Anyone have a good Porridge recipe or add-in idea?

[MTS04]

Looking for add-ins and recipes for porridge. It's that time of year for warm porridge. I'm having some right now with maple in it, but am looking for other ideas. thanks.

[pollypurebred39]

I used to make my Sister's kids one that started with fresh apples cubed, oatmeal, brown sugar, water, a pinch of salt, cinnamon or nutmeg. After ladling into bowls I would give each a splash of cream. They really liked it.

[ahmom]

I like flavored coffee creamer in my oatmeal.

[Grainlady]

Ummmmmmmmmm porridge. What kind of porridge? Oat, wheat, rice, corn, barley, quinoa, dried peas, millet, sorghum (not for the faint-of-heart), buckwheat, and many others? Porridge can be made out of nearly any grain and some beans. Sweet or savory?

I mill whole grains into farina for cooked cereal (cream of wheat, cream of rice, etc.), as well as milling my own flakes from a number of grains and seeds to be used in porridge.

I grew enough amaranth the summer of '08 that I have enough for this year as well (and some to spare), so I make this recipe.

Amaranth Breakfast Porridge
(source: Whole Grains Every Day Every Way - by Lorna Sass)

serves 4

1 c. amaranth
1/2 T. unsalted butter
1-2 T. honey
1/8 t. salt
pinch of ground cinnamon or freshly grated nutmeg (optional)

In a small saucepan, soak the amaranth in 3 cups of water (I also add some whey) for 7-hours, or overnight.

Shortly before you are ready to eat, bring the amaranth to a boil in the soaking water over high heat, uncovered. Stir well. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer until all the water is absorbed and the amaranth is soft and translucent, 3-5 minutes. (It will be slightly crunchy, but shouldn't be hard.) Remove from the heat and stir in the butter, honey, salt, and cinnamon. Serve hot.
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From the same book:
5-Minute Steel-Cut Oats with Gingered Fruit Compote

For the compote:
3 c. mixed dried fruit, such as figs, prunes, apricots, and apple rings
1/2 c. dried cranberries
2-3 T. chopped crystallized ginger
1/2 c. whole almonds

For the oats:
Generous pinch of salt (optional)
1 c. steel-cut oats
Pinch of cinnamon
1/2 c. milk (optional)

To make compote: In a small saucepan, combine 4 cups water with mixed dried fruit, cranberries, ginger, and almonds. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the fruits are soft, 15-20-minutes.

To make steel-cut oats: Bring 4 cups of water and the salt (if using) to a boil in a heavy 2-quart saucepan. Stir in oats and cinnamon (I also add 2 T. whey, kefir or yogurt). Cover with the pan lid and let sit overnight.

The next morning, stir well. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. If all the water has been absorbed, stir in milk (if using) or add additional water. Cover and cook over low heat until the oats are tender, about 5 minutes.

To serve: Divide the oats among 4 bowl and spoon the compote on top.
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Have you ever toasted your oats, oat groats, or steel-cut oats before making oatmeal? It gives your oatmeal a whole new taste. Spread on a baking sheet and toast for about 10-minutes in a 350°F oven.

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I thought I'd make the Spiced Pumpkin Oatmeal recipe I found recently at this link: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/03/di...pagewanted=all

There were several other interesting recipes in the article.

SPICED PUMPKIN OATMEAL

Adapted from Olives NY

Time: 50 minutes

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
4 1/2 cups low-fat milk or water
1 1/2 cups steel-cut oats
3/4 teaspoon salt
Warm applesauce, optional
Chopped fresh apple, optional
Apple cider syrup, optional.

1. In a large saucepan over low heat, toast allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger, stirring occasionally until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in brown sugar, then add pumpkin and stir to combine. Add milk or water, raise heat and bring mixture to a simmer. Stir in oats, and simmer over medium heat until tender but not mushy, about 25 to 30 minutes. Stir in salt.

2. Serve with applesauce, apple and syrup if desired.

Yield: 6 servings.

[Contrary Housewife]

I like butter and maple syrup, or butter and brown sugar. Also dried fruit is good, dates, cranberries, blueberries....

[MTS04]

Thank you! Grainlady, that Amaranth porridge sounds excellent. Usually I make rice porridge.

Thanks so much for the ideas everyone.

[tervsforme]

I like brown sugar and chopped pecans in mine. Sometimes I'll add some cut up dried cherries as well. I have a friend who adds a dollop of peanut butter to hers and then will also sometimes add a diced banana.

[shoiji]

Grainlady - thanks for the compote recipe. Sounds like it would also be good on pancakes, french toast, biscuits, waffles, etc.

I also like to drain any canned fruit I might have and add that to the oatmeal. It is a great way to use canned fruit. For me, peaches are the best.

Also prefer using add-ins instead of buying the pre-packaged flavored hot breakfasts.