Friday, December 7, 2012

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!




8 comments:

  1. Try adding coconut for a sweetner. You can get raw coconut, without the added sugar. We also add a few currants and chopped nuts with cinnamon. Sometimes I'll add a few chopped apricots but that's pretty rich.

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    1. Such delicious ideas! I will definitely try them. Thanks!

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  2. You can make oatmeal in the crockpot using steel-cut oats too! If you toss the ingredients in the night before, there's no work in the morning! :-)

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    1. That's a great idea! I don't have a crockpot--yet--but I have a feeling I'll want one once I have kids!

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  3. I haven't tried steel cut oats, but I love oatmeal. I even like oatmeal at night!

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  4. I have (unsuccessfully) tried to make this twice. :) Once in the microwave...where it spilled everywhere. And another on the stove, where I cooked it following the directions and it just didn't seem to be quite right. Oh my. I consider myself a capable cook, but these steel cut oats are proving to be difficult. I'd love to try them someday! :)

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    1. Leah, they can be a little bit finicky when it comes to timing. I think the Irish Oats brand pictured above is the best--I've tried other brands and they tend to turn out too chewy. I've never tried them in the microwave but my husband has, and they spilled everywhere too! And he's also quite capable in the kitchen. So try the Irish Oats on the stove, and see what you think :)

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  5. I used to love oatmeal but I developed an allergy to them several years ago!
    XO,
    Zhanna
    www.lifeandbows.com

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