An Ode to Oats

Steel cut oats, that is.  Not rolled, and not quick oats, but the kind of oats that are knobby, pebbly and hardly friendly-looking. But I love them, and I eat them almost every morning.  

Steel cut oats make for a sturdy meal; a meal that takes its time on the stove, and doesn’t mind waiting for my bleary eyes to wake up. It’s a porridge that gently bubbles away for half an hour, while sip on coffee and peruse the news.

Steel cut oats can take on any personality: With a handful of coconut, some chunks of dried pineapple, and a good spoonful of dark, dark sugar, it’s nearly a dessert. Or throw in a handful of nutty granola and some cinnamon just before serving, you end up with good texture and wholesomeness. Or make it savory, with a pinch of salt, simmered with herbs, and knob of butter right at the end to round it out.  Maybe a spot of cream, too.

There’s a constant, though. For one serving, you need ¼ cup of oats, and a cup of water. Bring it to a boil, then down to the lowest fathomable simmer for half an hour. But those are really the only rules.

That picture, up there, it’s not really a porridge. It’s closer to a loose pilaf. But the principle is exactly the same: ¼ cup oats, a cup of water, and a half hour of simmering.

It’s quickly become one of my favourite ways to eat steel cut oats.  Feel free to play with the ingredients. Here, there are more veggies than there are oats. That makes plateful, rather than a bowlful. But you can easily make the reverse.

Oats with Kale and Mushrooms

Serves one as a hefty breakfast

A knob of butter

A handful of mushrooms, wiped clean and sliced

A pinch of grated nutmeg

Salt and pepper, to taste

Kale, 5 or 6 leaves, roughly chopped and tough stems discarded

¼ cup steel cut oats

1 cup water

In a wide sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until tender. Add numeg, salt and pepper.

Now add the kale, and sauté until it’s just starting to wilt.

Now add the oats and the water. Bring to a full boil, and immediately down to a low simmer.  Cook uncovered, keeping an eye on the oatmeal, and giving it an occasional stir. The oatmeal is ready with the grain is tender, and all the water is gone. Heap onto a plate, and eat it while it’s still piping hot.