Basic Prep: Soaking and Cooking Oat Groats

There's a saying in my house, work smart, not hard. Meal prep is a way for me to do just that. It's smart to make extras of everything when you're raising up boys, so I fill up the instant pot with wholesome oat groats to feed them all sorts of meals.- Before cooking them though, I let them soak a while because our bellies appreciate this.  It isn't essential for everyone necessarily, but soaking makes grains easier to digest, and it also cuts the cooking time in about half, depending on how much chew you like! 

Meal Prep: Overnight Instant Pot Oat Groats 

I like to make a large batch of oat groats at one time. They can be used for breakfast bowls, mixed with fresh fruits and sweet spreads, and what's left after breakfast can be added to salads and a great deal of savory dishes. I like to use oat groats in dishes that might use wild rice, beans, or a great variety of typically savory ingredients. Oats are affordable and really versatile. I keep them in my pantry because when it comes to grains, they are gluten free, but also they are a familiar, subtle flavor we have always enjoyed. 

• 2 Cups Local Oat Groats
• 4 Cups Water
• 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar 
• 1 teaspoon Sea Salt, more or less to taste (optional)

Rinse your whole oat groats under cold water. Place them in your instant pot bowl with water and vinegar. Cover and allow to rest at room temperature for 8 hours, or overnight. In the morning, stir in the salt, and set your pot to Manual High Setting, for 20 Minutes. Once your groats are finished, they can be drained and rinsed. Fluff them up with a fork and serve, or stored for about a week in the fridge. (They can also be frozen into whatever portions you'd like and stored long term for fast meals!)

Soaking your whole grains overnight or, at least eight hours, helps to reduce the cooking time, and it softens the grains overall texture. Soaking can make foods such as grains, beans and seeds, healthier overall for our health by reducing phytic acid, and making them easier to digest. Reduction of phytic acid is just one reason that many traditional cultures usually soak, sprout, or ferment. OVERNIGHT SLOW COOKER GROATS- Soak your groats as directed, cook on high in your slow cooker for two hours or low 6-7.