I hate steel cut oats!

pretentiouskate
pretentiouskate Posts: 186
edited September 25 in Food and Nutrition
I don't know if its the brand (Country Organics) or what, but I can't get them anywhere near soft without them burning to the pan! I feel like I'm eating hamster pellets!

I'm switching over from instant oatmeal, so I know there's going to be a consistency difference, but these are just BAD. No one else I live with will eat them - even my boyfriend, who'll eat anything.
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Replies

  • 3LittleMonkeys
    3LittleMonkeys Posts: 373 Member
    What is the water to oats ratio you are using?

    I make mine in a pressure cooker.

    eta - Instant oats are yucky IMHO. Steel Cut are going to be chewier than what you are use to. But you can make them creamier with a higher water to oats ratio.

    You can also make them in the crockpot.
  • therobinator
    therobinator Posts: 832 Member
    Have you tried cooking them in the microwave? There's no worries about burning or sticking to the pan, when you use a microwave. My only advice if using a microwave is *not* to use a plastic container....as the oats will "climb" up the sides as they cook and end up spilling over and you'll have a sticky microwave mess lol....just use a regular ceramic type cereal bowl (same one you will eat the oats out of works just fine).
  • pretentiouskate
    pretentiouskate Posts: 186
    I'm following the package directions for 4 cups water to 1 cup uncooked oats.
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    I don't know if its the brand (Country Organics) or what, but I can't get them anywhere near soft without them burning to the pan! I feel like I'm eating hamster pellets!

    I'm switching over from instant oatmeal, so I know there's going to be a consistency difference, but these are just BAD. No one else I live with will eat them - even my boyfriend, who'll eat anything.

    Cook them overnight in a crock pot or rice cooker.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    I don't know if its the brand (Country Organics) or what, but I can't get them anywhere near soft without them burning to the pan! I feel like I'm eating hamster pellets!

    I'm switching over from instant oatmeal, so I know there's going to be a consistency difference, but these are just BAD. No one else I live with will eat them - even my boyfriend, who'll eat anything.

    Try quick oats. They are better for you than instant and almost as quick and they are part of the "Eat Clean Diet"
  • pretentiouskate
    pretentiouskate Posts: 186
    Have you tried cooking them in the microwave? There's no worries about burning or sticking to the pan, when you use a microwave. My only advice if using a microwave is *not* to use a plastic container....as the oats will "climb" up the sides as they cook and end up spilling over and you'll have a sticky microwave mess lol....just use a regular ceramic type cereal bowl (same one you will eat the oats out of works just fine).

    I do quick or instant oats in the microwave but the steel cut don't have directions - I honestly didn't think to try it.
  • happy115
    happy115 Posts: 68
    I love steel cut oat, and I use the brand you do. I cook it over very low heat, at about 1:2 ratio (oat to water), sometimes add a little more water or liquid if it's not enough and stirring every so often. I cook them for a good 20-30 minutes the night before, then when I wake up, I add a little almond milk (1/3 cup) - nuke for another minute, top off with 1 tablespoon wheat germ, almonds and blueberries.
  • GoBanana76
    GoBanana76 Posts: 76 Member
    Try Quaker Old Fashioned Oats...They are super easy and quick - just pop in the microwave....
  • wiggleroom
    wiggleroom Posts: 322 Member
    I use Coach's Oats -- they're steel cut, but toasted so they cook faster and have a more pleasing texture/flavor. I use the microwave (I use a plastic bowl, but a really big one so they don't overflow). Four minutes at 70% power.

    (I get them at Costco, and they wind up being less expensive than even regular oats, since you start with 1/3 cup dry instead of 1/2 cup.)
  • bridgetteamie
    bridgetteamie Posts: 3
    I had a hard time with these at first as well. I tried the McCann's brand (Irish oatmeal, or steel-cut Irish oatmeal) and I have had much better luck with this and really enjoy it. I make it the night before, using the 1 cup oats/4 cups water ratio. I boil the water, add the oats, stir, then put it in the fridge. It soaks up all the water overnight. In the morning I heat it up slowly and add some honey and cinnamon to give it some more smoothness. It is still a thicker consistency then instant or Quaker oatmeal but it's much better, less crunchy, when I cook it as I described. Good luck, its an adjustment I know!
  • therobinator
    therobinator Posts: 832 Member
    Try quick oats. They are better for you than instant

    Um, how are instant oats any less good for you than other oats? Carb for carb, protein for protein, calorie for calorie, etc....they are all the same as long as you are buying *plain* (unflavored, unsugared) oats. Go to www.quakeroats.com and see for yourself.
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    I don't know if its the brand (Country Organics) or what, but I can't get them anywhere near soft without them burning to the pan! I feel like I'm eating hamster pellets!

