Cherry Ginger Oatnola

1. Melt Butter and Add Ginger

Start by gently melting 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. You'll know it's ready when the butter begins to bubble softly. At this point, stir in 1 teaspoon of minced fresh ginger, letting it mingle with the butter for about a minute until it releases a fragrant aroma that fills your kitchen.

2. Toast Oats

Next, add 1½ cups of rolled oats to the skillet. Stir them continuously in the ginger-infused butter until they turn a light golden brown, which should take around 5 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving a delightful texture and flavor.

3. Caramelize with Sugar and Syrup

To deepen the flavor profile, sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar and drizzle 1 tablespoon of pure maple syrup over the oats. Cook this mixture for about 4 minutes until the oats take on a rich, copper tone, indicating that caramelization has occurred. This process adds a lovely depth to the Oatnola, making it irresistibly tasty.

4. Add Nuts, Seeds, and Spices

Once the oats are beautifully copper-tinged, it’s time to enhance the dish with extra flavors. Add ¼ teaspoon of sea salt, ½ cup of toasted nuts (such as hazelnuts or almonds), ¼ cup of seeds (like pumpkin, sesame, or sunflower), ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg. Stir everything together for a few minutes, allowing the nuts and seeds to absorb the buttery, sweet coating.

5. Fold in Dried Cherries

For the final touch, gently fold in ½ cup of dried cherries. The cherries will provide a delightful chewy contrast to the crunchy oat mixture. Serve this warm, fragrant Oatnola with a splash of cold milk.