Apple Pie Oatmeal

This recipe is not an original. It was taken years ago from a magazine I simply cannot remember the name of. However, it is too good not to share, especially with apples in season and fall upon us!

3 c water
2 medium tart apples, chopped
1 1/2 c old fashioned oats
dash of salt
1/4 c packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c chopped almonds (I like walnuts too! I would just use whatever nuts you have on hand, they are all fairly nutty)

Boil water. Add apples, oats and salt and boil, while mixing, for five minutes. Remove from heat and stir in brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. Cover and let stand for 2 minutes. Sprinkle each serving with nuts and add milk or syrup. Or, let me go out on a limb here, what about a scoop of vanilla ice cream? It is dairy, right? How about apple pie oatmeal a-la-mode? No problem getting breakfast eaten today!