Steel cut oats recipe

Steel cut oats recipe have a coarser texture than rolled oats. Linnea Covington has been writing about food for over a decade. From farmers’ markets to award-winning restaurants, if the eats prove good, she’s there, often trailed by her two young boys.

Steel-cut oats come from chopped whole oat groats, the inner kernel of the inedible hull of the grain stalk. Steel-cut oats are also known as Irish oats, coarse oats, or pinhead oats. Since quick oats weren’t introduced until 1922 when Quaker Oats debuted their version, steel-cut oats were most likely the only type of oats available until then. Scotland, Ireland, and Britain are known for their oats and were some of the first cuisines to include porridge.

Steel-cut oats remain to be a breakfast staple, often topped with fresh or dried fruit, cream, brown sugar, or butter. But before it mainly made its appearance as a morning food, steel-cut oats were enjoyed at any meal, often with a savory topper such as sauteed mushrooms, steamed greens, and sausage. These two types of oats differ when it comes to the manufacturing process, cooking time, taste, and texture, as well as how they are used in recipes. Of all of the varieties of oats, steel-cut oats are processed the least, leaving much of the bran intact, resulting in a coarse texture. The result is that rolled oats have a soft, somewhat mushy texture while steel-cut oats are firm. Steel-cut oats also retain more of their nutty flavor compared to rolled oats.

Although both types of oats are used to make a warm breakfast cereal, they are incorporated into different types of recipes when cooking and baking. The best way to prepare a cup of steel-cut oats is to add them to boiling water and cook for 20 to 30 minutes. The ratio of oats to water is 1 to 3 or 4 cups. Once the water boils, add the cup of steel-cut oats, stir, and reduce the heat. Once made into a porridge, the oats are topped with sweet ingredients like brown sugar, raisins, and fresh berries or savory toppings such as cheeses, roasted chicken, and spinach.

The overall flavor profile of steel-cut oats proves a bit bland, but not in a bad way. There are subtle nutty hints and a grainy undertone, but the dish is a lot lighter in flavor than barley or wheat. The actual flavor of a bowl of oatmeal often comes from the ingredients mixed in and on top. Once you master cooking a perfect bowl of steel-cut oats, you can have fun adding flavors and new textures with sweet or savory additions and toppings. Steel-cut oats can be found in canisters or boxes in many large and specialty grocery stores. Some of the most common packaged brands include Quaker Oats, Mccann’s Steel-Cut Irish Oatmeal, Bob’s Red Mill, and Arrowhead Mills. Some stores, such as Whole Foods, Sprouts, and other shops that feature bulk foods have them available to purchase by the ounce.