Porridge – the 7th member of my family. However some members of the family are somewhat falling out of love with it in phases. What to do??!!!
It’s somewhere between dawn & “Holy Crap where are the gum-shields we’re late” on a wintery Saturday morning. She swans into the kitchen, head held high with an air of relaxed royalty. Let’s imagine the perfect mix of Helen of Troy and The Wreck of the Hesperus. With one flick of her golden mane she summons the room to a halt. Unperturbed she glides to the breakfast table as if on some sort of cloud/carriage type vehicle.
She dusts some sleep from the inside corner of her left eye and I’m sure it sparkled glitter-like as it fell to the floor. Oblivious to the almost hag-like mother figure (ok I’m not completely hag like but this is written from the inside out plus I wasn’t looking too hot following another night of broken sleep at the mercy of a 2 year old insomniac) she comes to rest at the breakfast table, places her elbow in a pool of soggy turned out Krispies (courtesy of aforementioned insomniac), sweeps aside her other siblings empty cereal bowls and says
“Soft Boiled egg, soldiers and Salmon after my fruit bowl with yoghurt and granola”
Such is the snort from my husband that coffee shoots from his nose.
“Your wan thinks she’s in The Shelbourne. Would you like before or after your foot massage?” he chokes.
Helen of the Hesperus stares blankly RIGHT THROUGH HIM, mild confusion etched on her face & then her expression gives way to understanding.
“Ohhh” she chuckles, “Soft Boiled egg, soldiers and Salmon after my fruit bowl with yoghurt and granola PLLEEEEEEAASSSSEEE”
With that normal order is restored. 4th born flings a few Krispies in her general direction and my mind begins to wonder how I will cut the work load – one meal fits all being the end goal.
The answer lies at the bottom of a bag of oats – that much I know for sure. We are literally porridge OBSESSED in this house. Porridge, in my opinion must be feminine…..it really is the greatest multi-tasker…..breakfast, dinner, supper…you name it we have it.
The key lies in not letting it be boring. Here are a few of our favourite toppings and combinations. Everything really really simple and please expect plenty of “Please Sir, Can I have some more?”. Music to any parents ears!!
Simplest Stewed Apple
This topping is free from refined sugar and I love it served cold on hot porridge or hot on cold overnight oats.
It’s excellent with a pinch of cinnamon sprinkled on top too!
Peel and chop 6 Pink Lady apples after taking out the core.
Optional – Add 1/2 tsp vanilla extract.
Pop into a pan with 1 inch of water. Cover the pan.
Bring to boil and then simmer on medium heat for 20 minutes.
Blitz with stick blender or any blender of choice.
Leave to cool and store in a sealed jar for up to 3 days.
Simple Fruit Combo’s
Blueberry, Banana and agave is a firm favourite round our gaff. If you are feeling very organised I do love to pop a cup of the blueberries and banana in a pan with 1/2 inch of water and simmer it all up for 5 minutes. Then blitz it for a dangerous looking purple sauce.
Equally we do love to just have the fruit as is on top. Another firm favourite is frozen raspberries. They sort of melt into the hot porridge and are delicious as is or with a tiny dash of agave. I love them with the Stewed Apple – personal favourite!
Walnuts, Banana, Dark chocolate Chip & Nut Butter
This is the one you get to have when you are literally almost crying from the rush all day. Kids are fed and in bed and the last thing you feel like doing is cooking for two. Somedays life happens in such a way that the kids eat early and they have obliterated the stash of freezer goodness you left out. You kinda’ want dinner, you kinda’ want cake, you kinda’ just want to curl into a ball and sleep. Go wan sooooooo, this bowl of happiness hits the spot.
What’s in it?
One small banana sliced
1 generous tsp nut butter
1 tbsp dark choc chips
2 tbsp walnuts or pecans
Delicious and easy!!!
Surely, I think to myself, there is something in here for Helen of the Hesperus. Now where is that pea……I really need to test that mattress. Nothing would surprise me anymore.
Your’s, reading up on princess visitation rights,
Cli xx
She sounds like an absolute hoot In fairness she knows what your capable of in the kitchen and that’s probably the problem! Massive porridge fans over here too, but this post was very welcomed this evening because sometimes the love affair can be the on again, off again sort and the boys need some more inspired toppings to get them to fall on love with porridge again
Ahhh cuckooooooo but what can you do huh? Ahh thank you