Apple-Cranberry Oatmeal

• Recipe by Michael Romano

For additional crunch, Romano sometimes adds chopped toasted hazelnuts to this oatmeal.

Ingredients

1. 2 tablespoons shelled pumpkin seeds
2. 2 cups apple cider
3. 1/3 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
4. 1 1/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
5. 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and cut into 1/3-inch pieces
6. 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
7. Plain yogurt and maple syrup, for serving

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Spread the pumpkin seeds in a pie plate and toast for 4 minutes, or until lightly browned. 
2. In a saucepan, bring the cider and cranberries to a boil. Cover and simmer over moderate heat until the cranberries burst, about 2 minutes. Stir in the oats, apple and cinnamon and simmer over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the oats are cooked, about 7 minutes. Stir in the pumpkin seeds and turn off the heat. Let the oatmeal stand for 10 minutes, or until thick. Serve with the yogurt and maple syrup.