microwave gadgets & steel cut oats

[cappuccino]

Does anybody use a microwave steamer and/or microwave egg poacher? The steamer is great for brown rice, which cuts the time to about 25 mins(and comes out perfect most of the time) and is also good for steaming veggies. Also love the egg poacher, put a bit of water in the bottom, crack in a few egg whites/eggs and in <2mins, yummy eggs! Best was both gadgets were cheap ,<$10 and cooks without heating oil.

I've considered using the steamer for cooking steal cut oats. I've wanted to try them ever since I've heard about them because I like thick oats that actually have texture, but usually in the morning I want to eat pretty quickly. Have you ever cooked them ahead of time? ..I do this with rice. Johnka?

[Johnka]

I have cooked SCO's ahead of time, and they turn out fine. You can cook the oats in bulk and add cinnamon, splenda, and protein just before eating...good stuff.

The microwave gadget sounds pretty cool. Let me know how it works for you.

[Q.]

Just don't try to cook the SCO's in a bowl in the microwave... what a mess!!!

[cappuccino]

Yummy! I cooked 1c oats with 3c water(wasn't sure of the proportions since I must have thrown away the tag where I wrote down the instructions) for 20 mins in the microwave steamer with a little cinnamon! They were 'al-dente'.

Had a litte boil-over. Probably should have checked & stirred at 10mins to save some water and reduce the boil-over effect.--

Q-definately can see the mess your experiment would have made! Not only a little gooey water but the grain is so small they seeped out a bit on top of the steamer lid. LOL

I like the taste of the grain, so had them straight up with a bit of cottage cheese on the side. I have a new favorite breakfast and potentially a snack since I have extras to reheat later! Thanks for sparking my interest enough to actually be patient enough to cook them!

[Johnka]

Originally posted by cappuccino:
Had a litte boil-over. Probably should have checked & stirred at 10mins to save some water and reduce the boil-over effect.--

Q-definately can see the mess your experiment would have made! Not only a little gooey water but the grain is so small they seeped out a bit on top of the steamer lid. LOL

I like the taste of the grain, so had them straight up with a bit of cottage cheese on the side. I have a new favorite breakfast and potentially a snack since I have extras to reheat later! Thanks for sparking my interest enough to actually be patient enough to cook them!

Glad it worked for you, even with the boil over. The best method I've found for cooking SCO's is to bring them to a boil at night on the stove, turn off the heat and cover the pot. Sleep, wake up, bring them to a boil again, and voila, done. Simple and quick.

[cappuccino]

I'll try that too! Thanks.