We could happily eat a bowl of oats all year round. But this recipe with apple sauce takes the cake! We even spiked it with a tot of whiskey. (optional)

SERVES 4 // COOK TIME 35 min

INGREDIENTS
For the porridge
3 cups oats (not instant or quick-cooking)
600 ml milk
600 ml water
½ tsp salt
For the apple sauce
4 Royal Gala apples, peeled, cored and chopped
30g brown sugar, plus extra to serve
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tbsp whisky (optional)
50g flaked almonds, toasted
Cream, to serve

METHOD
For the porridge
1. Mix together all the ingredients in a pot and bring to a simmer. Cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring continuously, until thickened and cooked through. (It will thicken further on standing. Use a little more or less milk to reach your desired consistency.)
For the apple sauce
1. Place the apples, sugar and lemon juice in a pot and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, until the apples are soft but not falling apart. Add the whisky.
2. Spoon the sauce over the porridge. Sprinkle with toasted almonds and serve with cream.

Make your mornings sweet with these delicious sesame oats with fig jam. If you can’t find tahini, opt for nut butter of your choice instead.