Place milk and salt in a medium saucepan and begin heating over medium-high heat.
Stir in oats and cover. When oats come to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, dice half of the apple into very small pieces. After oats have cooked for 15 minutes, stir diced apple into oats. (Save remaining half for fresh slices over cereal.) Replace cover.
Cut apricots and figs into small pieces and stir into oatmeal. Replace cover. (I cut the apricots into 4 pieces and the figs into 6 pieces.)
Simmer, covered, for an additional 15 minutes, stirring often to prevent oats from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
When oatmeal is done, stir in walnuts, date sugar or chopped dates, and vanilla. Top with fresh apple slices.Serve hot.
Notes
1. Be sure to use quick oats not rolled oats in this recipe.2. Be sure to trims stems from figs before adding to oats.3. This recipe makes enough to serve 2 people if there are other foods served with it (like toast or fruit, etc.)Yield: 1 to 2 servings