Here is an easy way to serve a crowd a hearty breakfast before facing the elements for a day of winter sports. You can assemble it in the slow cooker in the evening and wake up to a bowl of hot, nourishing oatmeal. The slow cooker eliminates the need for constant stirring and ensures an exceptionally creamy consistency. It is important to use steel-cut oats; old-fashioned oats become too soft during slow-cooking.

Makes 8 servings, 1 cup each

ACTIVE TIME: 5 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 7 to 8 hours (slow-cooker time), 1 hour 35 minutes (stovetop time)

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

8 cups water
2 cups steel-cut oats (see Ingredient note)
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup dried apricots, chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Combine water, oats, dried cranberries, dried apricots and salt in a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker. Turn heat to low. Put the lid on and cook until the oats are tender and the porridge is creamy, 7 to 8 hours.

Stovetop Variation
Halve the above recipe to accommodate the size of most double boilers: Combine 4 cups water, 1 cup steel-cut oats, 3 tablespoons dried cranberries, 3 tablespoons dried apricots and 1/8 teaspoon salt in the top of a double boiler. Cover and cook over boiling water for about 1 1/2 hours, checking the water level in the bottom of the double boiler from time to time.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 193 calories; 3 g fat (0 g sat, 1 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 35 g carbohydrate; 6 g protein; 9 g fiber; 78 mg sodium.

Nutrition bonus: Fiber (36% daily value).

2 Carbohydrate Servings

Exchanges:

2 starch
1/2 fruit

TIP: Ingredient Note: Steel-cut oats, sometimes labeled "Irish oatmeal," look like small pebbles. They are toasted oat groats—the oat kernel that has been removed from the husk that have been cut in 2 or 3 pieces. Do not substitute regular rolled oats, which have a shorter cooking time, in the slow-cooker oatmeal recipe.

RELATED RECIPES: Apricot-Walnut Cereal Bars | Cocoa-Date Oatmeal | Healthy Pancake Mix | Date-Oat Muffins | Strawberry-Rhubarb Bread Pudding

I do the same as the recipe calls for except after I add everything I bring it to a full boil. Then I boil for 2 additional min. cover with lid, turn off heat and go to bed...by morning it's just the perfect consistancy. I'm hooked on this!

Anonymous, wexford, pa

I used the microwave recipe on the box and added sliced strawberries. Very nice but a little gritty. Going to try using my 7 cup rice cooker (makes 14 cups cooked rice) and the slow cooker method. It has a non stick surface.

Anonymous, Toronto, CA

I loved the slow cooked method. However the bottom and sides of the oatmeal stuck to the crock. Any suggestions?

Anonymous, Cambridge Spgs, PA

I find steel cut oatmeal or Irish oatmeal right on the shelf of my local grocery store, Trader Joe's, or any health food store. It's not hard to locate!

Anonymous, Parsippany, NJ

I like three parts steel cut oats mixed with one part oat bran and one part wheat bran (adjust to taste) I soak then over night and cook them fresh in the morning in 20 minutes. I think I will try the 2 minute boil the night before and see if they done in morning. In reply to the constructive criticism from Houston, we in Arizona we find we can adjust the number of servings by dividing as well as multiplying the amount of ingredients in a simple recipe. It's not rocket science.

Anonymous, Tucson, Az

Cranberries give me MAJOR heartburn so I will need to omit them from the recipe. I'm thinking about substituting walnuts for the cranberries, but don't know whether I should put them in at the beginning with everything else, or just stir them in before serving in the morning. Any suggestions?

Anonymous, Saint Charles, MO

I agree with the other person that said it would help to have these recipes for 1 or 2 people. Not only is it good for singles but also for households where not all members want to eat the same thing. Besides, oatmeal is not one of those dishes that taste good the next day.

Anonymous, Lompoc, CA

I'm trying to find out where you get steel cut oats.

Anonymous, Melbourne, FL

I buy my Irish oatmeal from Amazon for $5 per can. Order 8 cans and the shipping is free.

Anonymous, Pittsburgh, PA

This was a GREAT Idea! It a very healthy and tasty recipe. An added bonus is I don't have to rush and cook my breakfast, since it's in a slow cooker it's ready when I am! Thanks

Anonymous, Atlanta, GA

What a nice thought...waking up to a nice hot bowl of already prepared steel cut oatmeal. This recipe was for a 6-8 servings. I'm single....will a small amount work just as well in a smaller crock pot?

Anonymous, Santa Barbara, Ca

I get so tired of recipes for such large amount,I am the only one in my household,so I don't eat right because I have to eat all week what I cook, or feed it to the dogs or horses. Also healthy eating recipes have ingredients I have never heard of,would probably have to throw away the remaining because I didn't like the recipe and would have spent money and thrown it away.

Anonymous, Madisonville, TN

I use 4 cups of skim milk and 1 cup of steel cut oats. I cook on top of the stove in a double boiler (it doesn't stick as much). When cool I divide it into 4 plastic containers and store in the refrigerator. Each morning I reheat one container in the microwave, then add 1 tbsp. ground flax seeds and 1 cup blueberries. Love it.

Anonymous, San Antonio, TX

Where can I purchase steel cut oats and I also wish reiterate the statement about scaling down recipes to start at one serving and build up.

