Steel cut oats

I wonder when my kids are going to get sick of me making steel cut oats for them?!?! We have them for breakfast sometimes lunch and sometimes even supper....I love them!!!

There are so many good reasons to eat them besides the fact that they are delicious. Steel cut oats are very nutritious and a healthy addition to any diet.

Steel cut oats are unrefined whole grain groats that have been dried and cut into two to three pieces by steel, rather than being rolled. They are rich in B-vitamins, calcium, protein and fiber. They look like tiny grains of rice or chopped up nuts. You can find them in most grocery stores. I buy mine at Target in the oats section. Steel cut oats take longer to cook than rolled oats, about 30-40 minutes, but they are so worth the wait. You can also cut down on the cooking process by soaking the oats overnight. I will often just get them in the pot before I go to bed and just start them up right when my monkeys wake me up in the morning.

Another thing that I love about steel cut oats is the texture and the fact that flavor combinations are limitless.  My favorite is banana nut with brown sugar. My kids love blueberry and cinnamon. You can sweeten the oats with, sugar, brown sugar, splenda or honey and add your favorite fruit or peanut butter, vanilla, or chocolate powder.

Basic Cooking Directions

• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 3 1/2 cups water
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup skim milk

1. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot. Add the steel cut oats and and salt. Stir.

2. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook for 30 minutes. Make sure you stir the oats occasionally so they don't stick to the pan.
3. When the oats start to thicken, at about 30 minutes, add in the milk. I think the milk makes the oats creamier. Stir the oats and milk together and cook for ten more minutes.
4. Add in the topping of choice.

Serve the oats hot. If you want you can let the oats cool and then portion them out into smaller containers. To reheat, I add a splash of milk and reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

NOTE:  you can omit the milk and just use 4 cups of water but I like my oats a little creamier so I add the milk. Also to cut the cooking time in half pre-soak the oats overnight.