Time to allow: 1 hr 30 min's Portions : Ingredients Amount Type of raw ingredient Modern Substitutes 1 tbs coarse oatmeal   pinch salt   1 pint water   1 pinch nutmeg   a knob butter or cream   Method   1 boil the water in a small saucepan 2 add the salt and sprinkle in the oatmeal 3 stir until it boils again 4 simmer for one hour stirring occasionally 5 strain and serve with sugar or salt 6 a pinch of nutmeg and a knob of butter/cream can be added before service to make the gruel suitable for invalids Recipe Comments   1 a small amount of fruit juice can be added to flavour the gruel 2 The recipe is recommended for people suffering from colds