Amazing Steel Cut Oats

Many of you have asked me for my oatmeal recipe. Since my usual method of cooking is, as my mom used to say, "by guess and by golly"-- in other words, I just wing it-- I had to spend the last week paying attention to how much of each ingredient I was tossing in, and actually using measuring spoons.

So here's what I came up with. Make sure you are using steel cut oats, not the rolled variety (or you will end up with mush)(ew). The most inexpensive place to find them is in your bulk food section. If your neighborhood grocer doesn't carry them, take a trip to your local health food store.

Amazing Steel Cut Oats

1 cup steel cut oats
3 cups water
1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

In the morning, before you leave for work or start your day, combine the above ingredients in a pan. Cover with a lid, and allow to soak all day. At night, before you go to bed, add in:

1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1/4 cup chopped dates
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Bring to a full boil, put lid on pan, and turn off heat. Allow to sit on the stove overnight. In the morning, add:

1/4 cup raisins

Mix well. You may then reheat it on the stove, or spoon out individual servings into bowls and reheat in the microwave. Add in preferred sweetener to taste (honey, brown sugar, agave, etc.), and some fruit on top. (This oatmeal is fantastic with sliced bananas or apples.)

Makes approximately 4 bowls of oatmeal. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator, and use within 4-5 days.

(Here's my HASAY addition: Since I've been eating steel cut oats for breakfast almost every morning for just over two weeks, my body fat has consistently dropped little by little each day. Wow!)