Ultimate Porridge Guide
Colder, darker mornings mean porridge is on the breakfast menu!
It is so easy to keep repeating breakfasts, but it is good to spice things up a little. To help you try something new, I've made a list of my favourite ideas for oats.
First of all, here's how I like to make my porridge:
For 1 bowl-
1/2 cup (approx 50g) oats
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk (cow's milk, oat milk and almond milk are my favourites to use!)
Mix everything together either in a bowl or saucepan.
If you want to microwave, cover the bowl and place in the microwave for 2-2.5 minutes (make sure to stir halfway through).
To cook on the hob, put the pan over a high heat. When the mixture comes to a boil, turn it to low and stir continuously for 2-5 minutes until the oats are cooked.
Notes:
I use finely rolled oats, so they cook quickly. If you prefer jumbo, cook for longer.
Cooking on the hob definitely makes creamier porridge, and I've had a few bowls of exploding oats- not a good way to start the day!
I like my oats thick, feel free to add another 1/2 cup of liquid if you like yours wetter.
Next, how to jazz it up:
Easy toppings:
Cinnamon, banana and honey.
Stewed pear or apple (see my recipe here).
Peanut butter and banana.
Yogurt and chopped fruit.
Grated apple and raisins.
Maple syrup and crispy bacon.
Brown sugar and banana (best if you add the banana while oats are still cooking!).
Berry compote- To make simply put some berries (fresh or frozen) in a pan with a splash of water and either honey or maple syrup. Heat gently until the berries start to breakdown and the honey/maple is dissolved. Pour over your porridge and enjoy.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Porridge:
This recipe originally came from a blog a friend of mine had a while back. It is seriously like having dessert for breakfast- this one's for you Juicy Lucie!
1/2 cup/50g oats
1 cup liquid (milk and water)
1 tbsp peanut butter
1 tsp cocoa powder
1-2 tsp honey/maple syrup (add according to your tastes)
Cook as you would normally, just make sure all the ingredients are well mixed.
Baked oats:
50g/1/2 cup oats
Boiling water, enough to cover oats.
6 tbsp. milk
1-2 tsp cinnamon (or another spice)
1 banana, 1/2 sliced, 1/2 mashed.
1-2 tbsp maple syrup
Handful of berries or nuts.
Place the oats in a small baking dish and cover with the boiling water. Leave for 10 mins to soak.
While the oats soak, preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
After 10-15 minutes, add the remaining ingredients to the oats and stir together. Use the sliced banana to decorate the top if you wish.
Place in the oven and back for 20-25 mins, until the liquid has been absorbed.
Options:
Add dried fruit- if using, soak with the oats at the start.
Add nuts- walnuts are my favourite!
Instead of cinnamon try allspice, pumpkin spice or a touch of vanilla extract.
The baked oats below have cinnamon, banana and walnuts.
Overnight Oats:
50g/1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup yogurt
1/2 tbsp seeds (such as chia seeds) or milled linseed
1 tsp honey/maple syrup
To prepare, mix all the ingredients in a lunchbox, bowl or jar. Cover and place in the fridge overnight.
The next morning, the oats should have absorbed all the liquid and be ready to eat!
Options:
Add fruit- banana and other fruit that brown are best added in the morning, but berries can be added the night before too. Leave them on top so they don't go mushy!
Spice it up- use some of the spices mentioned above.
Add the zest of a lemon or orange- use the juice too, but sub out some of the milk.
Use flavoured yogurt- coconut it fab!
Add chocolate chips or coconut, or anything else you love to make it yours!
There are so many options with oats and porridge. Try something new- make it tasty and make it filling!
Lots of love,
Little O x
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