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Slow-Cooked Oatmeal

Steel-cut oats are made with the whole groat, which provides more nutrients and a toothsome texture. This heartier variety takes longer to cook, so using a slow cooker frees you from being tied to the stove during cooking. As good as this oatmeal is the first day, it holds up on the second day as well. Keep any uneaten oatmeal in the refrigerator and thin it with milk or water before reheating it.

The time to prepare this dish might vary a bit depending on your equipment and the consistency that you prefer your oatmeal. If you are unsure about your slow cooker, try it during the day so that you can gauge how long it takes, tasting the oatmeal after two to three hours and comparing it to seven hours, the equivalent of all night.

For a thicker, creamier oatmeal (and extra protein and calcium), stir in nonfat dry milk after cooking, or if the oatmeal is thicker than you’d like, dilute it with regular milk. Other options for added protein include stirring in creamy peanut or almond butter, Greek yogurt, or cottage cheese.

4 SERVINGS

4 cups water

1 cup steel-cut oats

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ cup nonfat dry milk, Fortified Milk (page 194), or regular milk, optional

Brown sugar, maple syrup, sliced banana, blueberries, optional

Generously coat the inside of a slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Add the water, oats, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon. Stir to combine, cover, and cook on low for 3 to 7 hours. If the oatmeal sets around the edges, scrape it off and mix into the softer middle.

When ready to eat, add nonfat dry milk, Fortified Milk, or regular milk a tablespoon at a time, if desired, until it reaches the consistency you prefer. Portion into individual bowls and add toppings, if desired.

PER SERVING
Calories	140
Fat	2.5 g
Saturated fat	0.5 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Sodium	300 mg
Carbohydrate	27 g
Dietary fiber	4 g
Sugars	0 g
Protein	6 g
Calcium	30 mg
Potassium	170 mg

For the family (or when the side effect has resolved), add raisins, chopped dried figs, chopped walnuts or almonds, or toasted coconut in addition to the mix-ins listed above.