Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Rolled Oats Vs Steel Cut Oats


Oatmeal is one of the few convenience foods I use. I confess, I buy rolled oats. I still soak them, as they are a whole grain, but I'm not sure how much good it does, since they are already partially cooked by the time I get them.

I've wanted to make the switch to steel cut oats, so I've been searching everywhere for the best price. Here are the best prices I have found for each kind of oat:

Quick Oats: $1.80/42 oz, $0.67/lb, Save-A-Lot

Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: $2.20/42 oz, $0.84/lb, Walmart

Steel Cut Oats: $22.95/25 lbs plus $11.20 shipping, $1.36/lb,
Amazon


One serving of steel cut is a quarter of a cup, but a serving of rolled and quick oats is a half a cup. So, steel cut is cheaper, right, and we all live happily ever after? Well, no. They are priced by weight not by cup.

I found out that a quarter cup of steel cut oats is 40 grams. One gram equals 0.0022 pounds, so forty grams equals 0.088 pounds, or 1.4 ounces. One serving of steel cut oats costs $0.12.

Guess how much a half cup of rolled oats weighs. Forty grams. It is the same for quick oats. So a serving of quick oats is $0.058 and a serving of old fashioned rolled oats is $0.073.

It is one of the few foods I have found where the whole food costs more than the processed, although according to
chow.com, even steel cut oats go through some heating and processing. The other whole food that comes to mind is milled four, which costs less than buying the grain whole and milling it yourself. Oh, and tomatoes, that are cheaper to buy canned and already cooked into a paste than to purchase fresh and cook them into a paste yourself.

I'm willing to pay an extra penny and a half per serving to get old-fashioned rolled oats, but I'm not willing to pay twice the price for steel cut.
Sometimes, health wins out over budget, like for
ketchup, which I didn't even bother comparing in cost to store-bought. Sometimes budget wins out over health, like with oats.

In the comments, you can either share where budget trumps health for you, or you can explain to me why I am a horrible person for compromising my kids' health this way.

55 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow. That was mature.

Eliza said...

Hi Emily,
Quick question...what is the difference between the 3? Steel cut, rolled and quick? I get the difference between rolled and quick but have not been able to work out what steel cut are? Also are rolled oats still healthy?

Also...it's a shame to hear that about milling your own flour. I hope to do that one day and was hoping it would be cheaper or at least the same. I am trying to find a source now, I live in Australia, so hopefully I will find one. What'd your opinion? Do you think milling your own flour has good health benefits or it's not that much better than buying good flour?

So really...that's 2 not so quick questions.
Eliza
P.S. I tried your pasta today. It was good but I think I have to get used to the fresh pasta texture. And I made my own bread...it's a work in progress and I have a mixer that kneads my dough for me (baby steps).

Wendy P said...

Emily - we compromise on oats, too. Also on produce. I'd love to do 100% organic, but we just can't. So, I buy organic for the Dirty Dozen and then fill in with conventional produce for the Clean Fifteen.

I enjoy your blog very much! Thanks for doing it!

Liz said...

Do you have a market that sells oats in bulk? That's often cheaper (not for steel cut, but for rolled, usually). Also, we buy our oats at Costco-- it's like $8 for 10 lbs, I believe. And they're old fashioned.

I also mix mine with wheat bran in my bucket o' breakfast at work.

Anonymous said...

Your new ads are driving me crazy. There is a pop up as soon as you log onto the site which sit right above the text, and move with the screen till you click the X.

On the left there is a fairly large ad for alcohal. I drink, however I have not heard of you drinking, nor does it seem to be the kind of thing you'd like to advertise for.

Not sure about anyone else, but personally pop ups are one of the few things which will drive me away from a site.

Emily said...

Lize, the best site article I found explaining the difference was this, but they are all whole grain and have health benefits.
http://www.chow.com/stories/11024

On milling your own flour, it is fresher, and you do the processing yoursef, so that has a benefit and I too would like to do that someday. If I could find a source that is at least the same price, I would switch.

