Apple Cider Steel Cut Oats

January was a bit of a bust, productivity-wise. I was sick for most of the month and it's a busy season for my job. I did as little cooking as possible, and no sewing whatsoever. But I'm finally feeling better and things have calmed down, so things are back on track with a new steel cut oats recipe.

I love this one because it combines two of my favorite cold weather things- apple cider and steel cut oats. The original recipe is from Bob's Red Mill (who's products I love) but I changed it around to suit my tastes more. I used spiced cider instead of regular to give it a little extra oomph.

Apple Cider Steel Cut Oats
makes 4 servings

What You'll Need:
3 cups spiced apple cider
1 cup steel cut oats
2 Tbs packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp all spice
1/4 tsp salt
1 small-medium apple, diced
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

The Process:
Combine the cider, sugar, and spices in a pot and bring to a boil. Add the oats, diced apple, and walnuts. Cover and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve and enjoy.

Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the microwave. Just add a little water to the oatmeal before microwaving it.


With all the snowy days we've had lately, this has been my favorite way to start the day. Hopefully, though, we don't get too much snow. So far we've been lucky, the majority of the snows coming through the area have missed us.

Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats

All this pumpkin means I'm starting to get creative with it. There's only so much pumpkin bread and pie that one family can handle. I wish I had made this oatmeal sooner, so much sooner, because it is absolutely a delicious way to start the day.

If you recall, I am an avid steel cut oats fan. Mixing pumpkin into it should have been something I thought of ages ago. But, I've made it now and it does not disappoint. I had to alter this one a little bit from my usual steel cut oat recipe, because pumpkin is mostly water and it needed a little extra sweetness.

Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats
Makes 5 servings

What You'll Need:
1 cup steel cut oats
1 cup water
2 cups milk
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
2-3 pats butter
optional: 1/2 cup walnuts

Great-Grandmom's Georgia Cornbread

My grandmother grew up in Georgia, as did much of her family before her. When I was growing up, she lived in NJ near us, but her mother still lived in the same house my grandmother grew up in. On the occasions we were able to visit, my great-grandmother would make cornbread for us. Before or since, I have never tasted better.

Unfortunately, she passed away a few years ago and her cornbread recipe went with her. My grandmother attests that she made it from memory without too much measuring and a lot of just knowing what's "right." After consulting my mother and grandmother, I think I was able to piece together a recipe very similar to hers.

They agreed on most points- that she used yellow cornmeal, regular flour, and, most importantly, bacon grease. That last part I couldn't forget, she had a vat of it in the kitchen- ready for anything. They, however, disagreed as to her use of buttermilk. After having tried it both with and without, I concluded that buttermilk is definitely the way to go.

Great-Grandmom's Georgia Cornbread
makes 8 generous slices

What You'll Need:
    1 cup yellow cornmeal
    1 cup all-purpose flour
    1/2 cup sugar
    1 cup buttermilk
    1/2 cup bacon grease (or melted butter, if you prefer)
    2 eggs
    3/4 teaspoon baking soda
    1 teaspoon salt

Banana Nut Oatmeal

I bought a few too many bananas at the store than we were able to eat in a timely fashion, so I wanted to do something with them besides the usual banana bread. Oatmeal jumps for the save! My house smelled just like I was making banana nut bread, but I think this oatmeal is even better, because you don't have to worry about it coming out too dense like banana bread often does.

Basic Steel Cut Oatmeal

What You'll Need:
1 cup steel cut oats
2 cups water
2 cups milk
3 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup sweetener of choice
2 tsp cinnamon
2-3 pats butter

Banana Nut Variation:
2 ripe bananas, diced or smashed at your preference.
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Maple Walnut Oatmeal

Oatmeal, again? Yes, indeed. I know I just did a post on it, but frankly, it's delicious and as long as it's cold out, I will keep making up ways to make breakfast the best (and most filling) meal of the day. I picked up a big bag of raw walnuts as I threatened to do in my previous post. It smelled so wonderful while making it that I ate it for dinner instead of breakfast.

Oatmeal in the morning, Oatmeal in the evening, Oatmeal at supper time...

 Maple Walnut Oatmeal

Basic Ingredients:
1 cup steel cut oats (I use Bob's Red Mill)
2 cups water
2 cups milk
3 tsp vanilla extract
2-3 pats butter

Maple Walnut Variation:
2 Tbs maple syrup
3 Tbs brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup walnut pieces

Steel Cut Oatmeal

I love, and I mean love, a good oatmeal for breakfast. Instant ones don't do it for me, though. They're good in a pinch but they're not going to knock anyone's socks off. That's what steel cut oats are for. Traditional rolled oats are steamed, rolled, and then dried. Steal cut oats are actually the groats (which is the inside part of the oat kernel) and are cut into a few small pieces.

My favorite part about steel cut oats is their chewy texture and their almost nutty flavor. They pack such a tasty punch. They take about a half hour to make, which is why they aren't seen as often. It is entirely worth waiting for.

The cranberries really sold it.

Basic Steel Cut Oatmeal
Makes 5 servings, 7 Points+ per serving

What You'll Need:
1 cup steel cut oats (I use Bob's Red Mill)
2 cups water
2 cups milk
3 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup sweetener (honey, brown sugar, regular sugar, maple syrup... whatever you fancy)
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2-3 pats butter
1- 1 1/2 cups goodies (diced apples, dried fruit, walnuts... endless possibilities)