breakfast :: the best porridge recipe ever

If you have looked behind the lens, it will come as no surprise to you that I am not much of a “cooker”, a term my younger niece used many years ago. But there are a few meals I enjoy creating in the kitchen, and breakfast is one of them. And whether you call it oatmeal or porridge, this is my favourite recipe for making this hot breakfast. It is perfect for cold winter mornings, and when I make it, it is usually on the weekends.

Most people like this version of oatmeal, even if they normally do not eat it, and so far I have met only one non-lover of regular oatmeal that was not persuaded to change their mind after trying this one. As it happens to be one of the regular readers here, I will not mention any names 🙂

Important: Use steel cut oats for the best flavour and texture. A rolled oat by any other name does not taste the same. At all! And it turns out they are actually better for you than the rolled variety. Who knew!

1. Boil 4 cups of water in a saucepan. Feel free to add a pinch of salt, although I usually don’t 🙂
2. Add 1 cup of steel cut oats.
3. Boil at high heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the oats begin to thicken.
4. Lower heat, and continue boiling for about another 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Select some fruit as a topping. Fresh or freshly-thawed frozen berries work well, or peaches, nectarines, or bananas. Given a choice, fresh is best. If you are into raisins or dried cranberries, those are also options, as are slivered almonds. Here I have chosen a mango and a banana.
6. Slice fruit.
7. After a total of about 35 minutes, the oatmeal should be ready. Remove from heat.
8. Serve in bowls and top with the fresh fruit or topping of your choice. This is how I like it best. If you would like to add brown sugar and milk instead of fruit, that works, too. Or you can grate some fresh apple on top and stir into the oatmeal, and then sprinkle with cinnamon. The possibilities are endless. Mmmmm. Mmmmm. Now that’s breakfast!

Alternately, if time does not permit, or if porridge is not your thing, then try Solly’s Bagelry in Vancouver. They make the best bagels, and one of their breakfast features is an Eggel: egg and cheese on a toasted bagel, garnished with a slice of orange. We usually go for take-out and I always like to add a slice of fresh tomato to mine. Absolutely delicious. Solly’s also have the absolute best cinnamon rolls you can get anywhere, in my experience so far. Yummmmy! But I digress.


Related Post (relatively speaking):
atreegrowsinbklyn  (Click to enjoy)
Caution:  this one is not for the faint of heart 🙂

For more breakfast inspirations, come hungry, and head this way.

Blog Notes
Q :: Why is this a post about oatmeal when the challenge post is also about oatmeal?
A :: That is more coincidental than anything else. A number of months ago I first discovered steel-cut oats, and my porridge-making was immediately revolutionized. When I recently prepared some, my camera happened to be nearby, so it was put to work in the kitchen, capturing the various steps. This week’s challenge seemed a good time to create the photo collage and share my discovery and love of steel-cut oats with you. So good! If you have never tried them, do feel free to check them out and let me know what you think of them.

54 comments on “breakfast :: the best porridge recipe ever”

  1. 19 Nov 2011 at 07:05 sondi

    This looks so healthy! Yum!

    Like

  2. 19 Nov 2011 at 08:12 Jona Bering | Backpacking with a Book

    Wow! You’re a breakfast person!

    http://jonabering.wordpress.com/2011/11/19/weekly-photo-challenge-breakfast/

    Like

  3. 19 Nov 2011 at 08:44 nuvofelt

    Yum, nothing better on a cold and frosty morning. Don’t think the oats come over here, though.

    Like

  4. 19 Nov 2011 at 09:00 jakesprinter

    I Love this variety of pictures nice post

    Like

  5. 19 Nov 2011 at 10:18 Diana

    yep — I like the variety of pictures too 😉
    ALMOST didn’t read this, but couldn’t resist after all.
    Reminded me of a lesson I was teaching one of my beginning readers recently: The 4 steps to completing a task: 1. gather materials 2. look at the pictures 3. Follow the directions 4. can’t remember what the 4th step is — will have to check again (maybe it’s just make sure you HAVE directions to follow)

    Just a few more words:
    French toast + real maple syrup; or
    yoghurt + frozen blueberries (or fresh banana) + slivered almonds.
    ;D

    Like

  6. 19 Nov 2011 at 10:36 Gilly Goldsworthy

    Looks gorgeous and mango and bananas are my favourite fruit.

    Like

  7. 19 Nov 2011 at 11:11 nrhatch

    My grandmother made the BEST oatmeal. I expect she used Steel Cut Oats. I shall have to get some. Thanks!

    Like

  8. 19 Nov 2011 at 13:44 Cap'n Stephel

    Goodness, you’re making me hungry! I have oatmeal for breakfast most mornings. I put almonds, blueberries, cranberries (whole, unsweetened), nutmeg, cinnamon, sometimes some cocoa powder, and plain yogurt (after it’s cooked). I was recently introduced to a porridge of quinoa and lentils (with added fruits and spices, of course) that’s also very good!