Anon, I opted out of ads that float in front of the screen, so let me know if that happens again. As far as the content of the ads, I did not opt out of alcohol ads, and have never written about alcohol. I only opted out of birth control ads, since I did NOT want those on my site. Everything else is fair game. Thanks for the ad feedback. I really do appreciate it! (:

Emma said...

Oats aren't a convenience food. They're a staple food that requires a bit of processing to put them into a usable form.

Those instant packets, THOSE are a convenience food.

Also, IMO, steel cut oats are practically a whole different food - the taste and texture is quite different from rolled oats.

What exactly leads you to conclude that steel cut oats are healthier? Frankly all three are pretty good for you!

Emily said...

Zella, I haven't seen buk oats for that cheap. I'm going to keep looking.

Purple, steel cut are less processed, which means I control the processing in my own kitchen. But I agree, they are all good whole grains.

Marie said...

Can I ask how you make your oatmeal from there?

Do you make it with water, milk, cream? Do you had fruits like bananas or apples? Do you add spices or vanilla? Do you add yogurt or peanut butter? etc.

Lori said...

I think the oatmeal thing is wacky. They are only charging more for the steel cut oats because they are currently a fashionable thing. Like when flank steak went from being something that butchers almost threw away to being popular because of fajitas, and quadrupled in price overnight. The meat didn't cost any more than it had, but suddenly they were able to get more money for it.

Emily said...

Marie, I rarely eat oatmeal, but my kids like it made with water with a dash of cinnamon, no sweetener.

Jenny said...

FYI: If you have a natural foods store nearby look in their bulk bins. I buy steel cut oats from the bulk bins for 89 cents a pound.

I make them by combining 1 c. of steel cut oats and 4 c. of water in the crockpot and cooking overnight. I also toss in a little brown sugar and cinnamon, then we eat it in the morning with a little drizzle of maple syrup. I also like some dried cranberries and a few walnuts or pecans on mine, but the kids don't like the extra toppings.

As far as the crockpot method of cooking them goes, it's been some trial and error to find a way that works well for us. Even on low they would burn and stick to the sides of the crock. So, now I create a water bath by putting the oats in a stainless steel bowl, then putting the bowl into the crockpot. I put just enough water in the crockpot to come about halfway up the sides of the bowl. Then, instead of turning on low, I just put the crockpot on the "warm" setting and they're perfect in the morning. A bonus to using a smaller bowl inside of the crockpot is that it's much easier to clean up, no more scrubbing burned oats off of the crockpot insert.

Anonymous said...

I can't think of anything that I buy where cost is more important than health. Except for milk which isn't really good for anyone. I don't think this is an example of you feeding your kids garbage. It might be the best thing you feed them!

Leah said...

I've done the same math and came to the same conculsion! Just not willing to pay the premium for steel cut. I figure the real benefit is the extra fiber, but rolled oats have plenty of fiber anyway!

Unknown said...

Emily,

I've been reading your site for a couple of weeks and really enjoy it. I wouldn't necessarily make all the same choices as your family does (but hellllooo, if we were all the same that would be boring right?), but you have really made me think a lot about the choices we do make. I especially enjoy reading about your take on frugal cooking and nutrition.

I have encountered the same thing with oats, and as far as I'm concerned rolled oats are just fine. In fact, I prefer them for their texture. We also use rolled oats occassionally for cookies, breads, and chopped up as a coating for meat.

The one thing we usually choose cost over nutrition for is meat. I've just learned about purchasing meat from a co-op (Is that the right term?). We don't eat a TON of meat, but I would love for the stuff we do eat to not be packed full of chemicals and hormones.

How's that beautiful new baby?

KerryAnn said...

Steel-cut oats are oat groats that have been cut into three pieces and are only heated enough to remove the husk and stabilize them, they are not cooked per se in that steel-cut oats will have their phytase reduced by soaking. Rolled oats in any form have been steamed and flaked. Soaking them does not reduce the phytate content as they have already been partially cooked. From a digestability standpoint, most people find they digest soaked, steel-cut oats much easier than the pre-processed varieties. As far as the difference between rolled and instant oats, the only difference is how much the company cooked them before they were put into the box. Nutritionally, they're pretty much comperable, and they are nutritionally inferior to steel-cut due to the phytase issue because you can't easily absorb the nutrition from unsoaked oats since oats are a very high phytase food. If I'm not mistaken, they are the grain with the highest amount of phytase.

