Cold Morning Oatmeal

Cold Morning Oatmeal
2 apples
(2c. apple cider)
2c. water
2 pinches salt
1tsp. cinnamon
a handful of raisins or dried sweetened cranberries
2c. instant oats
(1/4c. chopped walnuts or pecans)
(2T. butter)
(pure maple syrup, for drizzling)

Peel apples, cut them into quarters, and trim away seeds and core. Shred the apples with a grater into a medium saucepan. (or, if you're like me, then you just cube them). Add cider, water, salt, cinnamon, and raisins or cranberries. Bring the mixture to a boil and stir in instant oats. Remove the oatmeal from heat and continue to stir to thicken. Serve oatmeal in bowls and top with nuts, pats of butter, and a drizzle of maple syrup.

Serves 4

The ingredients in parentheses are what I do not use when cooking this recipe. I personally like to make this, then serve a small bowl for myself, and then put the rest in small containers to eat for breakfast the rest of the week.

Original Source: Rachael Ray "Cooking 'Round the Clock" (c)2004