Saturday, September 24, 2011

Oatmeal on a Whole New Level

So here is my last new recipe to share. .a few months ago I found a recipe for oatmeal using steel cut oats. It had golden raisins and dried cranberries in it, topped with brown sugar and broiled. We like oatmeal, so I looked for the steel cut variety. .with no luck. Several weeks ago I spotted some by accident and picked them up, hoping that I could remember what the recipe was and that I could still find it in my conglomeration of loose recipes and dog-eared pages.
Luckily, I found the Taste of Home magazine. .and the dog-eared page. Steel cut oats, also known as Irish oatmeal or Scotch oats, are less processed than the other two versions. .quick and whole oats. .and the results are little oat-y nuggets. They do take a while to cook. .but the results are an oatmeal that has a little "chew" to it. .an experience that was not expected, but enjoyed.
After cooking the oats with water and milk for about 25 minutes (and you don't have to stir at all if you don't want too), you dump in this bowl of goodness. .
Cover with brown sugar. .
and broil until carmelized! It was really good. Everyone enjoyed it!
I went on a search for other recipes to use the steel cut oats with, and found a crockpot recipe, which I also tried out this week.  Using 1 cup of steel oats, 2 cups of milk and 2 cups of water, I mixed them in a glass bowl that would completely fit inside my slow cooker. I put water under the bowl to about 1/2 way up the side of the oatmeal bowl. This created a water bath effect to kinda steam and keep the oats creamy, instead of getting crispy or overcooked.  I turned the crockpot on low about 10:30, and we were greeted by the same chewy oatmeal by 7 am. Grant mixed peanut butter and brown sugar in his, Jeremy just sugar.

 My story is that last week I read a recipe over at everday with peggy that uses Nutella smashed between a couple of white chocolate chip cookies. The recipe looks divine, so this week I picked up a jar of Nutella so I could try it out. We have never eaten Nutella before. .I didn't even know what it was (it's hazelnut butter mixed with cocoa powder) Needless to say, that we were eating it straight out of the jar with our fingers. .ALL of us!! I put a spoonful of that in my oatmeal this morning. .delicious.

I also found a recipe for a no-knead bread using the oats. .which I would like to try soon as well. The dough has to sit out on the counter for about 18 hours after mixed up. Then it still takes a time frame of 3-4 hours that I need to be home watching it before it becomes bread. But, I love oatmeal bread. .and I'll bet the flavor rocks!

The bottom line is. .we like Steel Cut Oats! I think I will add them to a Sunday night breakfast menu on a regular basis! Another food marked off my "gotta try" foodie bucket list!
Enjoy your first full weekend of fall!!


Irish Oatmeal Brulee
8 cups milk
2 cups steel-cut oats
1 cinnamon stick (I used two)
1 orange peel strip (I used 2 tsp grated orange peel that I keep in my freezer)
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup maple syrup
buttermilk, optional
1/2 cup packed brown sugar

In large saucepan brung milk to boil. Add oats, cinnamon and orange peel. Reduce heat; simmer for 30 minutes or until thick and creamy, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, discard cinnamon. Stir in cranberries, raisins, syrup and buttermilk if desired. Cover and let stand for 2 minutes. Transfer to 8 ungreased ramekins. Place on baking sheet; sprinkle with brown sugar. Broil 8 inches from the heat for 4-7 minutes or until sugar is carmelized. Serve immediately.

11 comments:

  1. Yum!
    We recently tried Nutella for the first time too, and were eating it straight from the jar. However, the little nutritional value box on the back ruined it for me! OUCH! ;)

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  2. Oh, oh oh! That does sound good! That is interesting...the dried cranberries sound really good in oatmeal. I just told my son that I was reading how you put Nutella in your oatmeal and that he should try it...he said "oh ya!!!" We just tried Nutella about a year ago for the first time. I have seen it on the shelf for years, but just never tried it. My kids now love it! For my son's 13th birthday, I bought the largest jar at the grocery store and put it on his night stand so he would see it as soon as he woke up! His brother was like "Can you do that for me too on my birthday?!" Yes...I can do that for you too!

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  3. Yum! I want to try the crock pot trick. Does it matter what size or just one you can fit a bowl with the ingredients into? Were those amounts to feed a family of 6? I may need a smaller batch. The Nutella trick sounds good too. Hmmm.

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  4. Nutella is da BOMB! I only let myself buy it once a year cuz it drains me of all self control! Know what else is good? Dark Chocolate Dreams, made by Peanut Butter & Co. It's chocolate pb..if your stores don't have it, I'll send you some! I'm glad to know you like those recipes..I've been waiting to try out a crock pot recipe like the one you did, and I feel better knowing someone tried it and liked it.

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  5. GonSS. .I actually doubled the recipe for the crock pot..using a little less water than called for, cause my bowl was full. It worked fine! And, with the oatmeal brulee, the leftovers reheated in the microwave very well!! So, it may be good for you to do the whole recipe and reheat!! I used my biggest crock pot and scrambled for a bowl to use inside of it and let the lid shut too. Dana. .I will have to look for the Dark Chocolate dreams. .sounds yummy!!

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  6. NutellA is best when eaten on crepes paper thin right under the eifel tower in Paris....the second crepe after all the climbing is even better...the steam on your glasses because it is so cold in Paris that particular spring is so worth it...that is how I was introduced to the most amazing chocolate product in a jar....for now I settle for toast or spoons.....mmmmm mmmmmm

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  7. So far I have managed NOT to succumb to the Nutella craze. It's one of those things I just refuse to put in my shopping cart!

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  8. This sounds delish! I love oatmeal plus it's good for you. I really need to try this but I'll have to cut it down for sure.
    I could also take it to work on those day we all share food.
    Thanks so much for the comment you made. Your so kind.

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  9. These oats recipes sound good. LOL on the Nutella, I consider it like "healthy chocolate frosting!" I like it on bagels and English muffins, among other things. Thanks again for sharing the recipes!

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  10. Nutella and steel cut oats are two of my favorites. The brulee recipe looks so good! My jar of Nutella is almost empty and I'm holding myself back from buying the extra large two-pack at Costco. It is WAY too good.

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  11. Glenns bulk food just out side of hutch on 50 is the place to get all the steel cut oats you want! Happy eating. DJ

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