Steel Cut Oats
Steel Cut Oats also know as Pinhead Oatmeal or Irish Oatmeal
I didn’t grow up eating oatmeal. I’m not sure if it’s because oatmeal isn’t a “Southern” thing or my parents just didn’t care for it…maybe because they grew up in the South as well? But now I’m a big fan!
As with many of the things I now like, I first ate oatmeal out of “necessity”. Meaning, my husband and I were visiting Texas, he was interviewing for his current position with a mission organization and we were staying with his (now) boss. The first morning we were there she made oatmeal for breakfast. Of course, it would have been rude not to eat any so I tried it.
I was immediately hooked! Although, I will say she did have TONS of yummy things to go in it….apples, blueberries, nuts, brown sugar, raisins, cinnamon..I can’t even remember everything. I think the oatmeal was just in the bowl to make all the other stuff stick together. When we went home I began making it occasionally for our family.
My husband likes to frequent our local World Market and one day when he was there he picked up a can of “Irish Oatmeal”. I had no idea what it was but figured we’d give it a try. To my surprise, it was even better than regular oatmeal!
What’s the difference? Well, what it boils down to (no pun intended) is the the processing and ultimately the cook time. Steel cut oats are oat groats cut into small pieces and they take more time to cook. They tend to have a more “nutty” flavor, a little crunch and less mushy texture. Even though they are less “processed” than rolled oats, everything I read said they have the same nutritional value and benefits. So, if you’re eating them for the heath benefits, it just comes down to which one you prefer. I like to buy them in bulk to get a better price.
Steel Cut Oats aren’t hard to cook but they do need to boil about thirty minutes so they aren’t the kind of thing you make last minute or when you’re in a hurry. I have seen several “overnight” crock pot methods for cooking them and I did try one but honestly, our family wasn’t that crazy about it. Cooking overnight made them lose all their crunch and changed the consistency.
My recommendation? Plan ahead and make them just before serving…they are totally worth it! Also, make sure you have plenty of yummy toppings!
One other note: Steel Cut Oats are not necessarily interchangeable for rolled oats in recipes so DO NOT use these for your Oatmeal Cookies.
Here’s the Recipe:
- 1 cup Steel Cut Oats
- 4 cups water
- 1/8 tsp salt
*This makes about 4 servings but it’s very easy to make less. It’s just a 4:1 ratio of water and oats*
Optional Toppings:
- Imperial Brown Sugar
- cinnamon
- molasses
- Maple syrup
- blueberries
- apples
- butter
- other seasonal berries or fruit
Bring water and salt to a boil over high heat in a heavy saucepan
Add steel cut oats, cover and reduce to low heat
Cook 30 minutes
You may need to watch carefully at first to make sure they don’t boil over (depending on stove). Boiling over will give you a very sticky mess on the pan and stove….trust me!
Make sure they stay on a low boil
After 30 minutes remove lid and stir. If they are still “soupy” continue to boil uncovered until they reached desired consistency, then serve immediately.
They will continue to firm up as they sit and cool
Spoon into bowl and add desired toppings
What’s you’re favorite way to eat oatmeal?
- 1 cup Steel Cut Oats
- 4 cups water
- 1/8 tsp salt
- Imperial Brown Sugar
- cinnamon
- molasses
- Maple syrup
- blueberries
- apples
- butter
- other seasonal berries or fruit
- Bring water and salt to a boil over high heat in a heavy saucepan
- Add steel cut oats, cover and reduce to low heat
- Cook 30 minutes
- They may need to watch carefully at first to make sure they don’t boil over (depending on stove). Boiling over will give you a very sticky mess on the pan and stove….trust me!
- Make sure they stay on a low boil
- After 30 minutes remove lid and stir. If they are still “soupy” continue to boil uncovered until they reached desired consistency then serve immediately.
- Oatmeal will continue to firm up as they sit and cool
- Spoon into bowl and add desired toppings
- This recipe makes about 4 servings but it’s very easy to make less. It’s just a 4:1 ratio of water and oats
2 Comments
Christine
March 24, 2015 at 12:35 PM
Just made steel cut oats in my crock pot for the first time. I may never go back. Can’t wait to try your recipe.
mallory
March 24, 2015 at 11:50 AM
mmmmm I love oats for breakfast. These sound delicious with all that fruit!
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