Easiest Steel Cut Oats
Ah, morning, the most dangerous time of day. The time when you need to Eat Right Now and have the least time to prepare the food to do it. Sure, there are options, but are they really a good idea? Maybe an Eggo Waffle with Nutella will be fine, just for today. Maybe I can just stop for coffee and a breakfast sandwich, just this morning.
I hear you, and while I don’t have all the answers, this recipe may be a part of your solution.
Can you say Steel Cut Oats? You know, that nutty, chewy, oaty goodness that takes so long to make that it is only made on weekends? What if I told you that you can have it any time, with about 5 minutes of preparation once a week? What if I told you that you can add any mixed fruit you like, spice it up with cinnamon, or add some nuts for crunchy protein?
You can, and all you need is the oats, some liquid, a crock pot, and time. Shall we begin?
Easiest Steel Cut Oats
Ingredients
- 1 C Steel Cut Oats
- 4 C Almond Milk
- 1/4 C Dried Fruit optional
- Spice Optional
- Nuts Optional
Instructions
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Combine Oats and Almond Milk in a crock pot (at least 4 quarts). Chop dried fruit, if adding, into bite sized pieces, and add to the crock pot. Stir. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or overnight.
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Serve immediately, with optional nuts, or store and eat later.
Recipe Notes
You may use any dairy alternative you wish, but do not use any real dairy, even if your body has no issues with it. The long cooking time would curdle the dairy and ruin this dish. You may also use plain water, if you wish. The dish will be less creamy, but will still be tasty.
When this recipe is done, any dried fruit will have rehydrated and may surprise you with how tender it has become. You may wish to add some traditional spices, such as cinnamon with apples. I would suggest no more than a 1/4 TSP of cinnamon, and only a pinch of stronger spices such as nutmeg or allspice. Remember that the flavors will be cooking a long time and have plenty of time to intensify.
Sweeteners, such as brown sugar or maple syrup should be added to the bowl, if desired. Terradon likes to add a drop of ginger extract for some zip!
This recipe does not call for salt. This is not an error, but a deliberate omission. Salt can interfere with the absorption of water into the oat, and so, if you want salt, please add it to your bowl when you are ready to eat.
This recipe makes about 4 cups, prepared. You can double it in a larger crock pot or cut it in half in a smaller one just fine. It is very customizable.
Suggestions for dried fruit include blueberries, apples, apricots, mangos, craisons, raisons, or any other dried fruit you like. I have never found one that didn't do well!
I like to add almonds or pecans to my oatmeal, but any nut you like will add crunch and protein to your breakfast bowl. I toast my nuts first, but raw is just fine.
Adapted from Alton Brown, Good Eats