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2012Vacation Breakfast: Steel Cut Oatmeal with Maple Syrup, Currants and Coconut
Hi Everyone, We just got back from a wonderful vacation with friends in Long Boat Key, Florida. I barely opened my laptop, and it was such a nice break! We beached, pooled, played putt-putt, kayaked, fished, dined out, drank lots of sangria and indulged in way too many ice cream cones.
The only meal I cooked all week was breakfast — mostly, this steel cut oatmeal with maple syrup, currants and coconut. My friend Sabrina was crazy for it. The two of us enjoyed it every morning on the balcony with a big pot of coffee (and a beautiful view!).
Steel cut oats have a wonderfully hearty and chewy texture. They’re less processed than rolled or instant oats (which are steamed and rolled into flakes) so they take a bit longer to cook…perfect for vacation or lazy weekend mornings. In this recipe, I simmer them in a lot of liquid so they get super creamy – almost like a breakfast risotto. Enjoy!
Steel Cut Oatmeal with Maple Syrup, Currants and Coconut
Ingredients
- 2-1/2 cups low fat milk
- 2-1/2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (optional, available at Whole Foods)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/4 cup currants (or raisins)
- 1 cup steel cut oats
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, milk, cinnamon, coconut, salt, maple syrup and currants; bring to a boil.
- Add steel cut oats, then cover and turn heat down to low. Simmer, stirring occasionally (especially towards the end so the oats don't stick to the bottom of the pan), for about 20 minutes or until oats are cooked. Oatmeal will thicken as it sits; thin with equal parts milk and water if necessary.
Amy
Sounds yummy! Where do you find currants?
Jenn
Hi Amy, You can find them at any grocery store…they are dried so near the raisins
Lisa S.
What a treat to find photos of not only food, but also your family! I have unsweetened coconut in my pantry, thanks to you (coconut shrimp!) so all I need to buy is steel cut oats. I’m glad you included a photo of the packaging so I’ll know what to look for.
Hugh
I have a question: I’ve recently been preparing steel-cut oats in an overnight slowcooker. Any suggestions on how this recipe might be converted for this technique? Since I’ve also just invested in a jug of Grade B maple syrup, I am particulalry intrigued. Thanks.
Jenn
Hi Hugh, I don’t think you’d need to alter the recipe for a slow cooker. Hope you enjoy!
Phyllis Barrier
I cook steel cut oats in a slow-cooker overnight, and it’s ready when we get up. If I didn’t think to do this, I also cook steel cut oats in the microwave, because the dish is so much easier to clean than a pan on the stove. I’ve never added coconut, and I’m looking forward to trying it!
Lori
I have used the slow cooker also, it comes out great. I have used the dried cranberries in place of the currents, also good.
Laura Black
This sounds like a great recipe. I love oatmeal in the morning. I printed a copy of the recipe for myself and my daughter. Your holiday sounded fabulous and your family looked like they were having a wonderful time. Thanks for sharing.
Cynthia
Steel cut oatmeal is fantastic – such a great texture. Thanks for providing another variation to try!
Leslie
A vacation full of sangria? That’s my kindda trip!
Angela
This sounds delicious. It’s been too long since I’ve made oatmeal–my kids are grown!
Bonnie
I made this overnight in my slow cooker and it turned out terrific. I used all water, rather than half milk / half water and dried mixed berries (only because that’s what was in my pantry).
Beth
I’ve been eating this all week- it’s delicious!!
Liz
I bought some Irish steel cut oats yesterday and made this recipe this morning. Didn’t have the beautiful view of Long Boat Key, but it still tasted pretty darn good, delicious actually! Thanks, Jenn!
Andrea J
Delicious recipe, tastes so much better than adding cold milk and toppings to already cooked oatmeal. Makes a lot – I halved the recipe and fed four adults.
Karen
I have made this twice already. It is so yummy! I love the hearty texture. I love dried cherries, so use them instead of currants. I also added some vanilla paste to just add another dimension and some flecks of vanilla in the outcome. It tastes delicious heated up in the microwave also. Thank you once again for a very tasty recipe.
daphna
Do you know if steel cut oats are available in gluten free? I’ve only found rolled oats? this recipe looks delicious.
Jenn
Hi Daphna, I believe Bob’s Red Mill sells gluten free steel cut oats.
Rita W
I love steel cut oats, and coconut so this recipe went idirectly nto the crockpot. Oh my gosh. It is divine. I use gluten free oats which I order from amazon. Thanks for a different flavor variation on my regular recipe of apples and cranberries.
Rita
Julie
After trying steel cut oats will never make regular oatmeal again. I like to add dried tart cherries, diced apples, and a bit of cinnamon and dark brown sugar. I think leftovers reheat well in the microwave so I always make more than I need.