Slow-Cooker Apple-Cinnamon Steel-cut Oatmeal

What a surprise I had this morning!  The house was infused with the deep, rich aroma of baking apples and cinnamon–you’d think we were baking an apple crisp.

Apple crisp?  First thing on a Sunday morning?  Scandalous.  Outrageous.  Unheard of.

But yummy, and way healthy, too!

My partner and muse conjured up a breakfast that I think I could eat every single day.  Sweet and fruity, tasty and stick-to-the-ribs.  But so healthy  that your body would think it was getting something that didn’t taste good.

Ah, to fool Mother Nature!

The Holy Grail of cooking is to make food that is so tasty that you want more and more, but at the same time is good for you.  Not too many things fit that bill.  This one does.  You really need to do this one.  The really interesting part is just how simple it is.  Ten minutes before bed, and in the morning, voila!  Hot and sweet and tasty and healthy, all in the same cup.

Do it for yourself.  Do it for your family.  Do it because, even if you can’t cook a lick, you can do this one.

Make it.  Today.

Ingredients:

2 apples, peeled and cored, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 1/2 cups fat-free milk (or substitute non-dairy alternative–like almond milk)

1 1/2 cups water

1 cup uncooked steel-cut oats

2 tablespoons brown sugar or maple syrup

1 1/2  tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoons ground flax seed

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Optional toppings:  chopped nuts, raisins, maple syrup, additional milk, butter, dried fruit–whatever suits you

Preparation:

Coat the inside of a 4-quart slow-cooker with cooking spray.  Add all ingredients (except optional garnishes).  Stir, cover, and cook on low for approximately 7 hours.  Serve in 3/4-cup servings with optional toppings, if desired.  Store leftovers in the fridge, and it freezes beautifully.

To reheat single serving, portion into microwaveable bowls, add 1/3 cup skim milk or almond milk, and microwave 1 minute, stir well, cook another minute, or until hot.

Oh yes, and it’s only 4 Weight-Watchers Points Plus points per 3/4-cup serving.

This recipe comes to you courtesy of Monica Matheny, from  her terrific blog, The Yummy Life (www.theyummylife.com).  Check it out!  Lots of good, healthy recipes.