10.09.2014

Porridge


Yes, That's right. This really is a post about porridge. Not just any porridge, this one is special....it's not what you've been making for years. (Which will change after you read this, I promise.)
I've always used McKann's steel cut oats for oatmeal. Boil water, add oats, some salt and simmer for about 1/2 an hour. Then top with fruit or whatever everyone wants. Simple, right?
Well so I thought until I read Luisa's post on The Wednesday Chef. She made April Bloomfield's Porridge...you know, April from A Girl and Her Pig. How could I resist? April was one of our 50 Women Game Changers (I made her Banoffee Pie for the series) and I've been to her restaurant in NYC, The Spotted Pig. Very funky decor with all manner of pigs scattered everywhere. But the food, my dears, the food! Have you eaten there? The menu is so creative and interesting and everything we ordered was delicious.



So I set out to discover why Luisa was raving about April's porridge. Here's the trick: she uses both steel cut oats and regular oats. Brilliant idea as the regular oats melt into the body of the porridge and the steel cut oats retain texture. Quite the perfect combination. I've never used a milk/water combo for oatmeal either. (Can't imagine why as I always did when making Cream of Wheat for the kids.)

Yes, Luisa was right....this porridge is amazing and what better way to start out your day?

April Bloomfield's Porridge
From A Girl and Her Pig via Luisa from The Wednesday Chef



Serves 2

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoons Maldon or other flaky sea salt; if using fine salt, use less – start at 3/4 teaspoon and adjust as needed Note: I used even less.
1/2 cup steel-cut oats
1/2 cup rolled (not quick-cooking) oats
Toppings (additional milk, brown sugar, maple syrup, flax seed or fresh fruit)

Method:
Bring milk, water and salt to a simmer in a medium pot over high heat, don't let it boil over. When the mixture starts to simmer, add both oats, stir to combine and reduce the heat to medium. Cook the oats at a steady simmer, adjusting the heat as necessary and stirring occasionally. At 20 minutes, the steel-cut oats will be just cooked and the rolled oats will have melted into the porridge.


Taste for salt, add more if needed, then divide into two bowls and add the toppings to taste. 

22 comments:

  1. It does look like amazing porridge. I like the idea of combining the two oats. This would be great for breakfast this morning with the nip of fall in the air.
    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  2. Delicious! A fabulous morning treat. So healthy, comforting and versatile.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    ReplyDelete
  3. It looks and sounds delicious. I've always poured milk over but using it as the liquid sounds very good. We do like our porridge and I'll prepare it this way for us next.

    Best,
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm definitely going to have to try oatmeal this way! I feel like it could be life-changing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have always loved McCann's steel cut oats. I know I will love this with some blueberries and strawberries on top. Thanks Barbara. Will check out the restaurant next time we are in NYC.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love your porridge! Looks like a healthy morning treat for me!

    ReplyDelete
  7. That does look wonderful! Nothing is better than a hot bowl of porridge on a cold winter morning...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sounds like a great mix of textures! Love this healthy breakfast idea. And, now I'm wondering why I don't make oatmeal porridge more often.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I've always used either just milk or a mixture of milk & water as the liquid for porridge - I like the idea of using a mixture of steel-cut and rolled oats though.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love porridge! And love this!:)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sounds like a good combination. I haven't eaten at the Spotted Pig, although I've been by it and looked inside enviously. Add it to my list for next time!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Barbara, this makes me want to eat porridge again, love this recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  13. It looks really nutritious and delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Everyone I know loves a good warm bowl of porridge :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

    ReplyDelete
  15. Can we find a better name than porridge? It sounds like a type of crappy beach cottage rental.
    Have a wonderful weekend my dear. I LOVE your comments!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. This sounds perfect for a cool fall morning, Barbara! I love the combination of oats too. Can't wait to try it!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm eager to give this a try. If I have both oats in the pantry, tomorrow it is!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Barbara,

    We have porridge for breakfast in winter - love it with raisins and a little cream and it is so good.
    Happy week
    hugs
    Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
  19. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  20. never made porridge--but the idea of combining to the two kinds of oats with equal parts of milk and water sounds luscious.

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails