Savory Steel Cut Oats
Learn how to make savory steel cut oats with green onion, spinach, mozarella cheese and a dash of coconut aminos. Steel cut oats are a nice change from the rolled oats most people are familiar with. If you have never tried steel cut oats you are in for a real treat! They have a wonderful nutty, chewy texture and flavor and are packed with whole grain goodness and fiber which helps keep you satisfied longer. I fell in love with steel cut oats a while back and I love making different versions of oatmeal with them. This recipe is versatile and you can experiment with different ingredients to make them your own. Savory oats are a great alternative to other grains as well and this would make a great meal any time of day.
What is the difference between steel cut oats and rolled oats?
If you are looking for a more healthy version of oatmeal this may be the ticket. What makes steel cut oats different is the way they are cut into smaller pieces instead of being rolled out flat. This creates a whole grain whose parts are all intact after processing which gives them a coarser texture. Steel cut oats are considered a heart healthy food and because of the soluble fiber they are also beneficial for digestion. I like the fact that they keep you feeling full so you don’t eat as much which can help promote weight loss.
What you will need to make savory steel cut oats:
- Steel cut oats
- Baby spinach, chopped coarsely
- Green onion with stems, chopped
- Grated mozarella cheese (or parmesan cheese)
- Coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce (coconut aminos is a lower sodium and gluten free substitute for soy sauce)
- Dash of salt
- Cracked pepper to taste
How to make savory steel cut oats:
So here we go! This is the basic recipe for steel cut oats which can be used as a base for creating any flavor of oatmeal:
- To make steel cut oats put olive oil in the bottom of a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the oats to heated oil and stir them constantly until they are toasted and nutty for about 2-3 minutes. This step gives the oats more flavor.
- Pour water into the pan along with a pinch of salt and bring the mixture to a boil and stir occasionally.
- Reduce the heat to medium low and let the oats simmer stirring occasionally for about 15-20 minutes (or longer if you want creamier oatmeal).
- Remove the oats from the heat and let them sit for 2 minutes.
- Place the oats in individual serving bowls and top with desired amount of chopped baby spinach, chopped green onions, and grated mozarella cheese.
- Top with some fresh ground pepper and drizzle a little coconut aminos or low sodium soy sauce over the top to taste.
- Try adding a little milk of your choice before eating if you desire.
- Stir everything together and enjoy!
Notes:
- For savory oatmeal you can change things up depending on what you are in the mood for. What sounds good to you? How about some sauteed garlic and mushrooms or red pepper flakes to enhance the flavor of the oatmeal?
- You could substitute arugula or some other green for the spinach.
- Try frying or poaching an egg to place on top or add some bacon bits to the oatmeal.
Other breakfast recipes to try:
Baked Blueberry Coconut Oatmeal
Savory Steel Cut Oats
Ingredients
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup steel cut oats
- pinch fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup baby spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
- 1 green onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp grated mozarella cheese (or parmesan cheese)
- 1/2 tsp coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce
- fresh ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- To make the steel cut oats place olive oil in the bottom of a medium saucepan over medium heat. After the oil is heated add the oats and stir constantly in the oil until they are toasted and nutty. This will take 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in the water with a pinch of salt and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Let oats simmer on medium low heat and cook, stirring occasionally for about 15-20 minutes (or longer if you want creamier oatmeal)
- Remove the oats from the heat and let them sit for 2 minutes.
- Place the oats in individual serving bowls and top with desired amount of chopped baby spinach, chopped green onions, and grated mozarella cheese. Top with some fresh ground pepper and drizzle a little coconut aminos or low sodium soy sauce over the top to taste. Add a little milk of your choice if desired then stir everything together in the bowl and serve.
- This recipe serves two people but can be doubled to make 4 servings.