If you think oatmeal comes in a packet, think again.
They know about oatmeal in Ireland and Scotland, where whole-grain, steel-cut oats are popular. Yes, these slightly chewy oats take longer to cook than old-fashioned rolled oats (and way longer than instant oats in a packet), but the results are so much better.
To shorten the usual half-hour cooking time, start the process at night and then finish up in the morning. Follow this recipe with your kids.
OVERNIGHT OATMEAL WITH RAISINS AND BROWN SUGAR
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes, plus overnight resting time
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Prepare ingredients:
3 cups plus 1 cup water, measured separately
1 cup steel-cut oats
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup raisins
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Gather cooking equipment:
Large saucepan with lid
Wooden spoon or rubber spatula
■ In large saucepan, bring 3 cups water to boil over high heat. Turn off heat and slide saucepan to cool burner. Stir in oats and salt. Cover saucepan with lid and let sit overnight.
■ In morning, stir remaining 1 cup water into saucepan with oats and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture is creamy and oats are tender but chewy, 4 to 6 minutes.
■ Turn off heat and slide saucepan to cool burner. Stir in raisins, sugar, butter, and cinnamon. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes. Serve.
Make it your way
If you don’t like raisins and cinnamon, try these fun flavor combinations.
■ Banana and Brown Sugar Oatmeal: Use 2 chopped ripe bananas instead of raisins. Leave out cinnamon.
■ Blueberry and Almond Oatmeal: Use 1/2 cup blueberries instead of raisins. Use 2 tablespoons almond butter instead of butter and cinnamon. Add 1/2 cup sliced almonds to oatmeal along with blueberries.
■ Toasted Coconut Oatmeal: Use 1 cup canned coconut milk instead of water. Use 1/2 cup toasted unsweetened flaked coconut instead of raisins. Leave out butter and cinnamon.
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