421712 Mon Jul 16 15:19:29 -0700 2007 26 7 Chicago Area 0 2755137 A near constant throng of dietary experts is recommending that we eat more oatmeal. Two questions: (1) which restaurant has the best oatmeal in town? Mon Jul 16 15:19:29 -0700 2007 72846 pouletbuffet 1 2755143 The other question was if I want to make some good oatmeal at home-any recommendations for the tastiest and most healthy brand you can find at your local whole foods or dominicks? Mon Jul 16 15:21:24 -0700 2007 2755137 72846 pouletbuffet 2 2755311 Not sure about question 1 - but for question 2 go with steel cut oatmeal - provides IMO a better taste - I have had a few brands and are were good - Mon Jul 16 16:32:16 -0700 2007 2755143 11622 weinstein5 2 2755414 McCann's Steel Cut oats are sold in a tin are stocked at a lot of places and take some time to prepare, but they have the best texture and a rich flavor. Avoid instant or quick cook oats at all costs - they're par cooked so they have less nutrition and it tastes like paper. Mon Jul 16 17:07:39 -0700 2007 2755143 109044 Bunson 3 2756575 If you soak them overnight they cook up quickly in the AM Tue Jul 17 06:05:23 -0700 2007 2755414 10285 Candy 2 2758197 Just to chime in - I'm always a fan of oatmeal cookies to get in my oats (honestly). Instead of butter I use olive oil, instead of eggs I use egg substitute, and I throw in an extra cup of oat bran for the benefit. Granted there's still sugar (but that doesn't effect the choles. or fat) but they're actually really good. Tue Jul 17 12:49:59 -0700 2007 2755143 103854 HunterJay 2 2759047 I cook steel cut oats in a slow cooker. You have the option of adding dried fruit, but I usually wait until it's almost done to maintain its integrity. You can always cook a lot and freeze them in portion sized containers for an easy breakfast anytime you want. Tue Jul 17 16:36:43 -0700 2007 2755143 90814 Vegasbuff 2 2791042 Although you can't find it at whole foods or dominicks the oatmeal I love is Flavahans Progress Oats. you can find them at most Irish stores or you can order it online. Fri Jul 27 21:29:54 -0700 2007 2755143 92459 garyro23 1 2756507 I don't know of any restaurants that make their oatmeal -- steel-cut, Irish or Scottish cut -- with milk instead of water. I think that makes a huge difference in the quality of both taste and texture so i almost never order it when I am out. Tue Jul 17 05:31:48 -0700 2007 2755137 24468 chicgail 2 2758089 I originally had steel cut oatmeal at Ina''s in Lincoln Park - I have not been to here new place on Randolph but would assume it is served there as well - http://www.breakfastqueen.com/index.html Tue Jul 17 12:25:21 -0700 2007 2756507 11622 weinstein5 1 2756566 Some of the Latin American places in town have oatmeal shakes. Try Irazu. Tue Jul 17 06:01:17 -0700 2007 2755137 21560 Amata 1 2756819 Lucky platter in Evanston has excellent oatmeal. Tue Jul 17 07:33:45 -0700 2007 2755137 10117 leek 1 2756831 The small chain of Egg Harbors do a pretty nice baked oatmeal - locations thru out the suburbs. Also, we were at Meli Cafe over the weekend and while I didn't have it, their baked oatmeal also looked quite tasty. Tue Jul 17 07:37:17 -0700 2007 2755137 11195 LAWoman 1 2756968 Milk and Honey has excellent oatmeal. Taste like steel cut and they also give you walnuts and raisins. It is delicious. Surprisingly, I've actually enjoyed the oatmeal at Corner Bakery as well. Tue Jul 17 08:14:52 -0700 2007 2755137 43804 NDJ 2 2756998 I agree...Corner Bakery really does have great oatmeal that you can top with almonds, walnuts, dried cranberries, raisins, or brown sugar.. Tue Jul 17 08:22:22 -0700 2007 2756968 112363 klc 1 2757390 You can buy steel-cut oatmeal loose at the Hyde Park Co-op. Many health food stores also offer steel-cut oatmeal loose. Tue Jul 17 09:53:03 -0700 2007 2755137 10261 jbw 1 2758716 Definitely try McCann's Irish Oatmeal (steel cut). If you're making it for 4 people, you can even use the slow cooker...there are some good recipes in "Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook" using dried apples, raisins, etc. It is wonderful to wake up to the smell of warm oatmeal, and