There are few things as comforting as being greeted by a steaming bowl of warm oatmeal on a cold winter morning. Unfortunately, who has the time to prepare a pot at 6:30 in the morning? Isn’t it a shame that we can’t all have our own personal chef who prepares a warm, nurturing and filling breakfast for us everyday?
Actually, there is a way that you can have your own personal chef that works while you sleep: dust off your slow cooker!
Slow Cooked Steel Cut Oatmeal with Apples, Cinnamon and Nutmeg
Steel cut oats are a minimally processed form of oat that usually takes 15-30 minutes to prepare (by simmering in a pot of water). They have a chewy texture and are low on the glycemic index (therefore a better option for those who are diabetic or pre-diabetic). They are slowly digested, gradually releasing sugar into the bloodstream, which helps keep you feeling satisfied for longer into the morning. Oats are a good source of fibre, which has been linked to a decrease in the incidence of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and certain cancers. Steel cut oats also contain soluble fibre, which has been shown to lower cholesterol levels.
Adding apple, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger to steel cut oatmeal not only adds more fibre, a serving of fruit, but also adds a serving of healthy spices that regulate blood sugar (cinnamon), aid digestion (nutmeg) and warm the body on a cold morning (ginger).
Here’s how to make steel cut oatmeal in a slow cooker:
In the evening add to your slow cooker:
– 1 cup steel cut oats
– 4 cups of water
– 4-6 apples of your choice, cut into small pieces
– 1 tbsp of cinnamon (or more)
– 1/2 tbsp of nutmeg
– 1 piece of sliced ginger
Set slow cooker to LOW and allow to cook overnight (approximately 8 hours). In the morning, turn it off and serve oatmeal hot. Serves 4 people.
I often make enough Slow Oats to feed me for the week. I refrigerate the leftovers and microwave my portion in the morning.
Here’s to easy, delicious winter mornings where you can enjoy a hot morning meal while watching the snowfall and waiting for the rest of the world to wake up.
