Temperatures have dipped back down below freezing here, which is quite normal for spring in Nebraska. These chilly mornings find me dreaming about a bowl of warm, satisfying porridge. Oatmeal is quite often my go-to breakfast, especially when it's cold outside, and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone! While we oatmeal lovers can always opt for some simple toppings, brown sugar and bananas for example, sometimes it's fun to do something a little different, a little exciting even, with that basic bowl of porridge.
And that's where this Salted Caramel Apple Oat Porridge comes in. This recipe is inspired from the menu at GRØD, the trendy porridge bar with several locations in Denmark. I have not been (it's definitely on my travel bucket list!), but I follow them on Instagram and frequently visit their website to peruse their creative and inspiring menu. If you are up for a little armchair Scandinavian travel, I encourage you to check it out! You will be amazed at the innovative porridge combinations they have to offer.
One of the most popular items on their menu is a steel cut oat porridge with homemade caramel sauce, apples and toasted almonds like this one. I already had a recipe for an easy and delicious salted caramel sauce so I figured I was already halfway to recreating this delicious breakfast at home.
But first I needed a solid foundation for my porridge bowl: the oats themselves. I opted for steel cut oats over rolled. They take a little longer to cook, but their toothsome yet creamy texture is hard to beat and worth a little extra time on the stove. And you can easily make them ahead of time. I will often make a big batch of steel cut oats on Sunday and reheat small portions for myself each morning throughout the week.
Cooking steel cut oats couldn't be simpler. The ratio of oats to liquid is always 1 to 4 (1 cup of oats for every 4 cups of water and/or milk). I do take the extra step of toasting the oats in butter for a few minutes prior to adding the water. This isn't necessary but adds a delicious nutty/toasty flavor to your oats that really takes them to the next level.
Cook the oats for as long as you like depending on the texture you prefer. I like mine to have just a little bite to them, like an al dente pasta. That usually means about 25-30 minutes of simmering time. You won't need to stir much at first, but as you near the end of the cooking time you'll want to stir the oats frequently so they don't stick to the bottom of the pot as they thicken. If you like your oats a bit softer and want to continue cooking them for a longer period of time, you may need to a little water towards the end to achieve a creamy, not-too-thick consistency and to limit sticking to the bottom of the pot.
You are going to love this Salted Caramel Apple Oat Porridge! It's deeply comforting and satisfying and just a little bit indulgent. Sounds like the perfect start to your day, doesn't it? If you give it a try, let me know in the comments below! I'd love to hear from you!
Salted Caramel Apple Oat Porridge
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or extra-virgin coconut oil
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- 4 cups water
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
- 2 apples diced medium
- 1 cup sliced almonds toasted
- 1 cup Salted Caramel Sauce
- Ground cinnamon for sprinkling optional
Instructions
- Heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add oats and cook, stirring frequently, until oats begin to smell toasty, about 3 minutes. Add water and salt. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer oats, stirring occasionally, until porridge is thick and creamy and the oats are tender, about 25-35 minutes.
- Place warm oatmeal in a bowl. Top with diced apples, almonds and Salted Caramel Sauce. Sprinkle with cinnamon if desired. Serve.
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