Grab a sauce pan and place 2 C. oats into it along with 3 C. of milk and 1 C. water. (Note: for every 1 C. of oats I have 2 C. of liquid. 1 1/2 C. milk and 1/2 C. water. Adjust to how much oats you are cooking with.)
Next put it on the stove top on medium to high heat. Stir a lot to keep the milk from scorching. Once it starts to bubble or you can see smoke rising turn it a little lower then medium and allow it to continue to cook.
Once its pretty hot and starting to thicken put around 1 tsp. of salt in.
Give it another minute or so and then pull it off the heat and add your maple syrup, vanilla extract, & brown sugar. Stir it all together. Place back on the heat for another minute or two to let the flavors melt together.
If its to your desired porridge consistency, take it completely off the heat and allow to cool. You can let it cool then serve or get it into bowls right away and let them cool on the table individually.
Sprinkle on some dark chocolate chips as my kids do or some fruit or nothing! Enjoy especially on a cold morning!