Johnny's Porridge

(from Johnny's Diner in Newton Center, MA)

Ingredients:

- 3/4 cup rolled oats (old fashioned type - absolutely NOT the quick cook kind!)
- 1 small apple, cored and chopped (preferably tart, like a Braeburn or Granny Smith, leave skin on)
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup dried sweetened cranberries
- 1-1/2 cups water
- dash salt (optional)

Directions:

- Put water in medium pot. Add salt if desired. Bring to a rolling boil on stovetop
- Slowly stir in oats, apple pieces, raisins, cranberries
- Very briefly return to boil and stir. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover
- Cook covered about 5 minutes, stirring once (try not to burn it, jackass)
- Turn off heat. Leave covered for about 3 minutes
- Serve in ceramic bowl
- Consider adding a splash of milk or maybe a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon
- Enjoy

Note: If you'd like, any dried fruits can be substituted for the cranberries and raisins - BM especially recommends dried bing cherries

submitted by Michael Long, Basking Ridge, NJ