This morning I made something for the first time ever: steel cut oats. I got the recipe from my friend Thelma, and you can skip over to her blog if you want to see pretty pictures of the oatmeal, yet. Let me just say that this is better—way better—than regular oatmeal, amen. Here is Thelma’s recipe in case you’d like to try them too (you would).
3 C. water
1 C. milk
1 T. butter
1 C. steel cut (*aka pinhead, aka Irish) oats
1/4 t. salt
Bring milk and water to a simmer in a large saucepan. Meanwhile, heat the butter in a skillet until foamy, then add the oats. Toast, stirring constantly, until golden and fragrant with a butterscotch-like aroma (1-2 minutes). Add to the simmering liquid, turn the heat to medium low, and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the mixture thickens and resembles gravy. Add the salt, stirring with a wooden spoon handle, and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, for another 7-10 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed.
Add a drizzle of maple syrup and YUM. This makes a big batch, which is actually nice because they take about 45 minutes to make and apparently reheat very well. Thelma also says it’s important to follow the recipe instructions as to timing, even when you add the salt.
I just have to say…sometimes you grow up and realize your parents were right about things. Like my mom has been informed about health and nutrition for most of my life and I had next to zero interest in it until suddenly it’s hip to be healthy and now I realize my mom was about fifteen years ahead of her time. When we were home over the holidays, guess what I found in her fridge. Yep, steel-cut oats.
So go try ’em!
*When I went to the health food store yesterday for these oats, I could only find pinhead oats. I asked the salesladies about steel-cut oats but they had no idea what I meant. (Frustrating culture shock moment…which I should be used to by now!) I came home and looked it up online, and apparently steel-cut oats, pinhead oats, and Irish oats are all one and the same.
-Jennifer
11 comments
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February 1, 2011 at 2:56 pm
Dinah
I’ve been hearing about these oats. Mom said she just cooks hers like oatmeal. Maybe if I would try this recipe some of my oatmeal haters would like them. They do like baked oatmeal.
Its a riot here this morning, school was cancelled due to ice and Keith is home too, working on hanging drywall in our upstairs bathroom. Yay!!!
February 1, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Charity
I’m off to find steel-toe oats….well, as soon as the ice melts a little:)
February 1, 2011 at 8:55 pm
thelongtrick
I heard it’s nasty weather there! Are you feeling settled in by now?
February 2, 2011 at 1:14 am
Mom
Yes, that’s right. The oats will keep full till mid afternoon. Need to try that recipe. Kristy had told me about it. Need to retire soon . 1:00 am comes quick. Why do I make junky donuts anyway?
February 2, 2011 at 10:03 am
thelongtrick
Yeah Mom, that’s not very consistent with your healthy lifestyle. 😉
February 2, 2011 at 1:41 am
Kristy
i have been making this for a couple years and we all like them except McK (go figure). i decided to really impress them and make this cool new recipe. Got up early Friday when it was rainy and dreary to slave over them for 45 min….. Jesse is eating them and goes “did you do something different? i like the old way better”. so guess we will go back to easy-peasy.
2 cups water, lil salt, and 3/4 c oats…. boil for 15 min.
February 2, 2011 at 10:03 am
thelongtrick
Now that’s interesting. I wonder what the difference is? I’ll have to try that way sometime when I don’t have 45 min. to make oatmeal. 🙂
February 2, 2011 at 10:03 pm
Kristy
they aren’t creamy because of no milk. i think they are a little drier. i liked them both ways. i actually only boil them for maybe 10 min and then let sit with the lid on the remaining time. 🙂 add some raisons!!!
February 2, 2011 at 10:47 am
Karen
Another easy way to cook them is use 4 c water to 1 c oats and cook for 15 minutes in the evening. Let them sit overnight and just warm them up in the morning for a quick breakfast. I doubt they’re as flavourful as your recipe, but we like them. 🙂
February 6, 2011 at 2:54 am
Kristy
Jenn… savored my last piece of chocolate! i would get 2 chunks with each cup of coffee and take a nibble to melt in my mouth with each swallow. it was quite delicious. i sorta hogged it all myself :). thanks!
February 7, 2011 at 9:44 am
thelongtrick
Awesome. I’m always glad to hear someone appreciates European chocolate. (I really wished I hadn’t opened that one box of chocolates in front of all the nieces and nephews. The value of a $15.00 box of European chocolates is sort of wasted on an 8 yr. old boy. ;))