Nutritious Breakfast for 80 cents

Here is a simple inexpensive recipe for steel cut oats that I prepare every morning. It is healthy, nutritious, and easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

• Steel Cut Oats (0.5 cup)
• Water (1.5 cup)

Soak the steel cut oats in a pressure cooker (I use Kuhn Rikon Duromatic pressure cooker, but any pressure cooker would work) overnight. The soaking is optional, I find that the soaking makes the grains softer and they taste better when cooked subsequently in the pressure cooker.

Turn the heat to high and let the pressure reach the first red ring (8 psi above atmospheric pressure). Reduce the heat immediately to low and let cook for 10 minutes. Allow the pressure to drop naturally, another three to four minutes, and the cereal is ready. One could also cook the oats on the stove top or microwave, however I prefer the pressure cooker, it is easier and faster.

Toppings: Use your favorite toppings to complete the cereal, I like walnuts, raisins, and milk.

Nutrition Information:
Total Calories: 650 Calories
Protein: 18 grams
Fiber: 16 grams

Cost and Source of Ingredients:

• Steel Cut Oats (0.5 cup, 90 grams): 20 cents [$1.09/lb in bulk, Berkeley Bowl]
• Whole Milk (0.5 cup): 20 cents [$3.29/half gallon, organic milk]
• Raisins (1.5 oz., 40 grams): 20 cents [$2.29/lb, Berkeley Bowl]
• Walnuts (3 whole walnuts, 6 half pieces, 16 grams): 20 cents [Whole fresh walnuts at $2/lb from Kaki Farms at Berkeley Farmers Market]
• Total cost of breakfast: 80 cents.