Microwave Oatmeal, apple slices, orange juice.

Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross' latest book is Cheap. Fast. Good! Their website is desperationdinners.com.

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