Steel Cut Oats - the easy way!

I grew up eating oatmeal packets with all of the great flavors.  I still love those, but have recently discovered Steel Cut Oats.  Hellllooooo yumminess!  They are so much heartier than the powdered mush of the packets, plus they keep you full for so much longer.  The drawback to them is they take forever to cook and I am so not a morning person.   My trusty crockpot has come to the rescue though!  I've mastered cooking them in the crockpot overnight so that I can wake up to a hot, delicious and nutritious breakfast.  And the best part of the cooking process ---- no baked on mess in the crockpot!  The mess is all contained in the serving bowl.  Oh, it just doesn't get any better than that!

Overnight Crockpot Steel Cut Oats

Serves 4 - 6 generous servings

Leftovers are great reheated in the microwave!

Ingredients:

1 cup Steel Cut Oats

4 cups Water  (plus more for water bath)

pinch of Salt

~ plus any flavorings you like ~

Directions:

1.  Combine Steel Cut Oats, 4 cups Water, and a pinch of Salt in a bowl that will fit inside your crockpot.

2.  Set this bowl into your crockpot and *carefully* add water into the crockpot around the bowl, creating a water bath.  Make sure you don't get extra water into your smaller bowl!  You want the water line to be about level with the water line inside the smaller bowl.

3.  Cook on low overnight.  When you wake up, you will have creamy, yummy oats waiting for you to de-healthify them!  And as a bonus, your crockpot is clean!  Just pour out the water and dry it off. 

4.  The Fun Part!  Add your favorite flavors.  Some of mine are: 

• brown sugar, melted butter, cinnamon
• diced apples, cinnamon, ginger
• pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice  (oh so good!)
• apple butter, pecan pieces
• blueberries, cinnamon, ginger

You can substitute some of the water for milk if you like.  I usually just add a splash of milk to my bowl to thin it out a little in the morning.  It helps cool it off so I can eat it faster, too!  :)