Ingredients:
*3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
*2 Gala apples, cored and diced with the peel still on
*1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
*4 Tablespoons brown sugar
*8 cups water
*2 cups steel cut oats
*1/4 cup dried cranberries (like Craisins)
*1/4 cup golden raisins
*milk
*chopped walnuts (optional)
*extra brown sugar to add at the end
*extra dried cranberries to add at the end
*extra golden raisins to add at the end
*honey to add at the end (optional)
Directions:
1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the apples and saute until lightly golden brown, about 3 minutes.
2. Stir in the cinnamon and brown sugar until it is dissolved.
3. Add the water. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil.
4. Once boiling, add the oats. Stir well until the water begins to thicken a little. Turn the heat down (I put mine on 3), and simmer for 30-35 minutes uncovered.
5. About 3 minutes before the end of the 30 minutes, add the dried cranberries and golden raisins. Stir well. They will plump up.
6. To serve, scoop some of the oatmeal into a bowl. Stir in enough milk to make it creamy. Top with some more brown sugar or honey. Set out extra cranberries, raisins, and walnuts for people to add to their individual bowls of oatmeal if they would like.
Note: I don't have to add extra brown sugar to my son's bowl, but I do to mine because I like mine a little sweeter. Honey would be a healthier sweetener option also.
Note: If you prefer old fashioned quick-cooking oats, then use 3 cups of water and 2 cups of quick-cooking oats instead of the steel-cut oats. Once the water is boiling, add the quick-cooking oats and the dried fruit all at once. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly until the oats are cooked and the fruit is puffed up.
