Oats are a whole grain and can be processed different ways. In order from least to most processed are: whole groats, steel cut oats, rolled oats, quick oats, and instant. Whole groats aren't practical for most people, but they will give the longest sustained energy.

Steel cut oats are a close second in nutrition, and cook in about 15 minutes provided, and this is a big condition, you SOAK them overnight before breakfast. Unsoaked, they'll easily take 30-45 minutes, which most people don't have in the morning.

Rolled oats come in different thicknesses--hearty or thick is just what it says, and takes a little more time to cook than the standard Quaker rolled thin, which takes about 5 minutes to cook on the stovetop, a little less time in the microwave.

Quick oats are thinly rolled oats cut up into smaller pieces, with more surface area, so they cook more quickly, in about 3 minutes on the stovetop, or less in the microwave.

Instant oats are just that--pour hot water over and nuke only briefly or not at all. Instant oatmeal is the lowest in nutritional value.

Basic Steel Cut Oats Instructions

From Bob’s Red Mill

1 cup Steel Cut Oats

3 cups Water

¼ teaspoon Salt

Bring water and salt to a boil. Add oats, reduce heat, and cook 10-20 minutes (depending on how chewy you like your cereal). Stir occasionally. Cover and remove from heat and let stand for a few minutes. Makes 3 cups of cereal.

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Peach Steel Cut Oats

You can freeze or refrigerate and reheat these

3 c steel cut oats

8 c water

16 oz bag frozen peach slices, or other frozen fruit

2 cinnamon sticks

Combine all in crockpot; cook on low overnight, 8-10 hours. Remove sticks and sweeten to taste. Yields 8 (1 cup) servings

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Stove Top Steel Cut Oats

4 cups water (bring to boil)

2 cups steel cut oats (add after water is boiling)

Simmer 10-12 minutes stirring occasionally. (Oats are sticky so I use a silicon spatula for stirring.)

After the oats have simmered 10-12 minutes, add 1 cup skim milk. Let the oats heat to simmer again; remove from heat. I add a little fresh grated nutmeg, stevia (an all natural sweetener, available in organic food section), a little sea salt (important to add after the oats have cooked to maintain maximum creaminess) and real vanilla.

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Crockpot Steel Cut Oats

1 cup Steel cut oats

4 cups milk

2 cinnamon sticks

1 tsp or so of vanilla

Spray crockpot with Pam, combine all ingredients and cook on low for 3 hours (stir a few times in last 1/2 hour of cooking). Remove cinnamon sticks before serving.

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Crockpot Steel Cut Oats 2

1 cup steel oats

4 cups water

1 cut up apple

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup Log Cabin SF syrup

2 TBSP dried cranberries

1 tsp cinnamon

Put all ingredients in the crockpot on low before going to sleep and turn on low...wake up to the house smelling heavenly!

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Crockpot Steel Cut Oats 3

4 cups skim milk

2 apples, diced

1 cup steel cut oats

Cinnamon, nutmeg and/or apple pie spice to taste(I use 1 tsp cinnamon)

1/4 cup Brown Sugar Twin or Splenda brown sugar blend

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Spray inside of crockpot with cooking spray. Place all ingredients in crockpot and stir. Cover. Cook on low overnight for 8-10 hrs.

I also will add raisins or dried cranberries (about 2 -4 tablespoons)

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Overnight Oatmeal

Servings: 4 (about 1 to 1 1/2 cups)

1 cup Steel cut oats

1 cup dried cranberries

3 cups water

1 1/2 cups 2% low-fat milk

1/4 cup chopped pecans

2 packets Splenda

1 t. cinnamon

1 t. vanilla

1 large Granny Smith apple, chopped

In a slow cooker, combine all ingredients and set to low heat. Cover and let cook for 8 to 9 hours. Stir and remove to serving bowls.

This method works best if started before you go to bed. This way your oatmeal will be finished by morning.

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Steel Cut Oats Overnight on the Stove

Bring 1 cup of steel cut oats and 4 cups of water to boil; remove from heat. Cover and let stand overnight. Warm through in the AM.

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