Thursday, March 24, 2011

Steel Cut Oats

Why I never tried steel cut oats before this month I am not sure! My friend Lauren eats them often, and while I was over her house one day she gave me a bag full of steel cut oats to try for myself. Once you try these, you won't go back (ok, maybe sometimes because I still do love rolled oats)! These oats are so much chewier than quick or rolled oats. They are much creamier, and a little bit "nuttier." And who doesn't love nuts?


According to my good friend (who sadly got me through much of college), Wikipedia, steel cut oats are whole grain groats which have been cut into two of three pieces by steel rather than being rolled. I find that these oats keep me even more full than a bowl of rolled oats, which is great! If they didn't take 30 minutes to cook (although you can soak them overnight for less cook time), I would probably have them every morning!


Ingredients (makes about 4 servings):
  • 1 cup steel cut oats
  • 3 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup skim milk
  • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
  • toppings (I used pecans and oranges today)
-Bring the cup of steel cut oats and 3 1/2 cups of water to a boil. Once boiling, reduce and cover and let simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

-After 20 minutes, add in your milk and ground flaxseed. Continue to simmer for another 10-15 minutes.

-I choose to sweeten my oats after with toppings (such as fruit, shredded coconut, brown sugar, etc.), but if you would like...you could add in 1/8 cup of brown sugar while cooking your oats to sweeten them.

-They oats should be very creamy after 30 minutes! Eat them warm, or place in the fridge for up to 3 days and have them cold with milk the next morning.


This is me encouraging you to pick up a bag of ground flaxseed next time you find yourself in the grocery store! You can add tablespoons of these to almost anything you bake, increasing your fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids.


Look at that creaminess...


Yum! I ate these for lunch today (I think I eat oats more often for lunch than breakfast). We unfortunately woke up with about 2 inches of snow on the ground. While Ollie was loving the white stuff, I was not :/ Thankfully the sun is melting it as I type! As the 2 year old little man I nanny for said to me this morning while waiting at the bus stop, "Cait(y)n, it is a beautiful snowy day!" He couldn't be more right.

8 comments:

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

*sigh. I tried steel cut oats and I did not become a believer. Oh well. I still have some and will try again. I didn't try them cold though...hmm ♥- Katrina

Regina said... Best Blogger Tips

for a super easy ready to go breakfast throw in a mini crock pot the night before and let go on low overnight....add a splash of fat free milk and fresh blueberries in the morning and enjoy :) Regina

thechurchcook said... Best Blogger Tips

What healthy breakfast! I have never tried it before but am encouraged to give it a try! :) Thanks, Caitlin.

Cait @ A Bicycle Built for Two said... Best Blogger Tips

I had to be encouraged as well, but I'm glad I was :) Like I said...I still love rolled oats but its nice to be able to change it up every once in a while!

Kathy said... Best Blogger Tips

I have never had steel cut oats before, but I've seen it a million times in my bulk foods section of the store, and flax meal (that's ground up flax seeds right?) (and poppy seeds) and now, I'm encouraged to make some too :)

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

Totally yummy! You have mentioned you like Trader Joes - have you tried theirs? They have quick cooking steel cut oats that cook in 8 min. and they have some frozen packets of precooked you just stick in the microwave for a couple min! We eat them a lot more now with these options. I share your love of healthy food for sure! :)

Emily said... Best Blogger Tips

Yum! These look great. I LOVE steel-cut oats. I love the fabric you used in the picture! Gorgeous photo, as always.

Amy @ A Little Nosh said... Best Blogger Tips

I just recently discovered them also and I love the "pop" they have. I make them in the crock pot on Sunday and then just add a little water and reheat throughout the week. Easy peasy!

 
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