Apple-Cherry Steel-Cut Oats

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup raw almonds, coarsely chopped
• 1 large apple, cored, cut into 3/4' cubes
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup plus more, warmed for serving (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 cup dried tart cherries
• 1 cup quick-cooking steel-cut oats
• Nonfat milk or almond milk (optional)

Steps

1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add almonds and cook, stirring often, until browned in spots, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a small plate.
2. Add apple, 1 Tbsp. maple syrup, cinnamon, and cardamom to pan and stir. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring often, until apple begins to soften. Add cherries; stir to coat. Add oats and 3 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring often and adding water by tablespoonfuls if too thick, until oats are tender, about 5 minutes. Divide among bowls. Drizzle with milk and warm maple syrup, if desired. Sprinkle almonds over.