...with a bowl of porridge!

Wikipedia describes porridge as “a dish made by boiling ground, crushed, or chopped cereal in water, milk, or both, with optional flavourings.

Maybe I’ve been watching too much Masterchef because for me, porridge is a blank canvas on which to create a colourful, tasty, warm, and nutritious treat for the eyes, tastebuds, and tummy.

Satisfy the senses with a choice of grains like rolled oats or spelt, or quinoa or rice flakes (for a gluten free option). Add fresh, dried or stewed fruit for colour and sweetness; nuts & seeds for texture and more complex flavour; and cook with milk or top with yoghurt for an even creamier taste.

Then tuck in guilt free knowing the grains, fruits and nuts are providing a great mix of fibre, vitamins, and minerals. The nuts and any dairy combined with the grains also improves the protein content helping you feel full on a cold winter morning.

The combinations seem limitless so I thought I’d share a some of my favourites below:

1. Dice dried apricots and throw them in with the grains (they plump up while cooking). Top with pepitas, walnuts, and ground cinnamon & nutmeg.

2. Cook the grains in a cup of chai tea, while lightly stewing a few strawberries in water with a dash of rosewater and a cardamon pod. Top with pistachio kernels, yoghurt, and black chia seeds (drizzle with honey to double for dessert).

3. Oops! Too tasty to wait for a picture.