Ten Minute Steel-Cut Oatmeal

by Eva Katz©

Serves 4

Nutrition per serving (without toppings) – calories: 75

fat: 1g (saturated: 0g, unsaturated: 1g), carbohydrates: 14g, protein: 3g, fiber: 2g, sugar: 1g

The oatmeal will continue to thicken as it cools: if you prefer a looser consistency, thin the oatmeal out with boiling water.

• 4 cups water

• 1 cup steel-cut oats

• ¼ teaspoon salt

Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat. Remove pan from heat; stir in oats and salt. Cover pan and let stand overnight.

Stir remaining 1 cup water into oats and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until oats are softened but still retain some chew and mixture thickens and resembles warm pudding, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove pan from heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir and serve passing desired toppings separately.

Customize your oatmeal

• Dried Fruits: If you add dried fruits to the boiling liquid at the same time you add the oats, they will plump up and become nice and juicy!

• Fresh Fruits: Heartier, crisper fresh fruits like apple chunks or pear pieces can be added to the oats while cooking to make them softer and more tender (unless of course, you prefer them to be crunchy). Soft Fruits, like berries can be added in after cooking.

• Nut Butters: After you cook the oats, but as soon as you take them off the heat, try adding a small scoop of your favorite nut butter. Any nut butter (peanut, cashew, almond) will add flavor and protein to your oats.

• Toasted Nuts and Seeds

• Shredded Coconut

• Spice: ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves

• Vanilla or Almond Extract: This should be added just after cooking, but keep in mind that a little goes a long way.