Quick, Healthy, Easy & YUM: Gluten, Dairy, Egg & Nut-Free Steel Cut Oats!
Do you ever grow tired of your breakfast routine? If I'm honest, I have to say that breakfast hangs out on the "most boring meal of the day" shelf at our house quite a bit. And, when my kids constantly gravitate toward what's quick (and, consequently, not the healthiest choice), for breakfast, it becomes the one meal that I long to shake up the most.
So, when a friend of mine turned me on to her super easy and healthy breakfast staple while our families vacationed together a few years ago, I was intrigued. Her secret - steel cut oatmeal. But, the kicker is that she didn't stand over a stove and tend to her oatmeal for 30 minutes (like I'd done when I tried steel cut oats previously). She put her ingredients in a slow cooker the night before, set it, and woke up to a piping hot and delicious breakfast the next morning.
So, I took her idea and I started playing around with it... only to discover that there were a million ways someone could make this dish their own. If you like fruit on your oatmeal, you can add berries, apples or anything else that strikes you. How about some sweetness? I love a touch of maple syrup in mine, but brown sugar, agave or Stevia would all be perfect additions, as well. What about throwing in some seeds for crunch, or a scoop of Sunbutter for some extra protein? The options are endless and there's not a kid in the world who won't enjoy having some fun and creativity with their oats!
One other thing to keep in mind... If you're thinking I'm crazy posting this recipe in the middle of June, I want to assure you that this is not just a cold weather food. Sure a warm bowl of oatmeal will warm you up on a chilly morning, but it will get your your day off right all year round. In fact, this slow cooker gem has been on rotation in my house all summer so far. There's no better time to give it a try than right now - I promise!
Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats
*1 cup steel cut oatmeal
2 cups water
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
Set on low for 7-8 hours and stir well once cooked.
Add your favorite toppings like fruit, seeds and/or sweetener (brown sugar, maple syrup, agave, etc.) and ENJOY!
*If you are gluten-free, make sure that you use a brand that is certified g-free, as some brands may contain traces of wheat.
One last note: If you want to make a double recipe, this freezes very well. Just be sure to divide your leftovers into small portions before freezing, so that you have the perfect amount in the morning; all you'll have to do is defrost and re-heat in the microwave when you are ready!
