With the summer months coming up and warmer weather right around the corner...hot cereal
( multi-grain or oatmeal ) tends to fall off the menu. Why? Eating the grain cereal hot just isn't the way many people want to start an already warm day. But don't let that get in your way. Did you know you don't have to cook the oats? This is also a wonderful shortcut when time in the morning is precious. Just mix this up the night before, and grab the jar the next morning.
( Edited to add: What are steel cut oats and why are they better than regular oatmeal? Steel cut oats are whole grain groats (the inner portion of the oat kernel) which have been cut into only two or three pieces by steel rather than being rolled. Quaker oats, and other oats, are rolled and are not whole with the nutritious groat. )
Obviously, the recipe below can be tweaked and customized to your personal tastes. With the addition of cardamon and ginger, you get a chai taste. Take those out and you'll have just as delicious a result if chai isn't your thing. Not a big maple syrup fan? Try honey - or even stevia instead.
Note - try this to see if you like it. The end result is a chewier, firmer oatmeal. It isn't the creamy, soft oatmeal you may be used to. I liked it, a lot - but I tend to like my oatmeal and grain cereals a tad chewy.
It reminded me ( texture wise ) of Grape Nuts that had softened considerable but not at the mushy stage.
Overnight Steel Cut Chai Oatmeal - a No Cook version
1 cup steel-cut oats
1 cup almond milk
2 tablespoons ground flax
1/4 teaspoon cardamon
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Optional toppings–shredded coconut, pecans, almonds, toasted hazelnuts, etc.
In a medium bowl combine oats, almond milk, flax, cardamon, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and maple syrup. Divide, in equal portions, into two 8 ounce glass bowls with lids. Close the lid and refrigerate overnight.
Open lid, stir and sprinkle with toppings of your choice.
Makes 2 servings
Note: your can also use any other container that has a lid. The lid is important to prevent evaporation of liquid while in the fridge overnight. You want to keep the moisture at the oat - not evaporated into the fridge atmosphere.