Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

I seem to be on an oatmeal kick lately...which is good considering I have three containers of it on the shelf downstairs!  I have this same problem with cheese.  I always think we may need some once I'm at the store--only to come home and find out I now have an abundance.  Oh well...

We typically buy the huge box of Quaker instant oatmeal packets from Costco.  We go through some oatmeal in this family, especially in the winter.  I have been on a mission to make more homemade meals, however, and I thought why not oatmeal.  After all, we all know that homemade is healthier and tastier, right?  And although instant oatmeal is fast, it's not like cooking it on the stove takes hours.  How hard can making a tasty bowl of homemade oatmeal be?

Well, I quickly found out that good oatmeal is not just water and oats with some sugar sprinkled in--Yuck!  I wanted something that mimicked my 1-minute microwave version.  So, I began searching for oatmeal recipes.  There are a lot of versions out there...crockpot, overnight, homemade instant packets.  I tried one crockpot version, and it was NOT good.  My crockpot tends to overcook things because it is so hot, and I spent days (or so it seemed) scrubbing burned oatmeal off of it.  I was intrigued by the instant packets, but the more I thought about it, it didn't seem cost effective at all.  The amount of time spent making them did not make sense when the amount of savings was mere pennies, at best.  Plus, I didn't feel so good about using all those baggies.

I think I've finally found the answer thanks to Blissful and Domestic.  I have made very minor adjustments to this recipe, including reducing the amount of sugar (only slightly) and cutting the recipe in half to make less.  I think I have a keeper...and it only takes about 15 minutes, of which I can be doing other things, as well (emptying the dishwasher, getting dressed, pestering my kids to get a move on, making lunches...and so on).

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
adapted from Blissful and Domestic

1 apple, peeled and diced

2 cups water, plus more as needed

1 cup old fashioned oats

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon  

1/8 cup pure maple syrup

1 tablespoon brown sugar

Boil 2 cups of water an add 1 peeled and diced apple.  Boil the apple for about 7 minutes (I like my apples to be pretty soft).  Then add in the oatmeal and simmer for about 5 minutes or so.  Watch the oatmeal, as you may need to add a little more water, so as not to overcook the oatmeal into a dried up mess!  If you like your oatmeal to be a nice soft texture, simmering for a while is a must.   While this simmers, add in the cinnamon, syrup, and brown sugar.  Spoon into a bowl and add a splash of milk to make the oatmeal nice and creamy.  Yummy!  This makes enough for 3-4 bowls of oatmeal.

I think this oatmeal would be extra yummy with the addition of craisins and golden raisins, and maybe some nuts.  MMM...just like McDonald's!  Too bad I didn't have any of those ingredients on hand this time.