Sometimes I have visions of what my life would be like if I could be a “stay at home blogger”. Spending my entire day in the kitchen concocting up delicious food would honestly be a dream to me. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love my job (& my kiddos), but it would be fun to do. I guess that’s what my summers are for! 
But until then, I need to figure out a way to provide you with the following recipes – and believe you me, they all deserve a post of their own.
I know, right?
I love my Saturdays in the kitchen. There’s absolutely nothing like it. If you’re drooling, wipe up your keyboard and move on – I will get you the recipes eventually. I think I will have to do a couple of double posting days in the near future.
Last night I mentioned we were going out for a game night. It was actually in lieu of a campout at the Husband’s aunt and uncle’s house. They may be the hippest aunt and uncle known to man – going over to their house is always anything less than ordinary. And yes, this would be the same uncle who is fun to watch dancing at weddings.
Even though I got home pretty late and didn’t go to bed until about 12:30, I was still up and at ‘em at 6:45. One would think I would try to go back to sleep until it was absolutely necessary for me to get out of bed for church. However, I had something else on my mind.
I have been given so many opportunities lately to try and review products, and I could not be happier about the process. I feel truly blessed that companies are entrusting their products to me to try and give my honest opinion about.
Earlier in the week, Katie from Nuts Online contacted me about sampling and reviewing some of their products. Nuts Online is a HUGE database of different nuts, nut butters, dried fruits, cereals, etc – I fell in love with the website the second I checked it out! Katie was kind enough to notice I am gluten free and asked if I would like to try out their gluten free sampler. My box came within 3-4 days of my responding to her, and it was packed with about 10-12 different goodies! I am so excited to try out the rest of the products.
This morning I really wanted to break out the Steel Cut Oats from the package. I have always been nervous to try steel cut oats before, so this 2-3 serving sampler is going to work out so well for me! If you’ve ever been nervous to try out a product because you’re unsure if you will enjoy it, PLEASE try out their gluten free sample pack. It is amazing!
I love their packaging for their products – it is really colorful and appealing. It made me really excited to try it! Not to mention the resealable bag is really convenient.
The process of cooking steel cut oats was basically the same as old fashioned oats – just a little more liquid and some more (okay, a lot more) cooking time! Per 1/4 cup serving, 1 cup of liquid is needed to cook steel cut oats. In my saucepan went:
- 1/4 cup Nuts Online gluten free Steel Cut Oats
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp flax
- 1/2 banana, sliced thin
- 1/3 cup pumpkin (mixed in at the end)
It took a little more wait time, but the process of whipping the bananas into the oats was the same as regular old fashioned oats. I was trying to be patient, but steel cut oats take almost 20 minutes! I’m glad I waited though because the end result was extraordinary.
I absolutely loved their steel cut oats – I am so excited to still have about 2/3 of the sample pack left! Steel cut oats are nutty, chewy, and have so much more flavor than regular old fashioned oats. If you’ve never given them a try, do it! They are fantastic. In fact, if you’ve been skeptical, go to Nuts Online’s website. They have so many options!
While this is definitely a weekend breakfast (I don’t have that much time in the morning!), I am already looking forward to Saturday so I can make these again. Amazing!
I have big plans for “dinner” today – I can’t wait to share the recipe with you all!
Question: Have you ever had steel cut oats before? What is your take on them?
Disclaimer: Nuts Online was kind enough to send me these samples for free to review their products. I am in no way being paid as a reimbursement for my review. All my thoughts about their products are purely my honest opinion.
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
I love steel cut oats! They do take some time to cook like you noticed, but I think are worth it! : )
I can’t wait for the chikpea recipe!
I am glad you are not a stay at home blogger because I have a feeling you are an awesome teacher and really…that is the most important job in the world … right up there with parenting and surgeons.
I have often wondered about making steel oats ahead of time, fridging them up and nuking in the morning. I wonder if it would be just as good?
At any rate…there are plenty of ways you can save time on the steel cuts…just google it. Some involve crock pots and some involve cooking halfway the night before.