    I'm switching over from instant oatmeal, so I know there's going to be a consistency difference, but these are just BAD. No one else I live with will eat them - even my boyfriend, who'll eat anything.

    Try quick oats. They are better for you than instant and almost as quick and they are part of the "Eat Clean Diet"

    The Eat Clean Diet is not very clean eating if it says that quick oats are an allowable part of that plan. Still finding ways to sneak in overly processed foods when Clean Eating is based on the least processed or no processed foods.
  • Aitenev
    Aitenev Posts: 62
    I use Country Choice Organic also but I get the "quick cook" version that cooks in less than 10 minutes and they turn out perfect!
  • therobinator
    therobinator Posts: 832 Member
    I do quick or instant oats in the microwave but the steel cut don't have directions - I honestly didn't think to try it.

    Just cook until they're as soft as you want them.....I'd start with about 3 or 4 minutes and work up (or down) from there.
  • hpsnickers1
    hpsnickers1 Posts: 2,783 Member
    There's not a big enough difference between rolled oats and steel cut outs as far as nutrition so either one is good. You should research it online.

    I have found Old Wessex Natural Whole Grain Oats. They have Instant and Irish (5 min. cooking time). I love the Irish oats because they stay kind of chewy and don't get mushy.
  • Tamiash
    Tamiash Posts: 106 Member
    The next best is 100 % Rolled oats. They are better than intant or quick. Cook nice in the micowave in a ceramic bowl. You shouldn't use plastic in the mic for anything.
  • Buckeyt
    Buckeyt Posts: 473 Member
    The directions say 4 cups of water to 1 cup of oats, to me that's way off. I use 4 cups to 1/2 cup of oats.

    Bring water to a boil, add oats and let boil for 5 minutes or so. Turn the heat way down and simmer for 20+ minutes, stirring occasionally. They turn out great. I eat them with a really ripe banana (for the sweetness) and a cup of blueberries

    Tim
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    Try quick oats. They are better for you than instant

    Um, how are instant oats any less good for you than other oats? Carb for carb, protein for protein, calorie for calorie, etc....they are all the same as long as you are buying *plain* (unflavored, unsugared) oats. Go to www.quakeroats.com and see for yourself.

    Of course quaker oats is going to say that instant is ok for you...........

    Instant oats are very processed.
    Quick oats are pretty processed
    Old Fashioned oats are a bit less processed
    Steel Cut Oats are the way to go, the least processed food of them all. That is why they take so long to cook, but much higher in nutrition and cleaner than any of the above.

    Also, instant oats don't contain as much fiber because they are more processed. Steel cut oats have more fiber and are the least processed.

    It all depends on the goal you are trying to reach in your eating. I don't eat grains very much these days, but if I do eat oatmeal, it is going to be steel cut oats.
  • emrogers
    emrogers Posts: 328 Member
    I soak mine overnight. Its easier and I just scoop out every morning how much I want.
    Put them in a container and add either water, almond milk, or fat free milk and I put some nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla extract, whatever you like and let them sit. Scoop out in the morning and add your fruit!
  • NoAdditives
    NoAdditives Posts: 4,251 Member
    I don't even eat oatmeal, which is sad because I actually like it. But it's got way too many calories and isn't filling.
  • LJCannon
    LJCannon Posts: 3,636 Member
    I use Silver Palate Steel Cut Oats and cook them for 9 minutes at half power in the microwave. By cutting the power to half you have less "Boil Over" problem. You can also do them overnight in the Crock Pot. Makes them seem almost "Instant" in the morning. I do add a little more water than the box calls for.
  • HealthierMamasita
    HealthierMamasita Posts: 1,126 Member
    I love quick cook steel cut oats. It comes out just fine in the microwave. Try switching to quick cook instead. If you still don't like it, go to regular oatmeal.
  • AdamATGATT
    AdamATGATT Posts: 573 Member
    I use rolled oats. 1/2 cup + 1 cup water, in the microwave. Ceramic bowl, covered with paper towel. Important to cover it!

