Hi all. I was wondering if the water requirements for oatmeal is linear
as the amount of oats increases. Is it like rice, the more you have the
less water you need (ie decreasing ratio 2:1, 4:2.5, etc. <= those
aren't the real numbers, just an example). I'd like to make a lot then
freeze it for later but don't want to water-log it. The recipe I have
calls for a 3:1 water to oat ratio. If I make 3 cups oats do I need 9
cups water or less?

Thanks,
Ben..

wrote:
> Hi all. I was wondering if the water requirements for oatmeal is
> linear as the amount of oats increases. Is it like rice, the more you
> have the less water you need (ie decreasing ratio 2:1, 4:2.5, etc. <=
> those aren't the real numbers, just an example). I'd like to make a
> lot then freeze it for later but don't want to water-log it. The
> recipe I have calls for a 3:1 water to oat ratio. If I make 3 cups
> oats do I need 9 cups water or less?
>
> Thanks,
> Ben..

I checked my container of Quaker Quick (1 minute) Oats and for 2-1/2 cups of
oats it calls for 1-1/2 cups of water. Read the label. BTW, I don't think
cooked oats will freeze well.

Jill

wrote:

> Hi all. I was wondering if the water requirements for oatmeal is linear
> as the amount of oats increases. Is it like rice, the more you have the
> less water you need (ie decreasing ratio 2:1, 4:2.5, etc. <= those
> aren't the real numbers, just an example). I'd like to make a lot then
> freeze it for later but don't want to water-log it. The recipe I have
> calls for a 3:1 water to oat ratio. If I make 3 cups oats do I need 9
> cups water or less?
>

My question is why you would need to worry about it. How much oatmeal would
you make just to put away in the freezer? I usually make a 4 serving batch
for myself and put the leftovers in the fridge and nuke it before eating
it. For something as cheap and easy as oatmeal it doesn't make much sense
to pre-cook large quantities. There is not much of a saving in time if you
have to wait for it to thaw.

I'm using steel cut oats that I got from the bulk section of Whole
Foods, hence no directions. I've actually frozen them before and they
thaw very well. I think the freeze/thaw process would destroy rolled
oats, but the steel cut hold their form and texture well.

On Thu 09 Jun 2005 08:41:46a, wrote in rec.food.cooking:

> I'm using steel cut oats that I got from the bulk section of Whole
> Foods, hence no directions. I've actually frozen them before and they
> thaw very well. I think the freeze/thaw process would destroy rolled
> oats, but the steel cut hold their form and texture well.

Rolled oats keep perfectly well in the freezer.

Your refer to water in your subject. Do you need to know how much and how to
cook them?

Recipes range from 3 to 4 cups of water to 1 cup of steel cut oats. Lightly
salted (perhaps 1/2 teaspoon), and cook over a very low heat for about 30
minutes or until oats are tendeer and mixture is thick.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
____________________________________________

Give me a smart idiot over a stupid genius any day.
Sam Goldwyn, 1882-1974

Correct, I'm interested in the water. So I will always use 3-4 per cup
of oats irrespective of the amount I'm making?

I do my steel cut oats in a crock pot set on low overnight. Perfect smell
to wake up to and I use the 3 to 1 ratio.
Love things that cook while we sleep.


--
Emil Luca

> wrote in message
ps.com...
> Correct, I'm interested in the water. So I will always use 3-4 per cup
> of oats irrespective of the amount I'm making?
>

On Thu 09 Jun 2005 10:27:44a, wrote in rec.food.cooking:

> Correct, I'm interested in the water. So I will always use 3-4 per cup
> of oats irrespective of the amount I'm making?

Yes, the 3-4 : 1 ration holds true for most portions. I personally prefer
the lesser amount of 3. If you're cooking absolutely huge quantities, you
would probably be better off using the greater amount of 4.

You may see a difference in size of the oat pieces depending on the brand of
oats. The smaller the pieces usually require the lesser amount.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
____________________________________________

Give me a smart idiot over a stupid genius any day.
Sam Goldwyn, 1882-1974