Great tasting oatmeal doesn't need to come in a packet

America's Test Kitchen

February 6, 2019 11:15:49 AM

If you think oatmeal comes in a packet, think again.

They know about oatmeal in Ireland and Scotland, where whole-grain, steel-cut oats are popular. Yes, these slightly chewy oats take longer to cook than old-fashioned rolled oats (and way longer than instant oats in a packet), but the results are so much better.

To shorten the usual half-hour cooking time, start the process at night and then finish up in the morning. Follow this recipe with your kids.

OVERNIGHT OATMEAL WITH RAISINS AND BROWN SUGAR

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes, plus overnight resting time

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Prepare ingredients:

3 cups plus 1 cup water, measured separately

1 cup steel-cut oats

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup raisins

3 tablespoons packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Gather cooking equipment:

Large saucepan with lid

Wooden spoon or rubber spatula

■ In large saucepan, bring 3 cups water to boil over high heat. Turn off heat and slide saucepan to cool burner. Stir in oats and salt. Cover saucepan with lid and let sit overnight.

■ In morning, stir remaining 1 cup water into saucepan with oats and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture is creamy and oats are tender but chewy, 4 to 6 minutes.

■ Turn off heat and slide saucepan to cool burner. Stir in raisins, sugar, butter, and cinnamon. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes. Serve.

Make it your way

If you don't like raisins and cinnamon, try these fun flavor combinations.

■ Banana and Brown Sugar Oatmeal: Use 2 chopped ripe bananas instead of raisins. Leave out cinnamon.

■ Blueberry and Almond Oatmeal: Use 1/2 cup blueberries instead of raisins. Use 2 tablespoons almond butter instead of butter and cinnamon. Add 1/2 cup sliced almonds to oatmeal along with blueberries.

■ Toasted Coconut Oatmeal: Use 1 cup canned coconut milk instead of water. Use 1/2 cup toasted unsweetened flaked coconut instead of raisins. Leave out butter and cinnamon.

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