Google overnight steel cut oats)
~Missy
I think you are absolutely right – thanks for making me think about that.. and always <3'ing me for being a teacher!
Are those roasted chickpeas in that first pic? With dill? It looks delicious, either way – can’t wait for the recipe!
I need to bring them back in my life!!
I used to LOVE steel cut oats. If you want a quicker method – cook them in the water/milk the night before…but just bring them to a boil, shut off the heat, cover, and put on the back burner. While you sleep they pretty much cook, and then the next morning you just need to heat them up, takes about as much time (if not less) than old fashioned oats
Woah! You sure do know your spices!
You’ll see later!
Whatever those muffins are, they look good!
I’ve never had steel cut oats. Any breakfast that requires that long to make always turns me off haha.
But if they’re as good as you say they are, they must be worth a try!
They are a recipe of Angela’s – the sesame pumpkin cookies, but I used Chia seeds instead of sesame – they are AWESOME… I’m pretty sure they changed my life!
I literally was just looking at steel cut oats yesterday, but got a little scared. After your review I would definitely give them a try!
When you get these free samples, is it from these companies reading your blog? Because this is amazing and it’s great that you get the opportunity to try new products that maybe you wouldn’t have otherwise!
I haven’t tried steel cut oats due to the fact that is does take longer to cook. Even my weekends are usually crazy with the kiddos! I will have to get some to try, I have a crock pot recipe for oats!
Crock pot oats sound like an awesome idea!!
I used to soak my steel cut oats at night and they’d only take ~10 minutes in the morning. I haven’t had any in so long because EVERY time I go to WF they’re out!
I will never go back to regular oats again unless in a pinch or traveling. Steelcut are my favs now. Soooo much more flavor.
I’ve had steel cut oats but the first time I made them I didn’t realize how much longer they took to cook! I ended up being 15 minutes late for work haha
That is too funny! I hope you told your boss the reason why!!
I love steel cut oats. But they’re kind of a pain to make when you’re used to popping old-fashioned oats in the microwave for 4 minutes…
I love steel cut oats. My tip for making them faster: microwave your water for 2 min before putting everything together on the stove. Saves at least five minutes…every little bit counts, right?
Thanks! And yes, every minute counts!!
I just tried steel cut oats and liked them but not as much as my usual kind! And I think being a “stay at home blogger” would be soo much fun
I think so too, but really I <3 my job!
Although I like steel cut oats okay, they never seem to fill me up like oat bran does. I love the nutty chewy factor, but I will always be an oat bran girl at heart. Oh, and all of your photos had me drooling, especially the chickpeas!
Thanks!
I was hungry only 3 hours later, which really doesn’t surprise me, buuuut I had banana and pumpkin in there! maybe I needed a larger serving.
I’ve used Nuts Online before. They’re great! I bought poppyseeds, sun dried tomatoes, and organic unsweetned dried mango, I think.
To make oatmeal SO easy in the morning… in a glass or other inert bowl, put desired about of oats, cover with warm water, and a tsp of apple cider vinegar, cover with a dishcloth. In the AM, strain, add desired mix ins, add some more water, bring to a boil and cook for about 5 minutes or until desired consistency is reached. The overnight soaking also helps to deactivate some of the abundant nutrient inhibitors that grains like oats have. Very quick and MUCH more digestible.
I really like steel cut oats, but I only make them on weekends b/c they take so long to make! I tried making a huge batch to split up over the week, but it turned kind of gummy and nasty. Bleh. I also like how rolled oats get SUPER creamy…but I love the chewy, nuttiness of steel cut!!
Steel cut oats are great. I make a large pot on Sunday and refrigerate for quick breakfast during the week for the family. I just use cinnamon to cook the weeks worth, and they add what they want each morning. It keeps very well.
Nuts Online – they’re so amazing, aren’t they? I’ve made a purchase from them a few months ago and actually got the steel cut oats. Love the last comment about soaking with warm water and acv – will have to try that! I love their nutty and chewy texture – I still like old fashioned oats, but like to change it up. Plus, if I put raisins in, the next day when eaten cold, it reminds me of rice pudding.
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