"Just saw Paula doing this one. It looks so good, as I look out at the snow! I usually add raisins (lived for years in Fresno, raisin country!) to my oatmeal, and I've found that it works really well to add the raisins to the water first, before I even turn the heat on...gives the raisins a chance to really plump up. And I love using golden raisins, or a combination or black and golden raisins. Or even dried figs, prunes, dried apricots, dried mangoes, or just ANY dried fruit! But by all means, if possible, use original Oats. Using instant or quick-cooking is said to be about the same, but they (even Paula) has said the same about instant or quick-cooking grits, but us ol' country boys know the difference!!!