Preheat the oven to 350 while you mince the veggies.

Saute the veggies in the butter until soft.

While veggies sauté bring stock to a boil and rinse and drain oat groats.

Stir the drained oats into the veggies. Stir to mix well.

Add boiling stock and salt to the oats. Stir well. Place in oven.

After about 30 minutes, remove from the oven and adjust seasonings. Add black pepper to taste. Add additional liquid as needed. (if oats aren't soft, and there is no available liquid, add some). Return to the oven if you have added liquid or the oats are hard.

When oats are tender, remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes.

After the rest, stir in the fresh thyme and adjust seasonings one more time.

Serve and enjoy