The familiar, soothing smell of cinnamon and apples makes this dish an easy crowd pleaser. The nourishing, moistening, grounding qualities of oats offer a welcome antidote to the dry, light qualities of vāta that can get elevated in autumn/early winter. Steel-cut oats preserve the health-promoting fiber of the whole grain, lending a hearty satisfaction that lasts far longer than quickly-digested rolled oats. Make sure you cook adequately to render that whole grain really soft, so you can digest it fully.

This version is designed for a pressure cooker. If you want to prepare on a stove, simply add a cup (or more) water, and simmer covered for at least 30 minutes.

Ingredients (serves 4)

1 tablespoon ghee
1 cup steel cut oats
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 Tablespoon fresh ginger
2.5 cups water
1 large apple, cored and chopped
¼ teaspoon salt

1. Melt ghee in pressure cooker/Instant pot on Saute. Add cinnamon, ginger and oats, and saute for 2 minutes.
2. Add the water, apple and salt, and stir.
3. Cook at high pressure for 7 minutes, then allow for a natural release for 10 minutes.