the quest for the perfect easy bowl of oatmeal

[bmccasland]

Not too long ago was a thread about cooking oatmeal. Me, being a biologist and all, had to contuct a scientific experiment.... This was in the name of science afterall.
The oats - steel cut, what else?
Methods of cooking: traditional simmer on the stove, crockpot (and I have to get those liners for my non-removal crock), and boil/let sit.

Simmer on the stove - you have to stir it, otherwise it burns which is Not Good. Stir - labor intensive. Low simmer and ignore - burned.

Crock pot - follow the recipe, add dried fruit to satisfaction, cook on low overnight. Result: creamy oats, really soft fruit. I happen to like the nutty texture of steel oats, and this did get somewhat creamy. But not like rolled oats. If you're cooking for a family - this would be my method of choice. Hot oats for all in the morning, little fuss.

Bring to boil, cover, and let sit overnight. I really like this one. Of course the oats are cold in the morning, so you have to portion out and reheat in the microwave. I put in dried fruit when I brought the whole thing to a boil, and the fruit didn't get real soft. Also the pot is easier to clean than if I did the simmer and stir method.

Preferred method after this highly scientific experiment: bring to boil, cover, and sit overnight.

Bonne Appetite!

[Dianyla]

There's yet another option to try. I've done this when camping.

Soak steel-cut oats overnight in water, then cook in the morning.

[hellosunshine]

ashamed to say i microwave.time is money when youre self employed!

[bcipam]

Funny Oatmeal story...

A number of years ago I was on a Backroads Camping trip. 6 days riding through Oregon. On the 5th day, after sleeping 6 nights on the ground, I was in a mood. Tired, sore and just down right grumpy.

The offering that morning was oatmeal. Just not my favorite and worse yet, no milk, or sugar to make it better. They offered some raisins thats it. UGH.

All the way back to the picnic bench I was grumbling about this stupid bowl of oatmeal. As I was sitting down on the bench, between two other cyclists, the 3 people on the other side got up, as I sat, the bench started to tip over. The people on either side of me were able to bail. Being in the middle and holding a bowl of oatmeal, I could not. The table continued over sideways, the bowl ended up flying up in the air and as I landed on my back with a big "THUMP" the oatmeal came down and landed right in my crotch! I'm sure it was a pretty site to behold. The other riders got quite a laugh. Ha Ha on me.

Anyway that was an omen for the day. That was my last pair of clean shorts and I had to wash them out and wear them wet to start the ride (the day started out 40 degrees BTW). Within an hour of starting I got a flat and had difficulty patching the tube (I was out of spares), and later that day, in a race to catch up to the other riders, I had an encounter with some railroad tracks and had a serious accident... so as you can see...

I don't do OATMEAL!

[margo49]

Soak overnight in cold water
Then simmer a minute or two
Never microwave - it desroys something I am sure
And most important - salt not sugar (Scottish background)

[spokewench]

I have German Mennonite background and we never added sugar either (I still dont)

[java]

If I'm in a hurry I use instant. Slice up a banana, put it in the bowl, dump the instant over the banana and add boiling water. Top with a little soy milk and I'm good to go.

If I"m not in a hurry though, I prefer steel cut.

[Barb]

Don't know what it is about my grocery stores, but I can't find anything but quaker or store brand. I really wanna try some steel cut, but can't find it. Give me some brand names please? Maybe I can call some whole food stores and check it out. Unfortunately our whole food stores + $$$$

BTW..I'm baack! Fisrt post in ages!

[Tuckervill]

Barb, I live in Wal-Mart land (the real one--near Bentonville, AR), so no one within 30 miles has steel cut oats (although Wal-Mart's organic and "not found in Arkansas" selection is growing--I can get cous-cous, now, but not capers in my local Wal-Mart). But I happened to be in funky Fayetteville when I found steel cut oats--in the little health food boutique section of the grocery store closest to the only food co-op in the area.

What I'm trying to say is, try the health food store, or the regular store closest to the health food store!

Karen

[surgtech1956]

I'm in the mood for oatmeal. Usually buy the Quick Oats, don't eat the instant anymore. I finally found Steel Cut Oats at a local health food store, going to make some in the crock pot this weekend.

[kelownagirl]

Didn't read all the replies - sorry, but just wanted to add a variation of your plan. 1/4 steel cut oats, 1 cup boiling water into thermos. Put on lid, sit on counter overnight. Still warm in the morning although I nuke it for 20-30 seconds to warm it up more. The thermos will have a slimy coating inside but no dried on oatmeal and it cleans up with hot water and soap, no scrubbing.

Not too long ago was a thread about cooking oatmeal. Me, being a biologist and all, had to contuct a scientific experiment.... This was in the name of science afterall.
The oats - steel cut, what else?
Methods of cooking: traditional simmer on the stove, crockpot (and I have to get those liners for my non-removal crock), and boil/let sit.

Simmer on the stove - you have to stir it, otherwise it burns which is Not Good. Stir - labor intensive. Low simmer and ignore - burned.

Crock pot - follow the recipe, add dried fruit to satisfaction, cook on low overnight. Result: creamy oats, really soft fruit. I happen to like the nutty texture of steel oats, and this did get somewhat creamy. But not like rolled oats. If you're cooking for a family - this would be my method of choice. Hot oats for all in the morning, little fuss.

Bring to boil, cover, and let sit overnight. I really like this one. Of course the oats are cold in the morning, so you have to portion out and reheat in the microwave. I put in dried fruit when I brought the whole thing to a boil, and the fruit didn't get real soft. Also the pot is easier to clean than if I did the simmer and stir method.

Preferred method after this highly scientific experiment: bring to boil, cover, and sit overnight.

Bonne Appetite!

[Aquila]

I'm another microwaver: 1/2 cup oats, 3/4 cup water, 45 seconds in the microwave, stir, add raisins, another 45 seconds in the microwave. Add milk, cream, sweetener, whatever and it's a good breakfast that sticks with me for hours. I cover the bowl with a small plate to keep things from going all over.

[Blueberry]

Has anybody tried the fuzzy logic rice cooker? I've heard it works well, but haven't seen the specifics...

CA

[NbyNW]

Has anybody tried the fuzzy logic rice cooker? I've heard it works well, but haven't seen the specifics...

CA

I have one, but the only thing I've ever cooked in it is rice. I think my little sis has done steel cut in hers, but this may have come up in conversation once five years ago, and my memory is fuzzy . . .

I use a small thermos for my oats when I don't have time to stand over a stove during the week. Can't stand instant. I use rolled oats here, but I am also a fan of steel cut, which I have not tried in the thermos as someone else did above.

Night before: 1/4 cu. rolled oats plus a bit of brown sugar, chopped walnuts, or flax seed, or whatever other dry ingredients I'm in the mood for, and maybe a pinch of sea salt.

Morning: fill with hot water from the thermal pot (really cool gadget that boils water then keeps it at 203 degrees -- available at any asian grocery store), and stir in a pat of butter. Seal thermos and put in pannier.

My commute is about half an hour, so oatmeal is ready by the time I get to work. I sometimes add a little bit of milk when I get there.

[Bruno28]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/...ds/7665854.stm