When we got a table, we were amazed at all the different choices on the menu. There was an item called Baked Oatmeal, that grabbed my attention. Baked oatmeal? What is this and how do you bake oatmeal? I ordered one at the last minute. Boy, am I glad I did!
It is a slab, I mean huge piece, of cooked steel cut oats, that had been refrigerated and fried in butter and drizzled with maple syrup. Then a nice portion of a berry compote, lemon curd and whipped cream We enjoyed it so much, we ordered one to go, the morning we left town.
Since my experience in Canada, I have made this oatmeal several times. Each time, everyone loves it. My nephew once said, "The oatmeal is just a vehicle for all the other wonderful toppings!" I have to admit, he is right.
BAKED OATMEAL
2 C. Steelcut Oats
6 C. Water
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 C. Maple Syrup
Berry Compote
3 C. Three Berry Blend (Costco in freezer)
1 C. Sugar
2 Tbsp. Corn Starch
1/4 C. Cold Water
Lemon Curd
3 Lemons
1/2 C. Butter
1 1/2 C. Sugar
4 Eggs
1/4 C. Lemon Juice (3-4 lemons)
1/8 tsp. Salt
2 C. Whipping Cream
1/2 C. Powdered Sugar
You need to think ahead to make this! I like to make the oatmeal two days before I am going to serve it. You can make the berry compote and lemon curd ahead too, if you want to serve them cold, like I do.
The package instructions on a carton of steelcut oats is usually 1 cup of oatmeal to 3 cups of water. Bring water to boil and then add oatmeal. Stir and bring to a boil. Then place the lid on it and simmer for 30 minutes. Once cooked, I refrigerate the oatmeal because I fry it up when I assemble the dish. Push it into a 9 x 13 pan and cover with saran wrap, then refrigerate.
I read online about a shortcut to make steelcut oats. Get water boiling and then add the oatmeal. Bring the oatmeal back to a boil. Put the lid on it and turn off the heat. Let it sit overnight on the top of the stove. In the morning, I stir it up and put it in a 9 x 13 pan. When you are ready to serve, cut oatmeal into large square pieces. Put in a fry pan in some butter. Fry on both sides until you get a crust. It will be golden brown, nice and hot. You should be able to get 9-12 pieces of oatmeal.
Berry Compote - Put the berries in a pan and add the sugar. If you like sweeter berries, add more sugar. With the lemon curd and whipping cream, I like a little sour with the sweet. Mix corn starch and water and add to the berries and sugar. Heat it to a boil and stir until it is thick. I like my berries thick. If you want more of a syrup, do not use the cornstarch.
Lemon Curd - This is Ina Garten's Recipe. Zest three lemons. If you do not have a zester, use the small side of your grater. Make sure not to get the white, bitter part of the lemon.
Mix the zest with the sugar. Make sure it is well mixed together. Beat the butter and gradually add the lemon sugar mixture. Add one egg at a time until well mixed. Then gradually add the lemon juice and salt. If you add the lemon juice all at once, it has a tendency to curdle the eggs.
Put this mixture in a sauce pan and cook over medium heat until it starts to boil. Stir constantly while cooking. I refrigerate the lemon curd before I use it. It thickens it up, like pie filling.
Whipping Cream - Put whipping cream in a bowl and whip until soft peaks form. Sprinkle in the powdered sugar and whip to the consistency you like. My mom always used powdered sugar when making whipped cream. I was amazed that others use granulated sugar when making it. I can always taste the grittiness of the sugar if is it not powdered sugar.
Do you know you can make powdered sugar in your blender? Put 1 C. granulated sugar in your blender and mix on high until you have powdered sugar.
To assemble, put fried oatmeal on plate. Drizzle with real maple syrup. Then top with a big spoonful of berry compote. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of lemon curd and a big spoonful of whipped cream. You will want seconds on this one!