Steel Cut Oatmeal with Apples, Cinnamon and Brown Sugar

The apple flavor of this oatmeal is really strong because of the apple juice and the chopped apples. The dried fruit is optional (Sarah doesn’t like it), but it definitely adds some flavor complexity.

While this recipe takes about 45 mintues, it’s really low maintenance. You can easily shower, get dressed, take the dog out, etc. while the oatmeal cooks.

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Apples, Cinnamon and Brown Sugar

1 tablespoon butter
1 cup steel cut oats
2 1/4 cups boiling water
2/3 cup apple juice (or ½ cup boiling water plus 3 TB. apple juice concentrate)
1/2 cup whole or 2% milk
1/4 cup buttermilk (or ¼ cup of milk with 1 ½ t. vinegar)
1 apple, peeled and chopped (tart apples, e.g. Granny Smith or Mutsu, are especially good)
1/3 cup dried cherries, cranberries or other fruit (optional)
½ t. salt
Brown sugar and cinnamon (to serve)

In a large saucepan, melt the butter and add the oats. Stir for 2 minutes to toast. Add the boiling water, apple juice, apple and salt. Keep at a low simmer for 25 minutes, without stirring. If you don’t have buttermilk, combine the milk and vinegar at this point.

Combine the milk, buttermilk and cherries with the oatmeal. Stir gently to combine and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Spoon into a serving bowl and top with brown sugar and cinnamon.

Makes four servings.

This recipe is at some level an elaboration on Alton Brown’s Steel Cut Oatmeal recipe.