Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Eating and Drinking => Kitchen Natter => Topic started by: mrs bouquet on October 20, 2023, 14:03

Title: Porridge
Post by: mrs bouquet on October 20, 2023, 14:03
The children always had Readybrek.  But yesterday I bought porridge oats and cooked them according to the instructions on the bag for 1 person.  I only used water.  I was surprised at how much 40 gms of oats made.
They were ok, but a bit tasteless.  What can I use to flavour them, but not a milk product or sugar.  Thanks.
Mrs Bouquet.  PS:  I have just thought can I use ginger powder ?
Title: Re: Porridge
Post by: mumofstig on October 20, 2023, 14:32
I put a knob of butter &/or a squirt of honey in mine  :)
Title: Re: Porridge
Post by: mrs bouquet on October 20, 2023, 16:10
I wouldn't use the butter because it is dairy, but what about a sprinkling of either dark chocolate powder or drinking chocolate .   ???   Mrs B
Title: Re: Porridge
Post by: rowlandwells on October 20, 2023, 18:01
we usually buy porridge with a golden syrup flavour but this weeks shop we decided to try a plain brand of porridge from one of the leading supermarket so as it was a bit bland when cooked so we added a bit of home maid jam and it was lovely but I have to say we do cook our porridge with milk not water   
Title: Re: Porridge
Post by: snowdrops on October 20, 2023, 21:28
I’d add fruit or how about cinnamon?
Title: Re: Porridge
Post by: Lardman on October 20, 2023, 21:51
Golden syrup, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg any fruit or jam, or even a small amount of salt is surprisingly alright.   This time of year apple is a no brainer, have to say I like them as the are, but I do use milk rather than water.
Title: Re: Porridge
Post by: Growster... on October 21, 2023, 07:11
I often add a few sliced almonds and some sultanas with a knob of butter!

If I remember rightly, Larders, you once mentioned a teaspoon of peanut butter, and that really does change the landscape..;0)
Title: Re: Porridge
Post by: mrs bouquet on October 22, 2023, 14:11
yesterday, I tried it with a teaspoon of drinking chocolate stirred in.   It looked like mud and I couldn't taste the chocolate anyway.  Tomorrow I will try it with espresso coffee.   Mrs B
Title: Re: Porridge
Post by: steven c on October 25, 2023, 08:23
half a mug of porridge 1 mug half milk half water some raisins or sultanas microwaved [easier to clean up] honey on top.  i like peanut butter will try that.
Title: Re: Porridge
Post by: mumofstig on October 25, 2023, 08:58
Mrs B have you tried stirring through some apple sauce, just as you eat it? or has the sauce (bought in a jar) got too much sugar in, for you?
I used the last of my apple sauce in my oats this morning and loved it  :)
Title: Re: Porridge
Post by: Debz on October 25, 2023, 12:27
A good dash of maple syrup, honey or any fruit puree can add flavour.
Title: Re: Porridge
Post by: mrs bouquet on October 27, 2023, 13:30
Today I added a few raisins/sultanas ?   Then a couple of prunes and the juice from them and a dried apricot and some juice.  Lovely.  I am getting the hang of it now.  Mrs B
Title: Re: Porridge
Post by: Growster... on October 27, 2023, 18:17
Today I added a few raisins/sultanas ?   Then a couple of prunes and the juice from them and a dried apricot and some juice.  Lovely.  I am getting the hang of it now.  Mrs B

Now that is some sort of 'moving' porridge!

Great idea, Mrs B, and add a few tsps of bran as well, as it bulks out the porridge, with no extra calories, and makes life so much easier in the long run!
Title: Re: Porridge
Post by: DanielCoffey on November 10, 2023, 18:13
When we make our daily porridge we use a small pinch of salt, 1 part oats and three parts water. It goes in the microwave on medium (600W on our machine) for 5 mins, stir then 3 mins, then rest for a few mins to thicken.

We tend to add either a spoonful of homemade red jam (depending what we made it will be damson, plum or mixed currant - you want the sharper red fruits) or a spoon of orange marmalade.

We didn't find chocolate or cocoa flavours work well with porridge.

You can also use a small handful of dried mixed vine fruit in with the rolled oats as well as a tiny bit of cinnamon or nutmeg.

If you like a chunky porridge go all Jumbo oats. For a more "normal" mixture it is often 50:50 Rolled oats and Jumbo oats.
Title: Re: Porridge
Post by: Yorkie on November 10, 2023, 18:48
Are those timings for a single portion, or more, Daniel?
Title: Re: Porridge
Post by: DanielCoffey on November 11, 2023, 07:45
That was for the two of us but you would only need to trim a minute off. Note the 600W setting - our microwave is more efficient at settings lower than max.

If you eat porridge regularly it might save money to blend your own. Starting from a 50:50 ratio of rolled oats and jumbo oats, more rolled gives a smoother porridge, more jumbo gives texture. You can go fully to both ends of the scale - we have 100% Scottish Jumbo.

If you are buying larger bags, remember to store them in critter-proof boxes. Both mice and bugs love crushed grains as food!