Over scheduled and over committed as usual, I ran up the metro stairs and began galloping up the hill. I faced a long night after an endless week, but felt shockingly energized.
I should be more tired, I thought.
It had been a long week. The slowness of work should have left me leaden and bogged down. Late, sleepless nights–the usual for me–generally left me dragging by the end of the week. Yet, I was awake, jittery. I tingled as I felt the energy course through my body.
I began counting the cups of coffee.
One before leaving the house, two leading up to my 9 am meeting, one at lunch, a double shot during my afternoon break, another cup in an attempt to make the day mercifully end. Seven cups of coffee in one day. No wonder I felt I could sprint to Venezuela.
I dashed in to the house…dropped my purse, along with my tupperware from the week and the bag of shoes I had lugged home. I peeled off my work pants, threw on jeans and freshened my makeup. I met a friend, then hopped on the bus to the bar where another friend awaited. Dinner finally welcomed me at my second destination.
I perched on my stool, wondering how I was still standing. So many chemicals, so little food, and such a lack of sleep usually takes its toll.
Then I remembered: a good breakfast. They do say it is the most important meal of the day.
Steel Cut Oatmeal
1 cup steel cut oats
4 ¼ cups water
1 tsp vanilla
2 pears, diced
3 Tbs brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cardamom
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Pinch salt
Combine oats and water in medium saucepan and bring water to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium. Cook for 30-40 minutes (how long you cook depends on texture preference), stirring occasionally. Add the vanilla, pears, brown sugar, spices, and salt, and cook for about 3 minutes. Serves 4.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Lem, Ummmmm. One of my very favs of all time. Although my mamma never put the pears in. But it looks like a winner.
The pears are a way of just sneaking some fruit in with your breakfast. It was tasty.
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If you slip a shot or 3 of Kahlua in your coffee, I find that really cuts the caffeine “jitteries.”
Wait, who said that?
You are evil, woman. Don’t encourage me!
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I love oatmeal (had it for breakfast today) but I don’t understand what “steel cut” means. Is it a kind of oat or is it called that because of where it comes from?
It is the inner portion of the oat, so more fibrous and filling. It is tough, hence why it takes longer to cook.
Learning is fun!
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mmm. That looks good! All good stuff to add to oatmeal, the wonder-food for breakfast!
I know, it is really versatile. I want to try dry cherries.
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Can you make this ahead of time and re-heat? There’s no way I have enough time in the mornings to wait on a 30-40 minute breakfast dish.
I love oatmeal – especially as the weather gets cooler and it’s so easy in the mornings so this would be great if I could make it on Sundays and reheat during the week.
Yes, that is actually what I did. I made it Sunday night, portioned out, and grabbed a container every morning.
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I cook steel cut oats with milk instead of water but damn do they take long to make or what? I am particularly fond of using whole milk, as it tastes so much richer.
Milk is pretty great, but I find it still tastes pretty damn good with water and is healthier.
Whole milk…now THERE is something that has not passed these lips in years.
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I love steel-cut oatmeal!! And even though this is uninspired, I really like to add raisins and dried apples to mine. Plus, I’ll just say it…brown sugar. mmmm…
Raisins and apples are classic…ain’t no shame, baby.
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No, I don’t want to learn something new! I already fulfilled my quota for the day!
With that in mind, I’ll ask this question and come back tomorrow for the answer: What the hell is cardamom?
It is a spice…I have used it before here. It is in a lot of Indian cooking. Very tasty.
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I don’t use milk in my oatmeal. I use brandy.
Brandy! Maybe that would make my days pass faster.
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I don’t use milk in my oatmeal. I use brandy.
Word? Damn grrl you iz klassy.
I think Shannon, I think pure class.
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I LOVE steel-cut oatmeal! I’ve always just added butter and raisins to it, though, because 1) the only spice I own is garlic salt, and 2) I’m and idiot in the kitchen. Well, I’m an idiot all the time…but anyway, my ass likes this no-butter, lots-o-spice idea…will try!
Your ass will thank me, though the butter does sound really good.
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I think I am going to have a bowl of this before I tackle BEER FEST next weekend. Dramatic I know.
Ya gotta lay a good foundation; everyone will be thankful.
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I wouldn’t sleep for a week if I drank 7 cups of coffee in a day! As much as I love it, it doesn’t love me. I’m not sure even that lovely bowl of oatmeal could do battle with all of that caffeine. But you’re still young!
Oh no, you cannot do caffeine at all? I would not survive.
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I read in a years-old issue of National Geographic that introverts are more affected by caffeine than are extroverts. Your chronicles of your social life reveal your high extroversion; if I had seven cups of coffee in one day my heart would explode in my ectomorphic chest.
Facefree, I am shy. I am so misunderstood.
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I love oatmeal (of course I love most breakfast foods) but don’t want anything in it except melted butter swimming in the heated milk and some sugar (don’t care what color it is) mixed in. Then again my palate never advanced beyond 3 I think although oddly enough I love liver and beets!
I remember when hearing the tale of Goldilocks and the 3 Bears thinking that porridge was some sort of tomato soup and continuing to think that until shortly after college I found myself living in England and coming across it and discovering a) it was Scottish and b) it was oatmeal! Had to revise my entire analysis of the story. And the Scots put salt on it. Yikes!
I do love salt, but that seems unappealing to me. Damn Scots.
Ya know, I am just kinda “meh” on beets. I should roast some. I hear they are great that way.
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Steel cut oatmeal is food of the gods. I LOVE it in the colder months, and usually cook it with raisins so that they’re all plump and juicy, and throw in some cinnamon, brown sugar (just a touch), and some nuts. Keeps me going, and tastes so damn good. I am definitely going to try your version as I transition into ‘winter foods’.
And FWIW, Zachary swears by roasted golden beets – I think he makes a salad by tossing them with a champagne vinaigrette. If you’re interested, I can ask him to send you a recipe.
xoxo and a hump
Oh, yes, golden beets recipe would be lovely. Hump you very much!
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I don’t think you and I ever discussed my obsessive love for oatmeal. It makes up the lion’s share of my winter diet because it’s perfect for anytime of day. I especially like the fruit medleys – banana, blueberry, peach, and strawberry.
Which brings me to my random fact of the day – the dried “strawberries” in the oatmeal you buy are actually apples colored pink. So there you go…
What?! I feel like my whole life is a lie. That is insane.
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Can you provide more information on this?
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