Porridge 101

theartfulgourmet.com

You don't need to be Scottish to love porridge.  Different nations around the globe all have their own versions, some made with other grains like rice.  It's the perfect breakfast for cold winters mornings.  As us Brits say "It sticks to your bones"

There is one thing that really puzzles me though.  I find it hard to understand why people spend money on more expensive porridge just because it's in individual sachets.  The larger bags are more value for money, and just as easy to make.  

Why buy golden syrup flavoured porridge sachets, when all you need to do is top your porridge with the real thing.

One Portion Porridge recipe

2:1 ratio

1/2 Cup Porridge Oats

1 Cup liquid  (milk, dairy free milk, water)

Add oats and liquid to a small pan and turn the hob onto a low heat.  Occasionally stir, till the porridge starts to bubble.  Then stir more frequently.  Once it reaches your preferred consistency - serve.  

Morning routine, get the porridge on.  Make a cup of tea and wake up.  Walk through too the kitchen every so often to stir the porridge.  Once fully awake porridge should be ready.  

1. Rhubarb and Custard Porridge

When I harvested the last of my Rhubarb from my little garden, I made it into a compote and froze into portions.  So I could enjoy it with my morning bowl of porridge.

The custard idea happened by accident, one morning when I run out of Plain Soya Yogurt.  I love Al pro soya custard, its creamy with a lovely vanilla taste.   

:- Spoon a heaped tablespoon of the custard onto your porridge, then top with some of your Rhubarb compote.

Rhubarb Compote Recipe

2. Apple Crumble Porridge

I use Oats in my topping for crumbles, so making a porridge version was not that far of a stretch.  

It starts by deconstructing an Apple Crumble recipe.   Follow the first step and cook your apples as normal.  Allow to cool to room temp, before placing in the fridge or freezer.

Instead of cooking the topping and fruit together, sprinkle the crumble onto a cookie baking sheet.  Place in your oven at 180 Celsius or 160 Celsius for a fan assisted Oven.  Check every 5 Min's and shake the baking tin or use a utensil to mix together.  This should make sure the crumble evenly cooks.

Once golden brown and crunchy enough for you, remove from the oven and cool.  Store in an airtight plastic container.  

:- Spoon apple mix onto your porridge and sprinkle the crumble over them both.

3. Banana Porridge

If you have read my blog before you will know I'm kind of Bananas about Bananas.  So it's not really surprising that it even turns up in my breakfast.  

I make a few versions of Banana Porridge depending on my mood.

Version 1 :- Add 1 medium banana mashed into your porridge oats, while cooking to naturally sweeten. To bling it up more sprinkle over some dairy free chocolate chips.  

Version 2 : - Dice 1 medium banana and mix into cooked porridge with a handful of raisins

Version 3: -  Top your porridge with sliced banana and golden or maple syrup

4. Pineapple upside down Porridge

www.21food.com

One of my favourite store cupboard staples is tinned pineapple, it's one of my guilty pleasures.  I team it up with golden syrup for a wonderful sinful bowl of porridge.

:- Place Diced Pineapple in the bottom of your porridge bowl.  Top with golden syrup, before covering with your porridge.  The heat of the porridge will soften the pineapple and loosen the syrup.  

For an Alternative recipe try Pineapple porridge

5. Carrot cake porridge

Emilycooksvegan.com

I came across this idea, when looking for vegan recipes using carrots.  I couldn't resist giving it a go, and it works!!!!

It's easy to make, since it is make in one pan.  The hardest part is grating a carrot first thing in the morning.  

:- Carrot Cake Porridge Recipe

6. Chocolate Porridge

A great way to get children to try porridge.  It also works great for people that really need a morning chocolate fix.  

:- Chocolate Porridge 

 If you want to make a healthier version, make using all water and add a little syrup to sweeten.

:- Banana chocolate porridge, add 1 medium mashed banana to your porridge oats before cooking.  The banana adds natural sweetness and counts towards one of your '5 Fruit and Veg a day'

7.  Very Berry Porridge

smoothierecipe.tv

If you can't get fresh berries, just use frozen.  When you defrost them they create their own berry sauce, which I love.  

Version 1:  Add Mixed berries to oats before cooking.  The porridge should turn a lovely shade of pink. 

Version 2: Top your cooked porridge with Plain Soya Yogurt and a spoonful of your berries.

8. Black Forest Porridge Recipe

www.bellacakes.ca

Chocolate and Berries, what's not to love.  I found a  Vegan Black Forest cake recipe in case you want to make a dairy free version of the real thing.  

:- Top Chocolate porridge with Plain soya yogurt and mixed berries


9.  Creamy coconut porridge

Everyday Version:- Make your porridge with  Dairy free coconut milk drink (Not the tin)  My niece is a big fan of the Dairy free Chocolate Coconut milk.  Sprinkle desiccated coconut over the top over your porridge once cooked.

Special Occasion Version:- Make porridge as normal with Dairy free coconut milk drink.  Then once cooked top with or mix in some tinned coconut milk.  

When a Tin of coconut milk is mixed together till smooth it resembles and acts like thick cream.  Sprinkle on desiccated coconut or Dairy free chocolate chips over your porridge, for a really decadent breakfast.  

10. Jammy Porridge

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The good old original way to flavour your porridge......  Jam.  Easily done by either stirring in or topping your porridge with a spoonful.  

My favourite jam has got to be St Dalfour 100% fruit spread.  I prefer fruit spreads with less added sugar............. Sugar + IBS = unhappy digestive system.

Toppings:

- Jam

- Marmalade

- syrup

 Eating healthy does not mean the food you eat has to be boring,

  It just takes a little more imagination.