Last weekend, while food shopping with Zoe, I was about to buy a cylinder of quick oats when she stopped me.
"Mom, can we get Irish oats?"
"Why?"
"I dunno. I want to try them."
"Um, OK..."
So we got the steel-cut Irish-style oats instead. Now it's Tuesday morning, and as Zoe has just finished up the last of the quick oats, I am left with the new Irish variety to try. I read the directions: "simmer for 30 minutes or until desired consistency." 30 minutes? On a weekday morning? Are they crazy? Well, I figured, I'll just use the microwave. Then I see those words that never fail to make me cringe...
"MICROWAVE PREPARATION IS NOT RECOMMENDED"
Great. Well, having set my heart on oatmeal today I get to work. I boil the water, stir in the oats, then lower the heat to simmer as it thickens. Then, as I stand there stirring and waiting and waiting an unexpected thing happens...I relax. What's the rush? I notice that this oatmeal is thick and smells wonderful, rich and nutty - nothing like those other oats. When I finally try it (well under 30 minutes later, by the way) I am hooked. With a little butter and a drizzle of maple syrup, it was easily the most delicious oatmeal I have ever tasted. And the girls still made it to school on time, with lunches and everything.
No Big Hurry Irish-style Oatmeal
serves 2-4
3 cups water
1 cup steel-cut oats
pinch of salt
Bring the water to a boil and stir in the oats and salt. Simmer until desired consistency (around 20 minutes if you like it a little chewy, 30 minutes if you'd like softer oats). Serve immediately with butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, or whatever you like.
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