Apple Snapple Oatmeal

• 1 medium apple or pear
• 3 cups apple juice or cider
• 1 and 1/3 cups regular rolled oats
• 1/4 cup raisins or chopped pitted dates
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• milk (optional)
• brown sugar (optional)

On a cutting board, use a sharp knife to cut the apple or pear into 4 pieces. Cut out the core and throw it away. Chop each piece.

In a saucepan, put the chopped apple or pear, apple juice or cider, oats, raisins or dates, and cinnamon. Stir with a wooden spoon to mix. Put the pan on the burner. Turn the burner to medium-high heat. Cook just till bubbly. Turn the burner to low. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes, stirring now and then. Turn off the burner. Remove the saucepan from the burner.

With a large spoon, put the oatmeal into 4 cereal bowls. Serve immediately with milk and brown sugar, if you like.


This can also be made in the microwave. Just reduce the liquid to 2 and 1/2 cups. Microwave the stirred ingredients on high for 3 minutes in a covered microwaveable 2-quart casserole dish. Stir and microwave 3 minutes more.