01 -
Place water, salt, cinnamon stick, and cloves in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until fragrant.
02 -
Reduce heat to medium-low. Slowly whisk in whole milk, then gradually add oats while whisking to prevent clumping.
03 -
Cook gently, stirring frequently with a flat-edged wooden spoon for 4 to 6 minutes until oats are tender and mixture coats the spoon. Lower heat or add a splash of water if sizzling aggressively.
04 -
Remove cinnamon stick and cloves. Stir in brown sugar, vanilla extract, and ground nutmeg. Cook for 1 additional minute to dissolve sugar and enhance spices.
05 -
Turn off heat, cover, and allow to stand 2 minutes. Uncover, adjust sweetness or salt if needed, and thin with hot water or milk for desired consistency. Serve warm.