Oats are one area where we go with the steel cut, because I can tell a huge difference in how we digest them, and that is a big cue of how much nutrition you are absorbing from them.

TC said...

"or you can explain to me why I am a horrible person for compromising my kids' health this way." Hahaha! Oh Emily, you are fun. Don't listen to the meanies and detractors...anyone who feels it necessary to come to your blog with verbal abuse must be terribly fearful that their own way of life is actually wrong. People who are really sure that they are right and that everyone else is wrong live in smug, self-satisfied silence. Golllllden silence. ;-)

Clisby said...

We use old-fashioned oats because the steel-cut take enough longer to be impractical. My husband and son like oatmeal; my daughter and I think it's loathsome. This way, they can make the spur-of-the-moment decision to have oatmeal in the morning, and my daughter and I can eat something more palatable, like poptarts or marshmallows or cardboard or dryer lint. I always keep oats on hand, though, because I add it to other things - meat loaf, salmon loaf, chili, etc. - you can always throw in a handful of oats for a little extra nutrition.

crabcakes said...

Emily,

I buy the whole oats too. I can't stand the quick oats and the steel cut are more expensive. Whole oats will do and I absolutely love oatmeal made on the stove this way.

Whole oats also make the best granola. Steel cut and quick oats don't do nearly as well. And I make granola a lot so it works out best for me.

Anonymous said...

I love your blog. If you spend $25 on Amazon, usually they have free shipping.

Anonymous said...

Emily...Oats are still healthy, whether they are steel or old fashioned - it's not like you're falling into the "Feed my family junk" category.

I mean, hey, you could be buying the quick oat crap that's already flavored with all that artificial junk (blech!).

On another note...if you can handle 50lbs of steel cut oats you can get them here for $1.08/lb including shipping...

I hope that link works. I've never put a link on a comment before...hm.

Anyway.

I really need to start eating oatmeal again! I go through cycles, and I've been on the "hate it" cycle for years. I used to eat it daily. I've never tried steel cut before, I'll have to pick some up next shopping trip!

Blessed said...

We eat oatmeal several mornings a week, and just use old fashioned oats cooked in water and cinnamon, which we then top with something like fruit or granola and milk. No added sweetener is ever needed.

BUT to the person who was suggesting Costco for buying oats--yes, I have done that too, and it is a better price than the groccery store. BUT if you have a store nearby that sells bulk grains--like Winco, which we unfortunately don't have--then you should be able to get them cheaper yet. AND then you are not perpetuating the landfill issue with those big tubs from Costco! I go to Costco to get some things because we are saving money, but I really despise them overall for several reasons, one of which is the overpackaging. : (

Anonymous said...

I can find steel cut oats at the store for less than you're paying on Amazon. Steel cut oats also taste better, and are more filling than rolled oats, so the reccomeneded serving size really *is* a serving, something that isn't true of rolled oats. Also, if you're using rolled oats they've already been partly cooked, soaking them isn't going to do anything other than ruin the texture.

Anonymous said...

Where I am come from we hardly know what oatmeal is. We eat grits down here!

Clisby said...

Yes, people eat grits down here too (Charleston, SC) and they are just as loathsome as oatmeal, in my book. My parents had no patience with picky eaters, but they stopped trying to make me eat grits when I was 6. I wasn't a picky eater - I just knew what tasted awful.

Anonymous said...

have you heard about the coinstar special for christmas? take the amazon certificate option, run $40 through the machine and get a $50 gift certificate. 20% return! expires dec. 06! hurry!

i hope this is helpful to your readers.

Jessica said...

I don't always eat steel cut. We rotate from Irish oats, old-fashioned oats, steel cut, cream of buckwheat, grits, etc. for our morning grains.

