Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cacao Nibs and Sauteed Bananas

My step-grandfather ate a ham and cheese sandwich like almost daily in his later years. At least that's the story that was passed around. I guess when some folks age, having the same food everyday is comforting for them? Hmm....I'm all about comfort food, but I crave variety with my meals. 
It's funny, we'll make a big pot of vegetarian chili on a Sunday, with the grand idea that we'll eat it every day till it's gone. By day two, I'm over it. I'm bored. I need to switch things up.

That's kind of how I feel about oatmeal. I do love it for breakfast. But, I need to make it more enticing, more interesting some days. It's the perfect blank canvas to do that too!

So this is my latest version and well....it's pretty much amazeballs.

It started with an overabundance of bananas. We always have a bounty of bananas around for green smoothies, but this time I left some out to get ultra ripe. And I just bought cacao nibs for the first time. Had to get those in there.

I really always prefer cooked banana over raw ones, so I sauteed these babies up in a little butter till they became golden beauties. Added a little spice, a little sweet, some hemp seeds, and cacao nibs....so yummy. 
Oh, and you gotta use the steel cut oats. They make the best, creamiest oatmeal. Once you go steel cut, you may never go back!

P.S. {Cut down on cook time tip: boil your water the night before, add the steel cut oats, turn off heat, and cover. Let sit overnight.}

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cacao Nibs and Sauteed Bananas
Serves 3

1 cup steel cut oats 
3 cups filtered water
Pinch of sea salt
1-2 tablespoons butter, unsalted
2 ripe bananas, sliced
Cinnamon, ground to taste
1 tablespoon raw Hemp seeds {I like Hemp Hearts - high in omegas and protein}
2 tablespoons Cacao nibs {it's raw chocolate...and high in antioxidants}
Coconut sugar to taste

Cooks oats by bringing water and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan and add oats {unless you pre-soaked the oats overnight, in which case you can just add salt and turn on heat}. Once at a boil, turn down to a simmer, and cook for 15-25 minutes or until you reach your preferred level of "chewy". Turn off heat.
While oats cook, heat butter over medium high heat in a skillet. Add banana slices and cook for a couple of minutes on each side or until golden brown. Turn off heat and set aside.
To serve, mix in some cinnamon, hemp seeds, cacao nibs, and coconut sugar into the oatmeal. Toss in sauteed bananas and enjoy.