Porridge

Struggling to keep the household supplied with bread? Porridge is a more nutritious option as oats are a legitimate nutrition powerhouse. They’re low GI and depending on your sensitivity can be suitable for GF diets too. Great for filling the hollow legged teens, they can make their own in the microwave in a couple of minutes or for the family do a big potful on the stovetop.

Ingredients

Per person:

• 1/3 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup milk, water or a combination (dairy or non dairy milks are fine)
• a pinch of salt

Method

Stove top: Combine oats, salt and water in a saucepan and simmer, stirring until thick and creamy, add a dash more liquid if needed.

Microwave: Place ingredients in a microwave safe bowl, cover and cook on high for 2 minutes then stir and continue cooking in 1 minute increments until done.

Serve with milk and your choice of topping:

a sprinkle of sugar – brown is particularly good with porridge
a swirl of golden syrup, maple syrup or a blob of jam
a blob of Nutella
fruity yogurt
stewed or canned fruits
a scattering of nuts or seeds

Or make your own spice mix. 

Fruit and spice pantry porridge mix

This sweet and spicy mix is added to the porridge before cooking, fruity and fragrant, just the thing on a chilly morning. 

• 4 dried apricots
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp mixed spice
• 2 heaped tbsp currants

Chop the apricots finely and place them in an airtight container with the rest of the ingredients. Shake well and add 1 heaped tbsp per person to basic porridge mix before cooking, make the porridge in your usual manner and further sweetening will be required.

Store the mix in the airtight contain in the pantry. Quantity makes enough for 4-6 serves.

Tip

Teach the young-uns to make porridge for themselves as it will stand them in good stead. Pro tip - wash the pan immediately or fill with water and let it soak. Cold porridge pots are a pest to clean.