Tuesday, July 31, 2012

banana choc-chip porridge



I love porridge. I really do. I love the warm creaminess, the wintry feel and the way it fills you up for ages. I even have the cooking down to a fine art so I can put a pot on, go and get dressed and fix my face, and come back to creamy oats. It's taken a lot of trial and error (once I left an element on for 12 hours while I went to uni!), but I'm happy with where I'm at! One day when it's more than just me eating it, I'm going to try cooking them in the slow cooker overnight. Yum!

I really can't do microwaving. It explodes everywhere and I get a hot sticky mess every time I do. I've tried every way known to man but it's just not happening for me.

While I never thought I'd deviate from my original porridge formula, I soon got hooked on my apple pie version. Such a handy way to get a bit of extra fruit and fibre in your diet. I thought I'd mix it up a bit because I struggle eating bananas on their own, but can usually handle them in other things. Thus the banana-choc-chip porridge was born. It's a little bit fun.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup water or milk (I do a combination)
pinch salt
sweetener to taste (I used honey)
1 small banana, mashed
1 tablespoon choc chips (I get sugar- and dairy-free ones from the bulk bins at the health food store)

Directions:

1. Mix oats and water/milk with the salt in a saucepan and place on low heat.

2. Simmer 10-15 minutes until oats are creamy, adding more liquid as necessary.

3. Add banana, taste for sweetener. Sprinkle with choc chips.

24 comments:

  1. I was brought up on oatmeal . . that is what we called porridge. I have been a lover all my life.

    Had to print this recipe . . great way to eat a banana.

    I've done the overnight otmeal and it is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  2. yes I always call it oatmeal, in my head I'm American! But porridge sounded better with these ingredients haha. It's pretty delicious. I've not tried the overnight oats, I am too scared to eat it cold!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Choc chips for breakfast? I'm not going to let my hubby see this post :) In our house, he's the sweet tooth monster.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's better than choc chip pancakes? I've only ever done it once in 32 years, so I think it's ok!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I fully support the addition of chocolate chips to just about everything.  
    I also fully support the addition of peanut butter to just about everything.

    I cheat making porridge here...I always make it in the evening and then I add a bit more milk and reheat it in the microwave in the morning.  
    I generally add a bit of applesauce and some cinnamon...but tomorrow I think I will go with banana and chocolate chips!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ellen @ anewkindofwonderfulJuly 31, 2012 at 11:47 AM

    My boys are obsessed with your fluffy pikelets, so will be trying this for them. Love love love your recipes!

    ReplyDelete
  7. This looks so yummy! This morning we tried buckwheat porridge with cinnamom, mixed spice, honey and milk - it was really yummy! 
    Sarah xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. I had banana choc chip pikelets today :P 

    ReplyDelete
  9. this sounds yummo. i've recently gone off oats but this (minus the choc chips) sounds brilliant. might try these soon!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Belinda @ Elsie and JoanJuly 31, 2012 at 10:12 PM

    I love porridge too, it's been the one thing that will make me haul out of bed this winter. I'm a purist though and have always resisted messing with my formula. But chocolate chips?! genius man. I will break them rules.

    By the way, I when I say purist - I mean I religiously have mine made on the stove with milk, sprinkled with raw sugar and....you guessed it, butter! My husband was initially as mortified as you, but now I think he's butter curious ;-) Belinda x

    ReplyDelete
  11. I like mine cooked with all milk (water makes it yucky!), apple and cinnamon. Once cooked I throw in whatever other fruit I feel like. Peaches in mango juice is brilliant, as is blueberries or raspberries. I've also mixed it up by adding 1/2 coconut milk- which is also good with buckwheat. Porridge is just the best.

    ReplyDelete
  12. my lameness knows no bounds. i have propped the laptop on the kitchen bench and i am making your porridge. my kids have been resistant, but surely banana/honey/chocolate can sway them! :) will let you know...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sorry it's not brilliant WITH the choc chips! I actually prefer it without the banana...

    ReplyDelete
  14. That is super-clever! My apple pie oatmeal sounds very similar xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. After I read this I went and made pikelets! How good are they x

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm scared of buckwheat porridge, but maybe I should try it?

    ReplyDelete
  17. That is because you are awesome! I just had plain ones with waaaay too much jam and cream x

    ReplyDelete
  18. That combo should be illegal it looks so good!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I want to pin it! Can you please invite me?

    ReplyDelete
  20. buttterrrrrrr! so weird! I put cream on mine :-D

    ReplyDelete
  21. Ordinarily I'd agree with you - I was all milk, all the way! But then I switched to soy and I was terrified the soy flavour would take over the porridge flavour, so cut it with water. I seriously couldn't tell the difference and now I still do it even though the soy milk I use is really mild. The coconut milk I've GOT to try!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I LOVE YOUR LAMENESS WHICH ACTUALLY ISN'T EVEN LAME AT ALL!

    ReplyDelete