1 cup water

1/4 cup steel cut oats

1/4 cup almond milk

Other ingredients (optional):

Handful of pecans, walnuts, or any nut you want

A dash of cinnamon (or if you’re like me, about 1 full teaspoon)

1 whole banana, cut into desired sized bites

A handful of raisins or any other dried fruit your heart desires

Feel free to play around with other spices too: cloves, nutmeg, all spice, and ground ginger all work together nicely with the cinnamon.

1. Bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add 1/4 cup steel cut oats and about 1/4 cup of almond milk. For 2 servings, boil 2 cups water, and add 1/2 cup steel cut oats and 1/2 cup almond milk.

2. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 10-15 minutes. When I have a heavy hand and add a little too much almond milk, I have to cook it for about 14 or 15 minutes. When I am on the lighter side with the almond milk, my oats are ready in 10 or 11 minutes.

3. For creamy, smooth oats, you know when the oatmeal is ready when they are still a bit watery, almost like a medium watery stew. When you pour the oatmeal into the bowl, it will look like there is a layer of liquid on the top. The oats will slowly absorb this liquid in the bowl, so this is what you want.

4. Dress is how you want it, in whatever quantities you want. I typically add about a teaspoon of cinnamon, my other toppings, and then mix it all together so that all the flavors and parts are evenly distributed.