Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

1/2 Tablespoon Butter
1 medium Apple, cored and chopped (~1 1/2 cups)
3 Tablespoons honey (OR 2 Tablespoons brown sugar), plus a little more to drizzle over the finished oatmeal
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground Ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground Nutmeg
pinch of Salt
2 cups Water
1 cup Old Fashioned Oats 
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup milk (optional)

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium high heat. Add 1 cup of the apples, the honey or brown sugar, and sprinkle in the spices and salt. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the apples are softened.

Pour in the water, turn the heat up to high, and bring to a low boil. Add the oats and reduce the heat to medium/medium high. Cook, stirring occasionally for 3-5 more minutes.

Add the walnuts (if using), and continue cooking until most of the liquid is absorbed. Divide the oatmeal between two bowls, sprinkle each with the remaining apples, drizzle with a little more honey, and splash 1/4 cup milk into each bowl.

Variation:

1 Cup Water

1/4 cup Applesauce

1 Apple, cored and chopped

1/4 cup Brown Sugar

1 1/4 cup Rolled Oats

2 teaspoons Cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground Ginger

1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg

pinch ground Cloves

1 cup Milk

Combine the water, applesauce, apples, and brown sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, and stir in the rolled oats,  cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, and ground cloves. Return to a boil, then reduce heat to low, and simmer until thick, about 3 minutes. Spoon into serving bowls, and pour milk over the servings.