It's no secret that breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. Eating a breakfast loaded with nutrients is an excellent way to start your morning off right and keep you energized for all of the tasks ahead. If you want to change your weekly menu to more healthy breakfast options, we have just the dish for you. Scottish oatmeal is one of the most nutritious breakfast dishes around. Full of complex carbohydrates, it produces a slow release of energy that will keep you feeling satisfied from breakfast to lunchtime.
Though Scottish oatmeal may be new to you, it isn't a new breakfast item. In fact, this oatmeal has been around since late medieval times. Grown in Scotland, oats have been the staple diet of crofters for centuries. With no way of preserving oats, they were turned into a thick paste and stored in a wooden porridge draw. The paste was eaten out of the draw for several days. Then, after a while, it would harden and be served in thick slices for lunch and breakfast when cold.
Scottish oatmeal was initially made with water and salt and didn't exactly resemble the thick and creamy oatmeal that we enjoy today. Now, Scottish oatmeal is made in a variety of tastes and textures. Some bowls feature thick oatmeal combined with sweet toppings, whereas others offer a lighter and smooth consistency. The way you decide to make Scottish oatmeal, and the toppings you choose entirely depend on your taste preferences.
Bob's Red Mill Scottish Oatmeal
At Bob's Red Mill, we pride ourselves on the quality of our oats. Our Scottish oats are ground on stone mills from whole oat groats. This results in a fairly fine oat yet still more coarsely ground than flour. As a result, Scottish oatmeal takes on a more porridge-like texture than you'd typically expect from oats when cooked. It is creamy, thick and cooks almost instantly when combined with boiling water. Scottish oats are excellent for baking and are used in countless recipes.
Scottish Oatmeal Recipe
If you love the idea of waking up to a big bowl of Scottish oatmeal, then you're in luck. An easy-to-make dish, this oatmeal is one that the entire family will love. Smooth, creamy and incredibly versatile, we're confident that it will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients
1/2 tsp Salt
3 cups Water
1 cup Scottish Oatmeal or Gluten Free Scottish Oatmeal, or Organic Scottish Oatmeal
Instructions
Making Scottish Oatmeal on the Stovetop
- Bring the water and salt to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat and add one cup of cereal. Cook for 10 minutes.
- Combine with your favorite toppings and enjoy.
(Makes 4 servings)
Making Scottish Oatmeal in the Microwave
- Combine ¼ cup oats and ¾ cup water in a large bowl.
- Microwave for 3 minutes.
- Add chosen toppings.
- Cover the oatmeal and let it stand for 2 minutes.
(Makes 1 serving)
Tips for Making Scottish Oatmeal
Scottish oatmeal is a bit thicker than your typical bowl of oatmeal. If when making it you feel like it's too thick, it can easily be thinned by adding a bit more water or milk. For a creamier porridge, use 2 to 2 ½ cups of milk.
To make authentic Scottish oatmeal, you'll want to use a wooden spurtle—a wooden Scottish kitchen tool that's commonly used to stir porridge, soups and stews. Swap it with a wooden spoon if you don't have a spurtle on hand. Spurtles and wooden spoons allow oatmeal to be stirred without congealing and forming lumps. Wooden spoons also don't react as quickly to hot temperatures or chemically react with acidic foods.
How fine or coarse an oat is ground determines how hearty the dish will be. Because Scottish oats are stone-ground, they create a unique texture that's hard to replicate. To make authentic Scottish oatmeal, you'll want to ensure that you are using Scottish oats.
The Difference Between Scottish Oats and Traditional Oats
We know that Scottish oats are used to make Scottish oatmeal, but how do they differ from traditional oats? The main difference between Scottish oats and traditional rolled oats is how they are made. Rolled oats are oat groats that undergo a steaming process so that they don't crack as they're run through the rolling mills. This rolling process flattens the oat groats and gives them more surface area, which helps reduce overall cook time. The flattening of the oat groat also provides oats with a tender chewiness and nutty taste.
Scottish oats are oat groats that are more finely ground into a meal. More coarse than flour yet more delicate than rolled oats, when cooked, Scottish oats create a delicious porridge-style dish that tastes rich and creamy. In the UK, this texture is called oatmeal, whereas it resembles more of porridge in the US.
Unique Ways to Use Scottish Oatmeal
While Scottish oatmeal can be eaten similarly to porridge, it's not the only way to enjoy this wholesome ingredient. From breakfast bars to sweet desserts, each of the recipes below features a unique and flavorful way to use the Scottish oats in your pantry.
Turn it Into Bread
Make the most out of your bag of Scottish oatmeal by turning it into delicious sandwich bread. When combined with Whole Wheat Flour and honey, Scottish oatmeal adds a heartiness to this bread, making it the perfect choice for your next peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Simple to make, only a few ingredients are needed to create this Honey Oatmeal Bread recipe ideal for novice and advanced bakers.
Bake up a Batch of Oat Cakes
Oatcakes aren't just a popular treat in Scotland; they are loved worldwide. To create a great-tasting batch of Bob's Favorite Scottish Oatcakes, start with Bob's Red Mill Scottish Oatmeal and combine it with Whole Wheat Pastry Flour. A match made in heaven, these two grains work together to create crispy and nutty flavored cakes that can be combined with sweet and savory flavors. Pair the finished cakes with lemon curd and berries, or enjoy them alongside crackers and cheese. Their versatile nature makes them ideal for any meal or event.
Leveled-up Oatmeal
While we love traditional Scottish oatmeal, our favorite thing about this dish is that it's completely customizable. When making oatmeal, you get to choose which toppings you'd like to add in, allowing you the freedom to create some pretty delicious flavor combos. The next time you're looking to spice things up for your morning bowl of oats, start by making this Michigan Cherry Walnut Oatmeal. Made with our Scottish Oatmeal, fudge, bing cherries and chopped walnuts, it's loaded with naturally sweet flavors that turn this breakfast dish into a dessert. Loved by children and adults alike, it's sure to win over everyone at the table.
Meal Prep on-the-go Cereal Bars
Are you big into meal prepping? If so, then you're going to love this snack bar recipe. These Whole Grain Cereal Bars are the perfect way to enjoy your morning bowl of oatmeal on-the-go. A combination of 5 Grain Rolled Cereal and Scottish Oats, it is easy to make and can be kept in the freezer until you're ready to eat. Enjoy a quick bar as breakfast while heading out the door, or pack one with you as a midday snack.
Serve Scottish Oatmeal Pancakes
A fun twist on your usual pancake recipe, these Scottish Oatmeal Pancakes combine our whole Wheat Pastry Flour with Scottish Oatmeal to create a light, fluffy and whole-grain pancake as excellent for you as it tastes. Then, top it off with fresh fruit and your choice of jam or syrup for a breakfast so good, you won't want to put the fork down.
Snack on a Sweet Dessert
We couldn't end this article without including a flavor-filled dessert recipe. The perfect recipe to create when you're tired of bringing the same dessert to the table, these Scottish Oatmeal Cookies are full of flavors like cinnamon and cloves that create a sweet and spice-filled treat ideal for making in large batches. Bring a plate of these cookies to your next gathering, or whip up a bunch to enjoy during family game night. They're sure to be a hit no matter when you serve them.
Ready to begin cooking with Scottish oatmeal? Start by making Scottish oatmeal from scratch, or choose from one of the recipes above. A wholesome and straightforward ingredient, we're confident that you won't want to stop once you begin baking with it. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, we wish you the best on your baking journey!
Do you cook with Scottish oatmeal regularly? We'd love to hear more about the different recipes you create with this ingredient. Share your favorite Scottish oatmeal-based dishes with us in the comments below.
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