Cozy, Healthy Steel-Cut Oats

Have you ever tried steel cut oats for breakfast? Not to be mistaken with traditional oatmeal, steel cut oats have a chewier texture and nuttier flavor, and they are the least processed variety of oat cereal. I starting eating them in grad school. I would wake up at 6 am everyday to get ready and catch my train, and I typically did not return home until 8 pm. So eating a nutritious and filling breakfast and packing a healthy lunch were top priorities--especially on the days I was performing. Like athletes, pianists need to eat a good balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fat to provide the energy and fuel necessary to perform well.

Steel cut oats are an excellent source of protein, fiber and of course, whole grains too, and it is much less mushy than regular oatmeal (I was always averse to regular oatmeal because of that!). They do take a tad longer to cook, but if you're just making a single portion it shouldn't take more than 10-15 minutes on the stove. And it's such a warming, cozy breakfast for chilly mornings!

I typically eat mine with a little bit of brown sugar (though I'm looking for an alternative, for the sake of my teeth) and cream, for extra protein and fat (if your goal is low-fat, you could use skim milk). I've also been tossing in a spoonful of flax seed, which are high in omega-3 fat, for additional healthfulness.

If you've only had traditional rolled oats for breakfast I urge you to give these a try--especially on the mornings when you need a little extra heartiness to keep you warm and energized!