I first heard of steel-cut oats while watching Alton Brown on the Food Network. Later, I found that they have a lower value on the Glycemic Index than regular oatmeal - which prevents glucose spikes for diabetics. Plus, they have a better texture than rolled oats - they have to be chewed.
According to Wikipedia:
"Steel-cut oats are whole grain groats (the inner portion of the oat kernel) which have been cut into only two or three pieces by steel rather than being rolled. They are golden in color and resemble small rice pieces.
Steel-cut oats are also known as coarse-cut oats, pinhead oats, or Irish oats. This form of oats takes longer to prepare than instant or rolled oats due to its minimal processing, typically 15–30 minutes to simmer (much less if pre-soaked). The flavor of the cooked oats is described as being nuttier than other types of oats, and they are also chewier."
Here's the favorite way to make these at my house.
Apple Cranberry Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal
Ingredients:
1 1/2 Tbsp butter
1 cup steel-cut oats
2 cups apple juice
2 cups water
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1-2 apples, cored and chopped into chunks (use something that will stand up to a bit of cooking, like a Granny Smith, Jonathan, Jonagold or Fuji) - leave the peel on for added nutrition.
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup dried cranberries (omit and use 1/2 cup raisins, if desired)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Toppings: butter, brown sugar, cream or milk, granola, maple syrup
Directions:
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add steel-cut oats and toast, stirring constantly until they have reached a golden color. This takes less than 2 minutes - and be careful because the oats can go from good to burned in a nanosecond.
Bring apple juice and water to a boil in a 2 1/2 or 3 quart saucepan (use one that has a lid). Whisk in oats, butter, vanilla and salt. Stir in apples, raisins, cranberries and cinnamon. Lower the heat to maintain a simmer and cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so. When done, if the oats mixture seems a bit thin, you can add 1/4 cup instant oatmeal to bring consistency to your desired level (keep in mind that oats will thicken as they cool).
Divide into bowls and pass the toppings.
4 generous servings.
I get my steel-cut oats at Trader Joe's Neighborhood Market, they're less expensive than other stores and organic, too!
If you like your apples less cooked, wait 10 minutes to add them after stirring in the oats.
Alternative cooking methods:
2 or 3 quart Slow Cooker: about 12 AM (Midnight) the night before, put all ingredients except toppings into the cooking liner. Cover and turn onto low. Oats will be ready in about 6 hours. They will have a "mushier" texture, especially if they cook longer.
Electric Pressure Cooker: place everything into the inner cooking pot. Lock the lid in place, make sure the valves are all closed and set for high pressure. Set timer for 20 minutes. This recipe is also suitable for the delay start feature on some electric pressure cookers.
Flavor Variations:
According to Wikipedia:
"Steel-cut oats are whole grain groats (the inner portion of the oat kernel) which have been cut into only two or three pieces by steel rather than being rolled. They are golden in color and resemble small rice pieces.
Steel-cut oats are also known as coarse-cut oats, pinhead oats, or Irish oats. This form of oats takes longer to prepare than instant or rolled oats due to its minimal processing, typically 15–30 minutes to simmer (much less if pre-soaked). The flavor of the cooked oats is described as being nuttier than other types of oats, and they are also chewier."
Here's the favorite way to make these at my house.
Apple Cranberry Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal
Ingredients:
1 1/2 Tbsp butter
1 cup steel-cut oats
2 cups apple juice
2 cups water
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1-2 apples, cored and chopped into chunks (use something that will stand up to a bit of cooking, like a Granny Smith, Jonathan, Jonagold or Fuji) - leave the peel on for added nutrition.
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup dried cranberries (omit and use 1/2 cup raisins, if desired)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Toppings: butter, brown sugar, cream or milk, granola, maple syrup
Directions:
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add steel-cut oats and toast, stirring constantly until they have reached a golden color. This takes less than 2 minutes - and be careful because the oats can go from good to burned in a nanosecond.
Bring apple juice and water to a boil in a 2 1/2 or 3 quart saucepan (use one that has a lid). Whisk in oats, butter, vanilla and salt. Stir in apples, raisins, cranberries and cinnamon. Lower the heat to maintain a simmer and cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so. When done, if the oats mixture seems a bit thin, you can add 1/4 cup instant oatmeal to bring consistency to your desired level (keep in mind that oats will thicken as they cool).
Divide into bowls and pass the toppings.
4 generous servings.
I get my steel-cut oats at Trader Joe's Neighborhood Market, they're less expensive than other stores and organic, too!
If you like your apples less cooked, wait 10 minutes to add them after stirring in the oats.
Alternative cooking methods:
2 or 3 quart Slow Cooker: about 12 AM (Midnight) the night before, put all ingredients except toppings into the cooking liner. Cover and turn onto low. Oats will be ready in about 6 hours. They will have a "mushier" texture, especially if they cook longer.
Electric Pressure Cooker: place everything into the inner cooking pot. Lock the lid in place, make sure the valves are all closed and set for high pressure. Set timer for 20 minutes. This recipe is also suitable for the delay start feature on some electric pressure cookers.
Flavor Variations:
Apple Cinnamon: Omit cranberries and raisins. Proceed with recipe.
Cinnamon Raisin: Omit apples and cranberries. Use all water and 1/2 cup raisins and proceed with recipe.
Banana Pecan: 1 1/2 Tbsp butter, 1 cup steel-cut oats, 3 1/2 cups water, 3 mashed bananas, 1/2 cup toasted pecan pieces, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp cinnamon. Proceed with recipe.
Cinnamon Raisin: Omit apples and cranberries. Use all water and 1/2 cup raisins and proceed with recipe.
Banana Pecan: 1 1/2 Tbsp butter, 1 cup steel-cut oats, 3 1/2 cups water, 3 mashed bananas, 1/2 cup toasted pecan pieces, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp cinnamon. Proceed with recipe.