All About Oatmeal

 Elizabeth suggested that I make a post about oatmeal--so here it is:  Oats are a grain and they look like wheat--a bit longer and narrower-- when harvested.  The whole grain is called a groat.  To make rolled oats the grains are heated to loosen the husks.  The whole groats are steamed and passed through rollers to make them into flakes.  Old Fashioned oats are rolled the thickest, qhick cooking and instant oats are rolled thinner and cut into finer pieces.




If the whole groats are just cut up they are called steel cut or Scottish or Irish Oats.

The photos show both rolled and steel cut oats.


Oat bran is the outer coating of the grain and is sometimes used in baking to provide more roughage.  Much of the bran remains on rolled and steel cut oats.

Oat flour is ground until it is very fine.

Oats are delicious as cereal, and in baked goods such as cookies, breads and fruit crisps.  Whole grouts can be cooked and used like risotto.

My Scottish landlady said that you should get the water boiling before adding the oats--the result is a cereal that is chewy.  If you want it more creamy you can put the oats in cold water and then bring it to a boil.  The usual proportions are 1 part oats to 2 parts water plus a little salt.  Bring to boil then cook on low about 5-10 minutes.  Steel cut oats take more water and a longer cooking time---the proportions should be 1 part oats to 3 parts water and take about 20-30 minutes to cook.  You might try toasting them a few minutes before boiling for a slightly different, more nutty flavor.  You can add raisins, currents, almonds, grated apples, craisins, dried apricots, cinnamon, nutmeg etc.  Topped with a little brown sugar or honey, and some cream that is a marvelous breakfast! ( I wouldn't add all those things to the same bowl, change it out for a little variety.)

Oats are quite healthy and may help prevent heart attacks.  For most of history they have been considered food for horses rather than people--as in Samuel Johnson's dictionary, but that is an unfortunate bit of prejudice because they are super tasty--especially rolled oats in their most perfect environment---chocolate chip cookies.