Quick Cooking Steel Cut Oats

A while ago I was complaining about how long steel-cut oats take to cook, and to expect some posts in the future about how to reduce the cooking time. Well, the future is finally here.

I know that it is possible to buy quick-cooking steel-cut oats, but there are only so many bags of oats I can afford to buy at a time. Plus, quick-cooking steel-cut oats are kind of hard to find. So instead I figured I'd just make my own using regular steel-cut oats and a coffee grinder.

The only difference between regular and quick-cooking steel-cut oats is the size – not surprisingly, the quick-cooking variety are chopped smaller. The texture is very similar to regular steel-cut oats that have been cooked for 25 – 30 minutes. Quick-cooking steel-cut oats are slightly less chewy and a bit creamier, which certainly works for me.

Plus, quick-cooking steel-cut oats only take 5 – 10 minutes to cook!

So, without further ado…

How to Make Quick-Cooking Steel-Cut Oats

1. Measure out your desired quantity of steel-cut oats.

Steel-Cut Oats

2. Add them into a coffee/spice grinder. Pulse 8-10 times (these are very quick pulses), or until they have been chopped smaller, but are still in tact.

And voilà! Quick-cooking steel-cut oats!

Quick-Cooking Steel-Cut Oats

If you're not using them immediately, store the quick-cooking steel-cut oats in an airtight container.

While I have only ever tried this using my coffee grinder, I imagine it would work in a food processor or good-quality blender. Just keep an eye on them when you're pressing the pulse button – you don't want to end up with oat flour.

My other suggestion for making a single-serving of steel-cut oats that won't dry out is to use the smallest saucepan you have. I recently purchased a slightly smaller saucepan, and it really makes a huge difference.

As it felt wrong to leave this post recipe-less, here's a recipe that I make at least once a week, if not more frequently. Nothing says "Good morning!" like Peanut Butter and Banana Oatmeal. It's like a warm hug from a teddy bear.

Another wonderful thing about the combination of peanut butter and banana is that you can dress it up depending on how you feel. Add some raspberries or jelly/jam for a PB&J feel. Sprinkle over some chocolate chips for something more decadent. Or for the whole shebang and add some honey and grilled (veggie) bacon for an oatmeal version of "The Elvis" sandwich.

Peanut Butter and Banana Quick-Cooking Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Recipe type: Stove-top Oatmeal

• ¼ cup steel-cut oats
• ½ cup water
• 2 tablespoons PB2 (or regular peanut butter)
• ½ cup almond milk
• 1 banana
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Chopped nuts, dried fruit, or other toppings of choice

1. Turn the steel-cut oats into quick-cooking steel-cut oats: Add the oats to a coffee grinder, food processor or good-quality blender, and pulse until they are smaller, but still in tact. For a coffee grinder, this is usually 8 - 10 quick pulses. Set aside.
2. In a saucepan (with the heat off), mix together the water and PB2 (if using regular peanut butter, add it in Step 3). Add the almond milk, bring the mixture to a boil, and then turn down the heat to medium-low. Add the quick-cooking steel-cut oats and stir. The oatmeal should be ready in 5 - 10 minutes from this point (my oatmeal is generally ready in 7 minutes).
3. Meanwhile, mash half the banana and add it to the saucepan. Add the cinnamon and vanilla extract, and stir well.
4. When the oatmeal is fairly close to being ready, slice the other half of the banana into the saucepan.
5. When you are pleased with the consistency of the oatmeal, transfer it to a bowl. Top with some chopped nuts and raisins, or other topping of choice. Enjoy!

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Quick Cooking Steel Cut Oats

Source: http://breakfastdramaqueen.com/2014/05/29/how-to-make-quick-cooking-steel-cut-oats/

Posted by: mathisgicence.blogspot.com

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