Steel Cut Oats

Even if you don't like oatmeal, (which I love) I think you should give steel cut oats a try. They are nothing like rolled oats. Steel cut oats are the whole oat kernel, or groat, that his been cut with a steel blade. They can be hard to find and expensive at a regular grocery store. I buy mine in bulk from Sunflower Market for under $1/lb, I'm sure they're available at Whole Foods or any other health food store. They take quite a bit longer to cook, but are so very worth it!

Steel Cut Oats

• 3 1/2 C water


• 1/2 C milk


• 1 C steel cut oats


• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
  
  In a Dutch oven, bring the water to a boil. Add oats. Simmer, uncovered, for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until oats have thickened and the water is almost absorbed. Add the milk and vanilla if desired, cook about 5 more minutes or until thickened to desired consistency.
  Makes 3-4 servings.

The texture and flavor of steel cut oats is quite different from that of rolled oats, and certainly of quick cooking oats. Nutty, sweet, kinda chewy. Yum. I usually sweeten mine with brown sugar and add a few walnuts. The vanilla adds a really nice touch, but you can leave it out if you want. It's also good with a few fresh or frozen berries thrown in.

If you don't have the time to cook them in the morning, you can do them over night in the crock pot. I've never cooked them that way, but I'm sure a quick Google search will bring you several recipes.