Warm Breakfast on a Cold Morning

Nothing is more cozy on a cold morning than a piping hot bowl of oat groats. Groats are the whole oat (like a wheat berry), germ and all, and they are considered to be one of the richest sources of protein amongst the whole grains. And since they have not been processed they are more healthy and more filling than a regular bowl of oatmeal. We love their chewy texture and enjoy eating them drizzled with maple syrup.

Just add 3 cups of water for every 1 cup of whole oat groats, a sprinkle of salt and a tab of butter. You can then cook them on the stove top, in the oven or in a buttered crock pot. I have never cooked them on the stove top since you would have to watch them. I don't have the patience in the morning, so I put them in the oven at 350 degrees and cook them for close to 2 hours (take the lid off in the last 30 minutes or so) in a covered casserole dish. I do stir them from time to time to prevent sticking. And if you do not have the time for a leisurely breakfast (like on the weekend), you can always cook your groats overnight in a well buttered crock pot. Just cook on low and assemble the crock right before you go to bed and you will have a warm breakfast waiting for you when you get up. Not such a bad thing on a cold winter morning, huh? The best part of groats is that you can top them any way you like to top your oatmeal- dried or fresh fruit, honey, butter, syrup and salt, jam, toasted nuts, etc.

If you like oatmeal, we hope you will give oat groats a try. We think you will like them as much as we do!