I'm less worried about what type of oats I am eating than the quality of the oats. I would eat organic, pesticide-free old-fashioned oats over non-organic steel cut anyday.

Diana Par-Due said...

I don't really eat oatmeal but if you do definitely splurge for the steel cut! It's far higher quality. Quick Oats are the worst because they are processed alot to make them cook really fast.

Lindsay said...

I've been reading your blog for awhile now. You are such an inspiration at your job as the help-meet to your husband. I think I'm doing good price matching, cooking more than usual from scratch and couponing but then I come over here and wow...you're doing awesome! Thanks for all the ideas you post.

Lindsay at BecauseHeGave.blogspot.com

Clisby said...

I thought Irish oats and steel-cut oats were the same. What's the difference?

Anonymous said...

The end of your post is very petty and even though I've been coming here several times a day for weeks I doubt I'll be so eager to make my way back tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Grits here, too! (GA) I am not a huge fan of oatmeal, but I can stomach them from time to time. Just give me a bowl of grits with butter! YUM!

Jessica said...

Try Costco. I get 2 bags of oatmeal (the box says 100 servings but since your boys are still little you'd probably get a lot more than 100) for about $6.

Anonymous said...

No problem, haven't seen a floating ad again.

Will you be doing a post on alcohal-- whether you consume it, if so what occasions, if not why... etc?

Amanda said...

I think that anytime we are buying food there is always an interplay between budget and health. I doubt that there are many people where health ALWAYS trumps budget and that we all do the best that we can with our own particular budgets and priorities. Unless I milk my own cows and make all of my own dairy products, raise and butcher my own animals, have laying hens, grow and process my own grains and grow all of my own vegetables and fruits, I will always have to make choices between health and budget.

For my family right now, budget trumps health because my husband is unemployed for the third time in two years. I may not be able to afford organic products, locally grown meats or raw milk, but I can choose the best that I can afford. I can choose whole milk without rsbt. I can offer my children fruits, nuts and popcorn (not microwave) for snacks. I can choose to feed my family homemade muffins and fruit smoothies for breakfast instead of poptarts or Lucky Charms. I can make our bread (honey oatmeal) instead of buying a loaf of cheap white bread. Instead of a frozen entree, instant mashed potatoes and Grands biscuits for dinner, we can dine on a crock-pot sticky chicken, baked potatoes, applesauce (un-sweetened) and homemade biscuits!

I really enjoy your blog Emily - thanks!

slugmama said...

Emily,
It's hard to compare prices of rolled oats and steel cut because much like a dried bean soaked in water, steel cut oats expand quite a bit when cooked. The standard ratio of oats to water is 1(oats):4(water)parts. So the same weight of rolled and steel cut once cooked is NOT the same volume. This might make your steel cut oats serving have a lower pricepoint but still may not be lower compared to a rolled oats serving.
If you can find a bulk food dept. in a grocery store up in Maine(Shaw's, Hannaford?)check out their prices. Also check in the organic/natural food aisle. I have found steel cut oats at a discount grocery outlet for less than $1 per box(1lb.). That source is hit or miss however as their supply isn't regular. I don't shop at Costco/Sam's Club type stores but I am thinking those types of stores might carry large containers of this type of thing and at a discount.
HTH...

Emily said...

Anon, I'm adding alcohol to FAQ. I think it would make a good post.

Unknown said...

Emily,
After reading what you said about making paste out of fresh tomatoes, I had to do some figuring. This year we bought a 5 gallon bucket of tomatoes from a local farm for $6. I did some math. If you buy 12 pint jars for around $8.00, which they usually are, and you can get 12 pints from a 5 gallon bucket, then you'll spend about $1.17 per pint (16 oz). Since you can reuse the jars and bands, all you have to replace when you can next time are the lids. They cost about $2.00 for 12. If the tomatoes cost the same, you spend $.67 per jar. That, to me, is a deal since just this week in IGA's sale paper diced tomatoes are on sale for $1.00 for 15 ounces.

