Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal

Serves 4
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes

INGREDIENTS
1 cup of steel cut oats, uncooked
4 cups of water
2 apples (I used one granny smith and one fiji), cut into cubes
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 tablespoon cinnamon, extra to serve
Optional add-ins: 1 tablespoon of almond butter

STEPS

1. Pour 4 cups of water into a medium sized pot and turn stove on high to boil.
2. Once boiling, add 1 cup of steel cut oats and 2 apples, chopped into cubes. Letting the apples cook with the oatmeal softens them perfectly and adds an extra coziness factor to an otherwise standard bowl of oatmeal.
3. Leave stove on high until mixture boils again. Then turn on low-medium to maintain a simmer. Let cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sides from sticking to the pot.
4. Once water develops some cloudiness and thickness, add 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract and 1/2 tablespoon of cinnamon to the pot. Continue stirring until all of the cinnamon has dissolved and you no longer see any dry clumps.
5. Let cook for another 10-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the oats have softened to your liking. Some people like their oatmeal very thick, in which case I would let it cook for a bit longer. 
6. When ready to serve, pour into a bowl and add any extra add-ins. I personally love adding almond butter for some extra protein and healthy fats (and amazing flavor), but you can also add banana slices, which don't take away from the warmth and coziness of the oatmeal like other fresh fruit would.