Overnight Oatmeal
8 cups water
2 cups steel-cut oats
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup dried apricots, chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Combine water, oats, dried cranberries, dried apricots and salt in a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker. Turn heat to low. Put the lid on and cook until the oats are tender and the porridge is creamy, 7 to 8 hours.
Stovetop Variation
Halve the above recipe to accommodate the size of most double boilers: Combine 4 cups water, 1 cup steel-cut oats, 3 tablespoons dried cranberries, 3 tablespoons dried apricots and 1/8 teaspoon salt in the top of a double boiler. Cover and cook over boiling water for about 1 1/2 hours, checking the water level in the bottom of the double boiler from time to time.
Menolly's notes: This does make a large amount, but it can be refrigerated and microwaved the next day with the small addition of some milk and butter.
Try substituting other dried fruit for the apricots, as the apricot flavor comes through very strongly. Suggesed dried fruit include dried sliced strawberries, cherries, apples, or raisins.