Oat Groats

We have heard about oats and also know that oat is one of the best and healthiest breakfast food. But what is with oat groats? How are they any different from the normal oatmeal, that we have for breakfast? Oat groats are nothing but hulled whole oats. They are normally cleaned and then toasted. This is said to be a superb source of whole grains and soluble fiber as well. There are different ways of eating oat groats and cooking them is just one of the options. You will have to cook them the way you would cook rice. Their nutritional value is also high, they help in reducing cholesterol levels in the body and they also reduce the risk of heart diseases. If you are gluten intolerant, then you can have oat groats. Gluten-free oats are actually certified by Gluten Free Certification Organization, hence, you will want to take a look at the package before you actually buy the product.

Oat Groats Recipe

Oat groats are sweet as compared to the other grains and also meaty and have satisfying moist chewy texture. They make for a great breakfast dish and are similar to brown rice. They can used as a grain entrée or in a casserole, stir-fry, soups, etc. You can also try oat groat cookies like the oatmeal cookies.

Breakfast Oat Groat Recipe
This makes for a wonderful healthy breakfast recipe, which will keep you full till lunch time, and also you will not snack in between.

Ingredients

• Oat groats 1 cup
• Water 1 ¼ cups
• Sea salt ¼ teaspoon
• Unsalted butter ½ tablespoon
• Walnuts (chopped) ¼ cup

Method

• In a dry frying pan toast the groats over medium heat, till the oats are aromatic and one shade darker.
• In a saucepan combine water, salt and butter and bring it to a boil.
• Once the water has boiled, add oats to the water, lower the heat and cover the saucepan to let the oats cook for about 45 minutes Till all the liquid is absorbed and the oats are tender.
• Remove the pan from the heat and let it stand aside for 10 to 12 minutes with the lid on.
• Fluff the oats with fork and serve them hot, but do not forget to garnish them walnuts, before you serve them.

Oat Groat Chicken Soup
When you cook oat groats, you will realize, that they have a resilient texture that is similar to wheat berries. They add textural contrast to the soup.

Ingredients

• Uncooked oat groats 1 cup
• Olive oil 1 tablespoon
• Chopped onion 1 ½ cups
• Chopped celery 1 cup
• Chopped carrot ¾ cup
• Diced zucchini 1 cup
• Minced garlic cloves 2
• Chicken broth 4 cups
• Chopped skinless, boneless chicken breast 2 cups
• Green beans 1 cup
• Chopped fresh thyme 2 teaspoons
• Diced tomatoes 1 can
• Thawed green peas 1 cup
• Fresh chopped basil 2 tablespoons

Method

• In a large sauce pan, combine water and oats together and bring them to a boil.
• Reduce the heat and let the oats cook, till they are tender.
• In another pan heat oil and add onion, celery and carrot and sauté for about 8 minutes, till they are tender.
• Then add zucchini and garlic to the onion and sauté again for 2 minutes.
• Now add cooked oats, chicken broth, chicken pieces, green beans, thyme and tomatoes to the pan, bring them to a boil and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
• At last add peas and basil to the pan, stir and the soup is ready to be served.

Oat Groats Crock Pot Recipe
If you have to leave early for work the next day, then you can let the oats cook in the crock pot overnight, so that you do not miss onto your breakfast, before you leave for work.

Ingredients

• Whole oat groats 1 ½ cups
• Water 6 ½ cups
• Salt 1 teaspoon
• Cinnamon stick 1

Method

• Combine all the ingredients in a crock pot.
• Let it cook on low heat overnight.
• In the morning, if you feel that the oats are way thinner, than you would like them, then remove the lid and let it cook for another 10 minutes.
• Discard the cinnamon stick and serve.
• If you want you can also add vegetables of your choice to this recipe as this is the basic recipe to make oat groats in a crock pot.

Once you take liking to oat groats, I do not think you will go back to the normal oats because of all the nutritional value the former offers over the latter. You can also be creative and alter the recipes to have new recipes every time.