For me, it's steel-cut oats all the way. If you've never had them, you're in for a treat. Waffled and served with an easy berry compote, the taste and texture are unbeatable.
This recipe for pan-seared oatmeal is what got me started on the idea. Anytime I see "pan-seared," you can imagine where my mind goes. ("Direct high heat? Crispy exterior? Hmm...")
Steel-cut oats do take longer to prepare than typical rolled oats, but the beauty of this method is that the oats are designed to be made ahead of time. (See note below.)
Waffled Steel-Cut Oats
Note: The oats should be prepared ahead of time — as much as two days beforehand — and left to chill in the refrigerator. The preparation time below assumes prepared oats.
Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup steel-cut oats
Nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
2 tablespoons maple syrup
Powdered sugar, for serving
- Prepare the oats: Combine the milk, water, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and then stir in the oats. Reduce the heat and stir occasionally, simmering 20 minutes or until thick.
- Spoon the oats into a loaf pan or shallow baking dish coated with cooking spray. Cool the oats to room temperature and then cover and chill them for at least 1 hour, or until solid and sliceable.
- Use a knife to cut the oats into squares, wedges or rectangles suitable for waffling. (Don't make the portions too big or they'll be difficult to remove intact from the waffle iron once waffled.)
- Preheat the waffle iron on medium.
- Coat both sides of the waffle iron with nonstick spray and then place the oats onto the waffle iron. Close the lid and waffle for 3 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium-low heat or in the microwave, heat the berries with the maple syrup until warm.
- When the oats show waffling marks and develop a crunchy exterior, remove them from the waffle iron, place them on a plate and top them with the fruit mixture.
- Repeat Steps 5 through 7 for any remaining oats.
- Garnish with powered sugar.
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