Thursday, June 4, 2009

Good Morning Blog Readers of the World


I love oats!  They’re one of my favorite things to eat for breakfast.  They’re so good for you because they’re high in fiber, protein and iron.  Usually, I don’t bother cooking them, I eat them muesli style.  I add a handful of dried fruit and nuts, a drizzle of maple syrup and then pour rice milk over the whole thing.  I realize that not everyone likes the texture of oatmeal, cooked or uncooked, so I’d like to suggest that you try steel cut oats.  Steel cut oats are the whole oat groat, or seed, cut into little pieces.  They have a wonderful nutty texture and that same yummy oat flavor.  
I know, I know, you don’t have the time in the morning to cook steel cut oats, so cook up a big batch one night or on your day off.  They keep fine in your frig for a week.
Find a natural foods store (if you don’t already shop in one) and look for the the oat groats in the bulk bins.  You’ll save money and reduce your carbon footprint (no packaging).  While you’re at it, buy organic, it’s better for you and the planet.
Here’s how you cook them:

Traditional Irish Oatmeal
4 cups water (I use filtered water)
1 cup organic steel cut oats
1/4 teaspoon salt
Bring the water to a boil and slowly stir in the oats.  (Make sure you user a big enough pot so this doesn’t boil over.)  When they start to thicken, in about 5 minutes, reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.  They’re done when all of the water is absorbed.
I ate mine (above) with fresh raspberries from my garden (see the My Recession Garden tab) , a drizzle of maple syrup and vanilla rice milk...enjoy.  
People have been eating oats, in one form or another, for 5,000 years, that’s a pretty good recommendation.

1 comment:

  1. never understood why people would cook the oats. maybe I missed something, but what I do is pour boiling water over steel cut oats (with cinnamon and maple syrup), wisk, and let stand covered for 5 minutes - the time you take a shower, say. and yum.

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