George Thomas is the host of VPR's Jazz in the Evening program.

"This recipe was found in a neglected trunk of sheet music in the basement of Louis Armstrong's Corona, Queens home. Legend has it this was first eaten by Louis Armstrong when, after moving to Chicago, a local doctor insisted he try it instead of his usual Swiss Kris. Windy rumors have it that he lasted but a week before a visiting Fats Waller, noticing the color of his breakfast remarked, "What did you do to be so Black and Blue, Lou?"

"Actually, the recipe comes from my wife, Sweet Sue, except I've modified it slightly."

1/2 cup oatmeal (not instant)
1/4 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 tsp grated ginger - Watch your fingers grating in the early morning! Being a jazz DJ, I eat this mid-day...
Orange juice or water
5-7 toasted pecans, broken
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp cardamom
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup part-skim ricotta

Combine oatmeal, blueberries and ginger in a microwavable bowl, add juice or water to just cover, and cook on high for 2 minutes. Remove and add pecans and remaining spices. Mush up well & enjoy. Don't be thrown off by the blue color...all good jazz is based on the blues!