    1 minute on high, stir. 1 minute on high, stir. 1 more minite on high (watch carefully, as even when covered, the oats have tended to creep up), stir and serve. Really nice and creamy. I use the Red Mill brand, organic old fashioned.

    I love to toss in some fruit when its ready. Banana is my favorite.
  • pretentiouskate
    pretentiouskate Posts: 186
    I'm not planning on switching over to instant or even quick oats - I had quick oats yesterday and the smushyness of them was just gross. I'm going to try soaking the steel cut oats overnight, and if that doesn't work I'll try microwaving them! Thanks for all of the suggestions!
    I don't even eat oatmeal, which is sad because I actually like it. But it's got way too many calories and isn't filling.

    I do find it filling but I usually eat something else within a couple of hours - usually a protein. My mornings are pretty condensed.
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    I don't even eat oatmeal, which is sad because I actually like it. But it's got way too many calories and isn't filling.

    150 calories for a 1/2 cup serving of a food that most people find very filling is not a lot of calories. Pair it with some almonds, fruit and a splash of whole milk should keep everyone full for hours on end.
  • therobinator
    therobinator Posts: 832 Member
    Also, instant oats don't contain as much fiber because they are more processed. Steel cut oats have more fiber and are the least processed.

    I'm sorry but this is incorrect.

    40 grams of Old Fashioned Oats has 4 grams of fiber.
    40 grams of Quick Oats has 4 grams of fiber.
    40 grams of *plain* instant oatmeal has 4 grams of fiber.

    The only “processing” that is done to make oats change from Old Fashioned to Quick to Instant, is rolling/grinding/cutting them so that they cook quicker. As long as you are buying *plain* (not flavored or sugared), they are all the same nutritionally.

    More info:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oat
    http://www.madehow.com/Volume-5/Oatmeal.html
  • AdamATGATT
    AdamATGATT Posts: 573 Member
    I don't even eat oatmeal, which is sad because I actually like it. But it's got way too many calories and isn't filling.

    Too many calories? Mine plain is only 190 calories. With a banana that's 295. That's not a whole lot, especially when I'm eating it as a meal. Even having a side item like fruits or veggies would keep it under 400 calories, which is about par for a meal.

    And oatmeal is one of the most filling foods, to me at least. On my long endurance riding days (moto, not bike) I start it off with a good bowl of oatmeal. Keeps me full longer, and warm for those cool mornings.
  • 12by311
    12by311 Posts: 1,716 Member
    I don't even eat oatmeal, which is sad because I actually like it. But it's got way too many calories and isn't filling.

    Really? I eat my oatmeal with blueberries or some other fruit...well, or peanut butter. Maybe 200 calories and I'm STUFFED and stay fuller, longer.
  • 3LittleMonkeys
    3LittleMonkeys Posts: 373 Member
    I don't even eat oatmeal, which is sad because I actually like it. But it's got way too many calories and isn't filling.

    150 calories for a 1/2 cup serving of a food that most people find very filling is not a lot of calories. Pair it with some almonds, fruit and a splash of whole milk should keep everyone full for hours on end.

    That is 1/2 cup dry to 1 cup water (I use a little less water personally).

    I make old fashion oats in the microwave for a snack. I love it.
  • anemoneflynn
    anemoneflynn Posts: 87
    If they're not turning out well, you can try toasting them with a smidge of butter or other fat before adding the water - put the fat / butter in a pan, melt it, and toast the steel cut oats until they're just golden brown. Then add your water to the already hot pan, I also like to add some dried fruit at this point, and cook them, stirring, until they're nice and gooey. :-D Alton Brown has a crazy good steel cut oats recipe, which is what I modify my oats from. If you use a good fat, it's a very nicely rounded meal. Hope that helps!
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