    Like

    • 19 Nov 2011 at 22:17 pix & kardz

      your sounds yummy, too.
      and YMMG (you made me google)!
      i learned a new word today – quinoa. sounds intriguing. will have to check it out one day!

      Like

  9. 19 Nov 2011 at 14:20 Jo Bryant

    my it looks not only healthy but scrummy

    Like

  10. 19 Nov 2011 at 17:27 sweetdaysundertheoaks

    The oatmeal looks delicious Kris but where is the Peanut Butter? Can’t eat oatmeal without PB toast! Although I have to say I never thought of slicing a banana on oatmeal and I think that it would be very tasty 🙂

    Like

    • 19 Nov 2011 at 22:19 pix & kardz

      i love peanut butter too, but usually have it as a separate meal from my oatmeal.
      hope you try out banana on your oatmeal. do feel free to let me know how you like it! 🙂

      Like

  11. 20 Nov 2011 at 01:58 Nandini

    Yummy 🙂

    Like

  12. 20 Nov 2011 at 03:58 Mizz

    Wow…this looks good. Gotta try it!

    Like

  13. 20 Nov 2011 at 05:54 Gracie Sam

    This is a great recipe post. I love your fruit toppings! Mango is one of my favourite fruits too so I might want to try it and some bananas as well. The topping selection is endless and that’s why I do like oatmeal porridge. Have a great week! 🙂

    Like

  14. 20 Nov 2011 at 09:32 Diana

    The comments are almost as good as the post. For example, I never thought of oatmeal as “fun” before, but this post is related to oatmeal, and so I guess there is an element of fun in oatmeal. Also — and way more importantly 😉 — if Cap’n Stephel provides you with a recipe for that lentil (YUM+) and quinoa (YUM++) recipe, feel free to share. I love quinoa — just don’t know how to cook it yet. )Will probably never be able to consider such a mix “porridge” though…..)

    Like

  15. 20 Nov 2011 at 17:49 atreegrowsinbklyn

    I like oatmeal and I like mango, but I’ve never hand them together. It sounds like a winning combination. I’m going to try that ASAP. Thanks for sharing.

    Like

  16. 20 Nov 2011 at 21:20 Diana

    thanks for the recipe! Look forward to trying it (or being invited out to try it elsewhere — I can always hope).

    Like

  17. 21 Nov 2011 at 06:43 Patti Kuche

    Wow, thanks for all this detail – it all looks so good!

    Like

  18. 22 Nov 2011 at 19:20 marina

    mmmhh…porridge!
    great post: thanks!

    Like

  19. 22 Nov 2011 at 19:28 jmeyersforeman

    I love oatmeal, and have it quite often for breakfast, but when I am in Vancouver I like to visit the Caffe Artigiano on Hornby, that is where my photo was taken, http://jmeyersforeman.wordpress.com/2011/11/03/morning-coffee-and-the-perfect-breakfast/#comments.
    thanks for stopping by and taking time to comment, I have been reminded that steel cut oats are the best.

    Like

  20. 22 Nov 2011 at 20:43 thirdhandart

    Awesome photo collage and great post! I’m going to have to try steel-cut oats. I’ve only ever used rolled oats.

    Like

  21. 23 Nov 2011 at 00:28 Cassie's world

    I don’t like oatmeal, but after looking at these pictures, I think I’ll give it a chance soon. And then I am going for this recipe! It looks really delicious, great pictures! Also the bagel looks yummy, too! Thanks for sharing.

    Like

  22. 23 Nov 2011 at 04:17 aRVee

    I like the last photo, I need not cook anymore, haha.. What a healthy breakfast you have there pix…

    Like

  23. 23 Nov 2011 at 06:34 Inside the Mind of Isadora

    Thanks for the recipe. I love the photo’s of the progression.
    A wonderful idea when posting recipes. It give you the steps
    and the final look.
    Good one …..
    Isadora

    Like

  24. 23 Nov 2011 at 06:55 nantuckettiechic

    OK, you win. Oatmeal has its own beauty. But I didn’t know about steel-cut! Will try, thanks for the inspiration. And yes, chickens can be quite a comfort in the kitchen.

    Like

  25. 23 Nov 2011 at 19:28 the island traveler

    That ‘s a delicious and healthy breakfast indeed. My grandma used to make porridge for me when I was younger. I usually just put milk and sugar. Back then I didn’t know the porridge has endless possibilities. I love mangoes and banana. Together, a unforgettable flavor is created. Thanks for sharing. best porridge ever-yes! Happy Thanksgiving and a blessed day to you and your family.

    Like

    • 24 Nov 2011 at 06:12 pix & kardz

      thanks, island traveler.
      hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
      in Canada we already celebrated ours several weeks ago.

      Like

  26. 25 Nov 2011 at 08:22 suitablefish

    i love porridge made from steel cut oats in the morning. thanks for sharing your recipe.

    Like


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