Name: Savory Oatmeal with Peas, Pecorino, and Pepper
Total time: 2 h 35 min
Ingredients: 4 cups water , divided; 1 cup steel-cut oats; ¼ teaspoon table salt; 2 teaspoons lemon juice; 4 ounces Pecorino Romano cheese , grated fine (2 cups), plus extra for serving; 1½ teaspoons pepper; 1 cup frozen peas; 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

Why This Recipe Works

Most oatmeal fans agree that the steel-cut version of the grain offers the best flavor and texture, but many balk at the 40-minute cooking time. In this recipe, we decreased the cooking time to only 10 minutes by stirring steel-cut oats into boiling water the night before. This enabled the grains to hydrate and soften overnight. In the morning, we added more water and a bit of lemon juice and simmered the mixture for 4 to 6 minutes, until thick and creamy. Stirring in generous amounts of Pecorino and pepper gave these oats a deeply savory flavor, lemon juice augmented the cheese's tang, and a topping of peas provided visual appeal and pops of grassy sweetness. A final sprinkle of Pecorino and pepper and a drizzle of olive oil sealed the deal—this isn't your typical bowl of breakfast oats.

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Before You Begin

The oatmeal thickens as it cools; thin with boiling water for a looser consistency. For a heartier meal, top each serving with a fried or soft-cooked egg.

Instructions

Bring 3 cups water to boil in large saucepan over high heat. Off heat, stir in oats and salt. Cover saucepan and let stand for at least 2 hours or up to 10 hours.

Stir remaining 1 cup water and lemon juice into oats and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until oats are softened but still retain some chew and mixture thickens and resembles warm pudding, 4 to 6 minutes. Off heat, whisk in Pecorino and pepper until fully incorporated. Let stand for 5 minutes.

While oatmeal rests, microwave peas until warm, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir oatmeal and season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide evenly among 4 bowls. Top each portion with ¼ cup peas. Drizzle each portion with 1 teaspoon olive oil; sprinkle with additional Pecorino and pepper, if desired; and serve.