How to Fix Steelcut Oatmeal at Altitudes

Rolled oats, while faster to prepare, lack the texture and consistency of steelcut oats

Steelcut oats are a delicious luxury that have recently begun to enjoy a resurgence in popularity. While rolled oats provide convenience, they lack the flavor and consistency of steelcut oats. Unfortunately, these take far longer to prepare, requiring at least thirty minutes to cook under normal conditions. Altitude further complicates this, requiring the addition of twenty five percent more water and simmering time. The use of a crock pot or rice cooker, makes the cooking of steelcut oats at high altitudes a breeze.

Things You'll Need

• 4 cups of water
• 1 cup of steelcut oats
• Mesh strainer
• Crock pot or rice cooker

Instructions

1. Wash the steelcut oats under cold running water. This removes any undesirable particulate matter.

2. Add oats and water to your crock pot or electric rice cooker.

3. Mix thoroughly to prevent clumping or hot spots.

4. Set crock pot to warm overnight. If using a rice maker, set the electric timer to start the rice cooker two hours before breakfast. When you wake in the morning, your steelcut oats will be warm and ready to eat.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have a crock pot or rice cooker, steelcut oats can be prepared on the stove. Use the same ration of four cups of water to one cup oats, bringing the mixture to boil in a pot. Once boiling, cover and turn off the stove, leaving the oats in the pan. In the morning, simply reheat the cooked oats in the same pan before eating.

• Do not use a rice cooker without an electric wall timer. The warm setting on a rice cooker is higher than that of a crock pot and will burn the oats.

References

• "The Rocky Mountain Cookbook"; Caroline Trask Norton; 1903
• Hot tip: cooking steelcut oats
• Steelcut oatmeal: stop the mess