We love steel cut oatmeal. If you even halfway like oatmeal or even if you don’t, and you’ve never tried steel cut oats, you owe it to yourself to try the steel cut oats. They’re so different from regular, mushy, gooey oatmeal. Our preference is McCann’s Irish Oats but there are other brands. A brand we can get locally is Bob’s Red Mill Steel Cut Oats.
Steel cut oats take 35 – 40 minutes to cook which means . . well, if you’re going to have them for breakfast, you’re having to get up earlier than you’d like to have oatmeal on the table for breakfast.
But, with the new rice cooker, I put the oatmeal and water in the rice cooker the night before. 1 part oatmeal/3 parts water.
I set the timer so the oatmeal will be done at 6:30 a.m. I use the porridge setting.
I go to bed. I sleep like a rock. I wake up . . which would be a whole lot nicer if I were waking up at 9:00 a.m. instead of 6:00 a.m., right? The oatmeal is done when I’m ready for it to be done . . no waiting for the water to boil, no stirring, no falling asleep at the stove.
Last night I had taken strawberries out of the freezer, wishing I’d bought 10 flats of strawberries instead of one, so this morning we had oatmeal with strawberries. No work, no fuss . . perfect oatmeal!
This rice cooker moves right up to the top of my favorite appliance list, mainly because of how it cooks this oatmeal.
kerri says
Those oats look great. We discovered steel cut oats out here in So Cal at costco. They are called “Coaches Oats” They were formulated by a college gymnastic coach at Cal state Fullerton in Ca and they are cracked and toasted, and they do taste so much better than regular mushy oats! I can’t wait to try your rice cooker technique. Thanks for another great cooking tip. And, since I started grinding and making whole wheat bread, my Husband and three sons are spoiled. No other bread compares now!
Cynthia H., El Cerrito, CA says
I’ve used a crockpot for “overnight oatmeal.” Rolled oats here (best price available was for rolled oats). Great oatmeal! Chewy, oat-y…I’ll keep my eyes open for steel-cut, though, and use them in the crockpot. Hint: during cold weather (when fresh fruits mostly aren’t in season), cutting up dried apples and adding a hint of cinnamon really perks the oatmeal up! 🙂
Deb says
Duh. I never thought of using the rice cooker for oatmeal!
We eat alot of rice also, I might have to think about that new rice cooker….The hub does the cooking, but he is also the carb freak, we have rice 3-4 times a week also. Worth looking into, but we have no counter space, or cupboard space, so that is the only reason I hesitate.
Your meals always look so good! We just bought a new stove, and Bill wanted to get a 6 burner. I said “when do you ever use all 4 burners?” (and he doesnt) but I finally met someone who does! Should have known it would be you! I think Julia has nothing on you!
Norece says
We use a coffee maker for making our oatmeal. We pour the oats in the pot and put water in the top, set the timer and it is ready in the morning. We don’t drink coffee, had the coffee pot from when my folks use to visit. I will give the rice cooker a try. Thanks for the great ideas.
Bessie H says
I haven’t had oats since my mom passed away last year. My six siblings and myself
would take turns at Mom’s. Wednesday was my day and oats was usually on
the menu. I had never cooked oats until about 8 years ago when we started staying with Mom and Dad. I got pretty good at cooking them the way they liked and bragged to my husband I could cook him some just like his Grandmother’s. Well, I don’t know what went wrong but they were awful. Maybe it was Mom’s pan. Can’t get him to let me try since. I’ll have to look for some steel cut oats and maybe surprise him.
Leslie McS says
I have steel cut oats for breakfast every morning. Get them 50lbs at a time from the co-op. I cook them in the microwave. 2 cups of water, 3/4 cup oats in a large pyrex measuring cup…8 minutes on high (while I walk the dogs) then 4 more minutes on high while I feed the dogs and make my tea. Dried cranberies are my favorite add-in. Just be sure to use a large container- if they boil over it is a really yukky way to start the day.
JO says
I make them ahead of time, either at night or on the weekend. They keep well for a few days; in the morning I just microwave to reheat.
I actually like them better this way, than straight from the stovetop. May have to try some of the other suggestions, too.
Jo
Carolyn says
I think you have convinced me to try this particular rice cooker. I have alot of kitchen gadgets but have never had a rice cooker. The brown rice setting sounds nice. I also like that you can cook the oats and have it ready at 6 AM. Thanks for telling about it on the blog. Love your sense of humor ! Carolyn
Beth says
I’m like Cynthia…I put my steel cut oats on in the crock pot before I go to bed…and when I wake up ….Voila! breakfast done when I want it. I”m with you…I want to eat with no work in the morning! I’m a fat free half and half (oxymoron I know!), brown sugar and banana girl…
Leah says
Hi there!
I must say, those strawberries look wonderful with steel cut oats! I am with McCann’s, and just wanted to let everyone know that we are so glad to see such enthusiasm about steel cut oats!
For some great recipes, check out our website! http://www.mccanns.ie/recipes.html