Anonymous, Cheraw, SC

Sorry. I missed commenting with the question as to where I could get a slow cooker to use with this recipe. I do have a crock pot ...will that do? Only problem is unless there can be a way to store the excess beyond one serving use I would think that a crock pot would be too big!

Anonymous, Cheraw, SC

Sounds like from the first comment that she uses any recipe, including the one on the box...adds what she wants. She could also use the recipe given here. Her point is that she makes the recipe at night (whether for 8 or 1), brings to a boil, turns off and goes to bed. So, this will work for any number. I'm going to try it tonight! Thanks!!

Anonymous, Eugene, OR

Sounds like from the first comment that she uses any recipe, including the one on the box...adds what she wants. She could also use the recipe given here. Her point is that she makes the recipe at night (whether for 8 or 1), brings to a boil, turns off and goes to bed. So, this will work for any number. I'm going to try it tonight! Thanks!!

Anonymous, Eugene, OR

I agree with the other comment about smaller portions. A lot of recipes look delicious, but are hard to reduce for 1 or 2 people. It would be good to be told how to make them for smaller groups.

Anonymous, Birmingham, AL

I cook a whole can or bag of steel cut oats at one time, then refrigerate and take out only what we want each day. They will keep for a week. Much simpler than cooking just enough for two everyday.

Anonymous, Cheyenne, WY

It would be considerate to include recipes for 1 or 2 people... then, we could adjust upwards if necessary...

Anonymous, Houston, TX

This oatmeal can be precooked and then frozen in single-size containers. Reheat in a microwave oven.

Anonymous, Evanston, IL

I guess Anonymous, Houston, TX doesn't know how to divide or subtract.... This is a great way to make steel-cut oats!

Anonymous, Chicago, IL

I love this on the stove, but whenever I use my slowcooker, the sides burn.

Anonymous, Seattle, WA

I love the flavor and convenience of this recipe, and thanks for getting me started on steel-cut oats and more crockpot adventures. I love that little crunch of those oats!! I will be making more with blueberries and peaches this time...yum. It does stick to the sides... nice to know it wasn't something I did wrong, but it was worth it. Really good and so nutritious.

Anonymous, Florence, AL

Excellent taste and very satisfying. It was a delicious smell to wake up to. The texture was just right and the fruit was plump and juicy.

Anonymous, Hayward, WI

I have a regular size crockpot and a small one called a "Crockette". It holds enough for 2, or 2 helpings for 1. I love it! Trader Joes has a variety of whole grain cereals in one lb. bags. (Low prices too.) Some have fruit or nuts added. I like to take 1/4 cup each of 3 or 4 kinds: blueberries, apples, strawberries, pecans, etc. I let the cereal with fruit sit in water to soften the cereal and plump the fruit, then cook it for a short time when I'm ready. I add cinnamon and ginger to taste, no sugar. I use non-fat powdered milk, a little thicker than the standard mix, with the cereal. I do like raisins, dates, dried cranberries as well.

Anonymous, Torrance, CA

For a quick, make-ahead breakfast, freeze oatmeal in individual portions. It can be reheated quickly in the microwave, saving the fuss of measuring, cooking and cleaning up.

Anonymous, Sacramento, CA

I do the thermos cooking method. Get a wide mouth thermos, I use a thermos bowl I got at Target. You'll want a very wide mouth or bowl so you can clean it. Try to get all plastic so you can microwave it. Bring 1 cup of water and 1/4 cup of steel cut oats to a boil, simmer for about 2 mins. While they simmer, add dried cranberries or raisins or whatever to the thermos. After simmering for 2 or 3 mins pour into the thermos and seal it. Open it in the morning, and heat in the microwave for a min, and eat. Couldn't be easier! I actually take mine to work for lunch. Whole foods has bulk steel cut oats for about $1 a lb.

Anonymous, Los Angeles, CA

All the oatmeal packages have instructions for 1 serving. And a little basic math will tell you that if you use 2 cups oatmeal to 8 cups of water that you can make it for one by using 1/4 cup oatmeal to 1 cup of water or 1/2 cup oatmeal to 2 cups of water. I don't think the author was being inconsiderate by giving the larger portion recipe. They probably figured you could do the math. I like to use the thermos method but I simply add 1/2 cup oats, prefered sweetener, a few raisins or whatever fruit I want to my thermos. Pour 2 cups boiling water over it, cap it tight give it a couple of good shakes and it is ready to go the next morning. No cooking necessary. You can even add a little powdered milk to the dry mix and take it camping, hunting or whatever. Boiling water and 8 hours or so and you have a personal gourmet thermos of your favorite oatmeal. Works for Bear Mush, Ralston, or Cream or Wheat or Rice too.

Anonymous, Tomahawk, WI

I loved this recipe. I use my crock pot and it makes about 8 bowls of porridge. I freeze them in separate bowls, and breakfast is a breeze. Very convenient. Love it.

Gaully, Ontario

This receipe is fabulous. If you spray the crock with a little cooking spray the oatmeal comes right off. I also cooked mine in apple juice instead of water, it was wonderful. It makes a LOT, though. It keeps in the frig, I used it all week.

Peggy, Nashville, TN