Slow-Cooked Irish Oatmeal with Fruit
Feel free to substitute other dried fruit according to your taste. Add a dried fruit mixture like a tropical mix of coconut, papaya, pineapple, and mango or strawberries, apples, and blueberries. It's even a way you can sneak some prunes into your diet.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 8–10
- 2 cups steel-cut Irish oats
- 5 cups water
- 1 cup apple juice
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup golden raisins
- ¼ cup snipped dried apricots
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- OPTIONAL: brown sugar or maple syrup to taste
- OPTIONAL: chopped toasted walnuts or pecans to taste
- OPTIONAL: milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream to taste
Add the oats, water, apple juice, cranberries, raisins, apricots, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt to a 4-quart slow cooker and stir to mix.
Cover and cook on the low-heat setting for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 3 ½ hours.
Serve the oatmeal warm topped with brown sugar or additional maple syrup, chopped nuts, and milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream.
Cooking Ahead
Once the oatmeal has cooled, divide any leftovers into single-serving, microwave-safe containers and freeze. When you're ready to start a new day, put it in the microwave to defrost. Cover the container with a paper towel to catch any splatters, then microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes!
