A question regarding oats.

Asked on 28 Jan 2017 by Wendy

Hi Lindsey

A question regarding oats. A previous question was about cranachan and the type of oats used. I can buy oats but I don't know if they are coarse oats or whole oats. They are definitely not rolled oats as for porridge as there are some husks mixed in. The packaging states they are for sprinkling on yogurt or can be stirred into soup or just eaten. I've tried making porridge, not brilliant as there's still a bit of liquid left over that's not been absorbed. Anyway my question is do you think they could be used for cranachan?

Love

Wendy x

Lindsey, Food Editor replied

Hi Wendy,

Your oats sound like coarse cut or pinhead oats. (Groats in Ireland or Steel-cut in America).

For porridge made with pinhead oats you can soak them in water overnight before you simmer them for 20 – 25 minutes.

Pinhead oats are exactly what we use for Cranachan.

A picture of Delia's Cranachan with Caramelised Oatmeal and Raspberry Sauce recipe

Cranachan with Raspberry Sauce

We also use them in the to coat fried herrings…

Fried Herrings with Oatmeal

Warmest wishes,

Lindsey x

Wendy replied

Thank you as always for your help I should have said the oats I buy are similar in size to porridge oats, so I think they'll be the coarse cut ones. Thanks also for your suggestion to use them in the herring recipe it would make a nice change from breadcrumbs. Wendy x