John McCann’s Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal (28 oz. can)
Item Purchased: John McCann’s Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal (28 oz. can)
Location Purchased: Trader Joe’s / 44 E. Ontario St. / Chicago, IL
Price: $4.99 + tax
Purchased on: 05/23/07
Review: My girlfriend recently tried oatmeal for the first time in her life, and has since become quite a fan. At first, I thought it strange that she hadn’t had the pleasure of eating this greatest of breakfast food. That was until I, myself, tried steel cut oats for the first time just the other day. Where have you been all of my life, you nutty full-flavor grain meal?
No steaming, rolling or toasting here. Just pure grain and pure flavor. The oat grain resembles very large couscous when in its dry form and a substantial porridge that would make Oliver Twist sing for seconds when it is cooked.
Though preparation for steel cut oats is an endeavor that takes nearly an hour from start to finish and is worthy of a Sunday morning crossword puzzle, I maintain that it is worth it. McCann’s Irish Oatmeal has a full flavor and substantial presence that makes you feel as if you ate a breakfast instead of an appetizer. After trying these things, I doubt I’ll ever go back to rolled oats or (breakfast gods forbit) instant oatmeal.
I could go on and on about the new breakfast awakening I have just experienced by trying what I will refer to as real oatmeal, but since most of you have probably already tried steel cut oats at one point in your life, I will make a suggestion. One of the very first recipes in the phenomenal calls specifically for McCann’s oatmeal and will tell you how to create some of the tastiest oatmeal squares you have ever seen. That picture over to the right is how my first attempt turned out. My suggestion is to try it yourself, then thank me.
Rating: 4.5 / 5
May 29th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Where did you buy them?
And how does this square with the grease-laden breakfast from over the weekend? Is this like penance?
June 1st, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Every time you refer to a “girlfriend” I giggle a little bit, because it makes me think of you as 18. I think she needs to make a Consumatron cameo…
Oatmeal. Yack. Only edible in oatmeal cookies. If you must
June 8th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
sometimes i just let them cook in salted water while I take a rather quick shower and when I get out they’re done. maybe I eat them when they’re a little firmer? I never cooked them for an hour. I throw some chopped apple or berries into it and let the apple cook a bit in the heat before I eat it. I got them free from a photo shoot as they were a prop. Do they sell them at whole foods?