Steel Cut Oats

I heard about steel cut oats a few months ago, but never bought them because they are so expensive. It is $7 for a 1 lb container at my local grocery store. The main difference between steel cut oats and rolled oats is the way that they are processed. Steel cut oats are simply the whole oat kernel, cut into small pieces. The are tubular in shape and result in a nuttier tasting oatmeal. Rolled oats have been steamed and then sent through a roller to be flattened. Because both are the same nutritionally, you need to base your decision on other factors.

1. Steel cut oats are significantly more expensive than rolled oats.

2. Steel cut oats are a whole grain with minimal processing, so they take longer to cook and longer to digest. This is both a good and bad thing. They are more work to prepare, but they keep you fuller longer.

3. Steel cut oats don't get all slimy after they are cooked. In fact, you can leave a pan of cooked steel cut oats in the fridge for up to a week, and the consistency won't change.

I prefer steel cut oats to rolled oats. They just taste so much better to me. I was lucky because Aldi's carried them at a fraction of the cost a few months ago. I bought 10 containers and put them in my food storage. You can also buy a 50lb bag from Honeyville Grain (http://store.honeyvillegrain.com/search.aspx?find=steel+cut+oats) for $58. This is a little over $1.16/lb compared to the $7/lb at most grocery stores.

Steel cut oats need to cook for at least 20-30 minutes on the stove. There is a quick trick a friend taught me, that makes the cooking so simple.

Boil 4.5 cups water. Add 1/2 tsp salt. Add 2 cups steel cut oats to the boiling water. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and put a cover with a lid. Let it sit covered overnight. In the morning you just scoop some into a bowl and then pop it in the microwave for a few minutes. Put the rest of the covered pot in the fridge and scoop out as needed throughout the week.

Whether you prefer steel cut or rolled oats, oatmeal is a fantastic food that lowers cholesterol, promotes weight loss, and is packed with nutrients. Everyone should make it a regular part of their diet.