NOTE: I do not do paste because I don't know how! However, I use the diced tomatoes (I actually put them in the blender for a few seconds) in everything and add just a small can of tomato paste to thicken it up. I realize that prices vary depending on where we live.

I also like the fact that I am feeding my family fresher tomatoes, and I actually know where they came from! I really enjoy summer days putting up vegetables.

You mentioned that buying wheat flour was cheaper than milling your own. That is true, but the health benefits are much greater. I personally do not mill my own flour because I don't have a mill --- yet! However, I have a friend who does, and she mills some for me from time to time. You could so some research, but after only two days of being milled, flour loses a significant amount of its nutritional value. I can also, like someone else said, tell a difference in my digestive system when we use the freshly milled flour vs whole wheat flour that I buy from the store.

As far as oats...I'm clueless. I very rarely eat them, and Eli loathes them (gags every time). SO, I buy quick oats for the rest of the fam, and generally they last a good while. :) It would totally not be worth my while to bother with the more expensive version.

Anonymous said...

Emily...

I like your blog and I also enjoy your frugal tips. I really can't imagine breaking down the cost of items because I'm just flat out too lazy. However, I applaud your efforts to economize and make smart choices for your family.

If you don't want people you leave snide and nasty remarks on your blog, you'd do well not to encourage snide and nasty remarks. You were baiting/inviting nastiness with your last remark. IMHO.

If you're gonna have a blog, Emily, and you expect people to respect your choices then you need to respect the fact that not everybody is going to agree with you or even like what you do.

Anonymous said...

I guess I'm the only one who finds all grains unhealthy:p -Cris

Rachel said...

I saw Dr. Oz on a t.v. show once and he said that he eats Irish Oatmeal every morning. Of course, Dr. Oz can afford Irish Oatmeal. I love oatmeal myself, but am surrounded by grits lovers! They are okay, but I like my rolled oats with a little brown sugar added. I cook with water.

I've been a wife and mom for 29 years, I do notice that alot of your readers are younger, not all, but most. I grew up with lots of fresh veggies, homemade desserts, wholesome dinners. My husband did not. His mom did not like to cook, and they ate a lot of processed food, and I just can't convert him in all areas. I prefer a cake made from scratch, but he only wants one from cake mix with the icing out of the tub, yuck! So my kids are like him in a lot of their tastes as well. And I look at it this way, if they don't eat it, what have I saved? It wouldn't pay for me to bake bread, but I do find it at the discount store for .50 cents a loaf, so I stock up. Our 16 year old son attends 6 karate classes each week, and he is HUNGRY! He eats constantly. He loves cereal and pop tarts, so I buy them. He works it off, I probably would not be so accomodating to a couch potato. And I do strive for good, wholesome meals on the table as much as possible. There is a good mixture of veggies, fruits, grains served in our home, and some goodies here and there. We do not buy coke or candy though, unless it is a holiday like Christmas.

Kim W. said...

We buy WHOLE oat groats and use our Family Grain Mill with the oat flaker attachment (purchased over ten years ago just before Y2K and still going strong)to flake the oats. It's a manual flaker and easy enough for any preschooler to operate, so the kids are the official oat flakers around here. Really fresh tasting and not at all cooked since the friction of the hand crank is pretty minor. The mill base is attached to a kitchen counter and it's a quick setup. We go back and forth between flaking on an as-needed basis and flaking a gallon at a time which is certainly more convenient. Our boys are on the autism spectrum and eat gluten free; oats contain gluten ONLY by cross-contamination from other gluten-containing grains growing up with them in the same field. So as we flake our oats, we can watch for the odd wheat/rye/barley (much harder grains and obviously different looking from the oat groats).

We purchase organic oat groats through Azure Standard [www.azurestandard.com]. Bought a couple of 25# bags last week for $24.70 each (oops -- just checked the catalog, and now I see that 50# is $47.90, and all organic!), no shipping. Azure Standard delivers to our area about twice a month (near Portland, Oregon).

Oatmeal is a staple for most breakfasts at our house since son Evan, 16, weighs in at about 190 lbs. and apparently has two hollow legs :). Great with our own goat milk and a little Rapadura sugar.

