Steel-Cut Oats with Apples & Raisins

First off, if the word "raisins" is scaring you away from this post, don't let it, they are optional! 

A few months ago I posted another oatmeal recipe.  Both the recipe I'm sharing with you today and that one are from Annie's Eats food blog. I have never been a huge oatmeal lover but have been determined to find some ways that I do like it because it's a healthy and filling way to start the day! Steel-cut oats are by far the healthiest form of oat since they include the whole oat grain. Steel-cut oats are just oat berries cut in about half. Because steel-cut oats are so hearty, they cook just a little longer than your average oatmeal (about 20 minutes). But the results are worth every extra minute. If you truly find yourself not having enough time to make them, then you could have this for a quick dinner with an omelet and yogurt.  You won't be sorry you made this oatmeal no matter what time of day you make it!

What I love about this particular recipe is, well, a few things: 1) the hearty-ness of the oats, 2) the fact it's cooked with milk and water, it makes it more creamy, 3) the crisp touch of apple, and 4) the sweet touch of the raisins and maple syrup. I used to gag over oatmeal that was soggy and saturated in brown sugar and milk to make it a little more bearable to eat. But this oatmeal is not soggy at all which is one thing I have always hated about oatmeal (the other recipe I mentioned above is another non-soggy, yummy-in-your-tummy oatmeal too). And I felt no need to add any milk to my bowl of oatmeal, but it surely wouldn't hurt it if you'd like to!

Enjoy a filling breakfast and a happy morning! 
 

Steel-Cut Oats with Apples and Raisins
Printable Version
Ingredients:
3 cups water
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup steel-cut oats
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (I like Saigon cinnamon for it’s extra strong flavor)
1 apple, peeled, cored and grated
⅓ cup raisins (optional, but recommended if you like them)
¼ cup maple syrup

Directions:
Combine water and milk in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a 10-12 inch skillet over medium heat.  Add the oats and toast, stirring occasionally, until golden -- about 2 minutes (you can skip this step but still add the butter to the milk mixture if you are in a hurry).

Stir the toasted (or un-toasted) oats into the simmering liquid.  Reduce the heat to medium-low and gently simmer until the mixture is very thick, about 20 minutes.  Stir in the salt, cinnamon, apple, raisins and maple syrup.  Continue to simmer for just a minute or two more stirring occasionally, until all of the liquid has been absorbed and the oatmeal is creamy.

Serve with milk on top or just how it is. It’s great either way!

Yield: 3-5 servings

Recipe Source: Annie's Eats, via America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook