Steel-cut oats are full of nutrients
Unlike rolled oats, which are steamed, rolled and toasted before they reach the supermarket shelf, steel-cut oat groats are whole oat grains that have been cut into pieces using sharp steel discs. They resemble small pieces of rice and contain high quantities of nutrients including protein, fiber, calcium and B-vitamins. They are low in unsaturated fat and salt. Steel-cut oats take more time to cook than rolled oats.
Instructions
1. Pour 4 cups of water into a saucepan, add 1 cup of oats and bring to the boil, stirring until all the water is absorbed. Take the pan off the water, cover and leave overnight. The following morning, bring the oats to a boil, taste and serve when tender. Add salt, honey, sugar or milk to taste. This is the traditional method.
2. Microwave the oats to reduce preparation time. Mix 1 cup of steel cut oats with 4 cups of water in a large bowl big enough to allow the oats to expand without spilling over the side. Cover the bowl with plastic kitchen wrap and cook at full power for 5 minutes. Remove and stir, then return the bowl to the microwave and cook for 5 minutes more. Add milk, salt or sugar as desired.
3. Reduce the cooking time of oats. One way is to cut the grains into smaller pieces using a blender or food processor. This will reduce the time it takes to cook the oats in a microwave by five minutes.
Alternatively, toast the grains in a preheated 300-degree oven for 20 minutes. This will reduce the cooking time by half. You can store toasted grains in a sealed container.
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