all you have to do is go dish it up! Tue Jul 17 14:43:31 -0700 2007 2755137 86665 mrsgus 1 2759040 in terms of restaurant oatmeal, i was pretty happy with Bin 36's oatmeal (http://www.menuism.com/restaurants/aqFOd2jLyr24upabBlKsEs-bin-36-chicago-il). Restaurant oatmeal can be really strange - I agree with chicgail, it's gross if it's made with water - but I don't like milk, so I hate a strong milk taste and smell. Bin 36 had neither. Maybe they used a white wine or something. Tue Jul 17 16:33:07 -0700 2007 2755137 102771 pegleggedheart 1 2760157 You can definitely get the LONG cook, steel cut oats at Whole Foods, etc. in bulk. That might end up being cheaper than McCann's. But be sure to get the steel cut ones. To cook - toast 1 cup of oats in a pan with a little butter. Just until they become fragrant and a bit darker in color. Do not overcook. At the same time, have warming up in a pot 1 cup milk and 3 cups water. Do not boil! Bring just to a simmer. Add toasted oats to hot liquid, lower temp. and simmer for 20 mins, stir and add 1/4 tsp. salt.. Simmer for another 7-10 mins, then turn off heat and let rest for 5 mins. Add sweetening, fruit, etc. This makes 4 very generous servings. You can eat one and save the rest for later in the week. Wed Jul 18 06:01:10 -0700 2007 2755137 10117 leek 2 2762665 My favorite oatmeal is "Country Choice Organic Oats, Old Fashioned" which are already oven toasted which add flavor to the dull oatmeal. They sell this brand at Trader Joes and Whole Foods, This is a picture of the Country Choice Organic Oats canister: http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51iIHoc4cuL._SS500_.jpg Wed Jul 18 17:00:30 -0700 2007 2760157 44596 polster 3 2778885 Thanks for all the suggestion! So far the best restaurant oatmeal has been the peach oatmeal at Yolk and the reliable and easy to get corner bakery oatmeal. Tue Jul 24 11:19:10 -0700 2007 2762665 72846 pouletbuffet 1 2779407 orange has really good pan-seared oatmeal. they use steel cut oats. Tue Jul 24 13:20:03 -0700 2007 2755137 95292 marina13 1 2779444 My fave is Bob's Red Mill Steel Cut Oats. It comes in a celophane package. The oats take 10-20 minutes to slow-cook but I make a batch and get 3-4 servings out of it. (I'm the only one in my family who will touch the stuff.) What I don't eat the first day I refrigerate. The next morning I nuke it with a little milk to soften and moisten it. Tastes just as good with raisins, walnuts and bananas....which is how I always top my oatmeal. Tue Jul 24 13:31:25 -0700 2007 2755137 105292 HungryLetsEat 2 2787965 Try the oatmeal at Milk and Honey on Division. They serve it with dried cherries, which is fantastic. There's another place in Chicago, and I can't quite think of which one--I think either Orange or Bongo Room--that has pan seared oatmeal with a sort of syrup reduction, which I will concede sounds absurd, but which actually tasted great! Thu Jul 26 20:31:00 -0700 2007 2779444 89507 allieinbklyn 1 4257149 I can't say its the best oatmeal in the city, but it certainly wins when it comes to convenience. Jamba Juice is now serving steel cut oatmeal for breakfast every morning. If you want to try, you can download a coupon here: http://spreadwarmth.tumblr.com/post/65460354/jamba-chicago-coupon-hey-chicago-jamba-juice Thu Dec 18 11:18:34 -0800 2008 2755137 249595 LaurenEI 2 4259297 LaurenEl, it appears from your profile that you chose to join CH so you could dig out every old thread on oatmeal in Chicago to post your promotion. What is particularly odd that your profile says you are in LA, but talking about eating oatmeal in Chicago. That's a heckofa long way to go for breakfast! Personally, I don't care for steel cut oatmeal (vastly prefer thick cut -- Scottish-style -- rolled oats), and only when made with milk, never water. That's why I only eat it at home -- never at restaurants and wouldn't bother with the chain's version. Sorry. Fri Dec 19 07:54:28 -0800 2008 4257149 24468 chicgail 1 4259087 Check out this other thread on Oatmeal in Chicago - http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/111746 Fri Dec 19 06:19:39 -0800 2008 2755137 10117 leek