I just received my latest issue of Cooks Illustrated. And in it is an article on oatmeal. I got excited for a moment; but only for a moment. You see, they left out the best (and easiest) (and least expensive, even!) way to prepare oatmeal. They tested, in their own very elaborate and extensive way, Steel Cut Oats, Rolled Oats, and Stone Ground Oats.
There was nothing about Whole Oats!
Shana and I (and even Micah for the last few months) have had whole oat oatmeal every weekday morning since about last summer. It is incredibly healthy, super easy, and the least expensive way to get your oats on. oh yeah, they taste vastly better.
So here's the way we do it:
(The only catch is that you need a crock pot)
The night before (takes about 2 minutes):
- measure out 1 part whole oat to 4 parts water and add to the crockpot
(We make 1 cup of oats to 4 cups of water and it makes 2 large portions and a good baby portion
Turn the crockpot on 'Keep Warm' or 'Low'
Go to sleep
The next morning (takes about 5 minutes, or 8 with a 1 year old hanging off you):
- Wake up to a wonderfully smelling kitchen
Add 2 tablespoons of freshly ground flax seeds
Add 1/4 cup of frozen blueberries (or i dice up a fresh apple or i add home made applesauce, it just depends on what we have)
Add about 2 teaspoons of salt
Add Maple Syrup to taste
Add about a quarter cup of raisins
You could also add partially ground almonds or walnuts to enhance health and tastiness!
Stir and Eat
It really is that easy. TO make it even more decadent (on the mornings that one of us gets up early to run or something.) Once the oatmeal is portioned into bowls, add a small pat of real butter and a splash of raw milk.
Variations that have worked for us:
Adding cinnamon, ground ginger, vanilla, or making a Chunky Monkey oatmeal (bananas, chocolate chips and walnuts!!)
Please let us know if you've tried this, or if you have questions or decide to try it....
It is definitely worth it!
-Jason
(I am thinking about writing my first ever letter to Cooks Illustrated...)
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