If oatmeal conjures memories of mushy slop loaded with sugar and tiny dried apple pieces, it’s time you created new associations with this healthy grain. Oatmeal is fabulous, and a recipe like this one should leave the whole family satiated and smiling. Steel cut (Irish) oats are simply chopped oat groats – they are the least processed of all oat products, and they are typically stocked right alongside the old-fashioned and quick oats these days. If not, check the organic section of your grocery store. Seriously, once you try them, you’ll never want to go back to quick/instant oats.
I like to cook half of the apple pieces with the raisins 5 minutes before the oatmeal has finished cooking and add the rest with the sunflower seeds in my bowl for a little crunch. Just 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup is plenty to sweeten the whole batch (in fact, I like it even without) because apples, raisins and cinnamon lend their natural sweetness to the oats. Enjoy the chilly mornings!
Autumn Oatmeal
4 cups water
1 cup steel cut (Irish) oats
Generous pinch of salt
½ cup raisins
1 cup apple, diced into ¼ – ½” pieces (about ½ of a large apple)
½ t. ground cinnamon
2 T. golden flax seeds
½ t. vanilla extract
2 T. pure maple syrup
¼ cup unsalted sunflower seeds, roasted or raw
Milk or milk substitute (optional) for serving
Place water, oats and salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a strong simmer and cook 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add raisins, ½ of your chopped apples and cinnamon; cook additional 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Remove from heat, stir in flax seeds, vanilla extract and maple syrup. Place in bowls and top with remaining apples, a generous sprinkle of sunflower seeds, and a dash of cinnamon. Serve with milk or milk substitute if desired.
Serves 4
What are some of your favorite oatmeal add-ins?
Raised from Scratch 