Kim W.

frugalredneck said...

Emily, I have been reading your blog for a few months now...And I love it. I love it that you are real,down to earth. I have to admit 10% of my coming lately, is to read what some people leave for comments, It gives me a good laugh, really it does. To think that someone is trolling blogs to leave nasty comments amuses me. And personally I love your little comment at the end of the post!!!!! As far as budget winning over organic or more healthy. I feed my family. I feed my family based solely on cost. Sometimes that involves more "healthy" foods, But I cook about 70% from scratch now, and do garden, That is good enough for me...now. I have 6 kids, I don't believe in birth control. So to all the weirdo's that come here to say mean things to you, Hmmmmm, stays home takes care of her children, Does everything within her means to do right be her family, Teaches me to be a better wife, I'd say emily is ok in my book. Good luck hun and look forward to your next REAL LIFE, GENUINE, HONEST, GOOD ENOUGH, post. Frugalredneck (blogger), I hope my blog helps as many as yours!!! Michelle

Simple in France said...

I love oats, but since they're not local or cheap in France, we've given up on them. Also, if I remember correctly, the steel cut oats take much longer to cook . . . but I guess you can just pop them in the crock pot the night before.

What about using other whole grains and making a porridge out of them. My mom makes an awesome barley porridge by cooking it down a long time and adding fruit. I've seen people in Madagascar cook down rice and add condensed milk for breakfast. It's good! Anyway, just a thought.

Emily said...

frugalredneck, I also enjoy reading the comments. I think that half the fun of my blog is the discussion in the comments. And I love your blog. What a great price on that house!

Simple in France, I like the idea of cooking rice porridge. Then I wouldn't have to worry about the phytate content, which is a true concern for me.

Carla said...

Anon, I can't handle grains at all and I'm gluten intolerant so they are unhealthy for me but my family eats them. If it were up to me, I wouldn't have them in the home at all. Unfortunately it is cheap filler for them and the rest of my family is healthier than I am even eating them.

Sara said...

Hey there
I love reading your blog. I was browsing the comments and you said you would like to know if anyone got a pop-up ad. I did, I closed it, I think it was a survey.
Anyways love the blog. Love what you are doing for your family. Thanks for writing about it.

Erin T. said...

Love the blog Emily. This is Erin, returning reader who was previously just anon, lol. I'm the Jehovah's Witness who commented on your Xmas un-tree post. Anyway, what are phytates? And Carla, if you don't mind me asking what do you mean you can't 'handle' grains? Super curious... Erin = )

Carla said...

Hi Erin :). What I mean is that if I eat grains, I have a lot of problems (bloating/weight gain, headache, stomach ache, diarrhea, fatigue, ect...). It is just easier for me to avoid them than to have to deal with the problems they present to me.

Emily said...

Erin, I'm glad you're Erin now, not just another anon. I like getting to kow the readers of this blog. Phytates are found in the outer shell of many grains to prevent the grains (which are seeds) from sprouting before it is time. Our body does not digest them well and they can cause damage to our intestines, not to mention block the absorption of other nutrients. By soaking grains in an acidic medium (yogurt, vinegar, whey) you can neutralize the phytates.

Unknown said...

Hi, Emily! I just discovered your blog and I love it! Learning so much. :)

I have a six year old daughter who detests oatmeal. I've tried adding maple syrup, fruit, applesauce, blueberries, you name it, but she still won't eat it. Is there anything else I can try?

Emily said...

Kate, I like mine with peanut butter and apple sauce when I have it, but my kids just have cinnamon on theirs. She may not like the texture.

Julie said...

sorry this is so long but i cut it from a local forum. thought you might like it.

BAKED OATMEAL
4-5 cups oatmeal (soaked overnight in about 1-2 cups yogurt or kefir, plus 1-2 cups warmish water)
4 eggs
1 cup sweetner of choice (can use less)
3/4 cup oil (can use less)
1-2 cups milk
2 tsp. vanilla (optional)
1 TB cinnamon
1 TB baking powder
1-2 cups fresh, frozen, or dried fruit, such as blueberries, strawberries, cherries, raisins, cranberries, rhubarb, etc.


