Steel-Cut Oatmeal with Maple and Toasted Walnuts

Ingredients

• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 3 cups water
• 1 cup whole milk (or additional water)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup raw walnut halves, roughly chopped
• 3-4 tbsp pure maple syrup, plus more for serving
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)

Before you cook

• Measure the oats, water, and milk so they're ready to go straight into the pot
• Roughly chop the walnuts

Steps

1. Pour the water, milk, and salt into a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan
2. Bring the liquid to a boil over medium-high heat
3. Stir in the steel-cut oats
4. Reduce the heat so the pot holds a bare simmer
5. Cook the oats uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring every few minutes so they don't catch on the bottom
6. Lay the chopped walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat
7. Toast the walnuts for about 4 minutes, shaking the pan often, until fragrant and lightly browned
8. Tip the toasted walnuts onto a plate so they stop browning in the hot pan
9. Check that the oats are thick and creamy with a slight chew, then stir in the butter and cinnamon
10. Pull the pot off the heat and let the oatmeal sit for 2 minutes so it thickens further
11. Spoon the oatmeal into bowls
12. Drizzle each bowl with maple syrup and scatter the toasted walnuts over the top