If you’re like me, you eat a lot of oatmeal. I like oatmeal, and eat it for my health, but, like to make it an enjoyable experience. That means I experiment with add-ins and spices to make my morning oatmeal experience more exciting.

I love chai spiced anything. I started using it with my tea, moved on to desserts, and now like to find ways to include it in some of my healthier food options. Adding it to both the oatmeal and the apples in this recipe satisfied my chai cravings without completely breaking my healthy diet plan. As with all of my recipes, I am providing amounts that suit MY taste, but feel free to experiment so that the end result suits your taste.

INGREDIENTS:

For the oatmeal:

4 cups water
1 cup steel cut oats (you can use whatever oats you prefer for your oatmeal)
1 scant tablespoon chai spice

For the apples:

3 medium apples, cored and diced with peeling on
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon low-calorie butter or spread (I use Brummel and Brown)
1 scant tablespoon chai spice

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a large saucepan add water and chai spice. Mix the spice into the water to distribute. Bring the water to a boil. Add the 1 cup steel cut oats and lower heat to a simmer. Cook about 25 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally. (Note: If you like a sweeter oatmeal, you can add some brown sugar (about 1/4 to 1/3 cup) or a brown sugar blend like Truvia, to the water with the spice.)

In a small skillet, add the water and the apples. Cook on medium, stirring occasionally, until the apples begin to soften. Add the honey, butter and chai spice to the apples. Continue to stir until the liquid begins to thicken and develops a nice golden color.

Serve oatmeal with the apples spooned over the top. This recipe makes about 4 servings.