After Kellogg 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 and grocery prices climbing, today's recipe for Ultimate Microwave Oatmeal is a great alternative to cold cereal.

Whether you're the breakfast-only cereal sort or if you have it for dinner in classic "Seinfeld" mode, oatmeal fills you up fast. And by now we've all heard about the cholesterol-lowering bonus.

This oatmeal is adapted from our latest cookbook, "Cheap. Fast. Good!" It tastes terrific, is extremely healthful, microwaves in minutes and is very cheap to make. If the only oatmeal you've ever experienced is the "instant" kind from paper packets, you're in for a real treat! You also 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. Because 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 oatmeal 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 (deep or shallow) doesn't seem to matter.

The exact cooking time depends on the power of your microwave. In general, it should take between 11/2 to 21/2 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.

Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross are co-authors of "Cheap.Fast.Good!" Reach them at www.desperationdinners.com.