Time is your friend when preparing steel cut oats. If you can anticipate that you will want oatmeal in the morning, start your oats the night before. The chewy, hearty steel cut oats are a filling and healthy breakfast, high in B vitamins, calcium, protein, iron and fiber and low in salt and unsaturated fat. Do not negate the health benefits of your steel cut oats by topping them with butter or loads of sugar or honey.

Soak

Place 1/4 cup oats and 1 cup liquid per serving into a pot. You can use all milk for a creamy oatmeal, or water or soy milk for a vegan breakfast.

Put the covered pot into the refrigerator overnight.

Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon.

Place on a heat diffuser on the stove if you have a gas stovetop.

Cook

Turn the stove on high and cover the pot.

When the liquid starts to bubble, stir and turn the heat to low.

Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.

Stir with a wooden spoon. If oats are not creamy enough, cook for another 5 to 10 minutes, until desired consistency is achieved.

Top with cinnamon, a brown sugar sprinkle or drizzle of honey, or best of all, blueberries or raisins.