1. Soak oatmeal overnight in yogurt or kefir. In the morning, preheat oven to 350F.

2. Combine eggs, sugar, oil, vanilla, cinnamon and baking powder. Mix well. Add milk (start with the smaller amount, and adjust to get the consistency you like), and mix again. Add fruit, and mix again.

3. Add oatmeal to egg mixture, and mix well.

4. Pour mixture into a 9" X 13" pan. Bake at 350F for about 1 hr., or until set. You can bake it on a lower temp. for longer, or a higher temp. for less time, if necessary. I've done it both ways.

5. Serve warm with yogurt, cream, milk, or applesauce. Very good cold, or reheated.


A modified version:
4-5 cups oatmeal (soaked overnight in about 1-2 cups yogurt or kefir, plus 1-2 cups warmish water)
4 eggs I used 3 because that's all I had
1 cup sweetner of choice (can use less) No sweetener
3/4 cup oil (can use less) 4 TBSP coconut oil
1-2 cups milk
2 tsp. vanilla (optional)
1 TB cinnamon
1 TB baking powder 1 tsp baking powder
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 heaping cups chopped apples

1-2 cups fresh, frozen, or dried fruit, such as blueberries, strawberries, cherries, raisins, cranberries, rhubarb, etc.



1. Soak oatmeal overnight in yogurt or kefir. In the morning, preheat oven to 350F.

2. Combine eggs, sugar, oil, vanilla, cinnamon and baking powder. Mix well. Add milk (start with the smaller amount, and adjust to get the consistency you like), and mix again. Add fruit, and mix again.

3. Add oatmeal to egg mixture, and mix well.

4. Pour mixture into a 9" X 13" pan. Bake at 350F for about 1 hr., or until set. You can bake it on a lower temp. for longer, or a higher temp. for less time, if necessary. I've done it both ways.

5. Serve warm with yogurt, cream, milk, or applesauce. Very good cold, or reheated.

julie said...

part II due to character length....

Baked Oatmeal

Not crockpot, but have you tried baked oatmeal? It is freakin GOOD!! It is not mushy at all, more like a cake texture.

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup applesauce (or veggie oil)
3/4 cup sweetner of your choice (sugar, Splenda, whatever)
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
3 cups regular oats
1/2 cup raisins
1-2 tablespoons brown sugar (I personally use the brown sugar splenda)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIRECTIONS:
Beat together applesauce and sweetner of choice. Mix in eggs, milk, salt, baking powder, oatmeal. Beat well then stir in raisins. Pour into a lightly grease pie pan. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Refrigerate overnight.
The next morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Bake in preheated oven until firm, about 35 minutes. Serve hot.



BAKED OATMEAL

3 cups organic rolled oats
1/2 cup Raw Agave Nectar (can sub honey or sucanat)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1.5 cups Raw milk, or plain kefir
1/3 cup coconut oil
2 eggs, slightly beaten

In a bowl combine rolled oats & milk/kefir /yogurt . Soak overnight up to 24 hours on the counter to reduce the phytic acid.

(EDIT - I soaked in water and a couple Tbsp yogurt, then drained it in the morning)

In a large bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients. Then mix together with oats & milk/kefir. Pour into a greased 9x13x2 baking pan. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes or until set. Serve with additional milk or yogurt as needed.

I added in dried cranberries and frozen blueberries. You could add in all kinds of dried fruits like raisins, figs, dates, etc. Depending on your taste some cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger would be a great addition.

Freezes well

Happily Frugal Mama said...

I am able to buy all three oat varieties (although I only get old fashion or steel cut) in bulk for .42/lb. I estimate that I get about 5 cups (or 10 cups cooked) from each pound of dry oats (a little less for steel cut).

We enjoy cooking oats with a bag of frozen peaches or strawberries (Dollar Tree) and sweetened with Stevia or Rapadura.

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