Bring new life to this humble yet hearty breakfast dish
Some make it with cow's milk, some make it with water, while others prefer one of the many non-dairy milks now available – however you make your bowl of porridge, this hearty breakfast bowl of simple oats has been keeping generations full until lunchtime for decades.
But as we become more educated about food, and as supermarkets stock an ever-increasing and diverse range of products, we can now enhance our humble bowl of porridge with some quick and easy twists.
Flax seed
Excellent for your digestive health, the first thing to know about flax seed is that there are different types and it’s important to pick the right one. You can buy flax seeds whole, crushed, or milled. The first kind can be tough to swallow, while the last two are best for porridge as their fine, powdery texture blends nicely with the oats.
Chia seeds
This superfood only came onto the scene a few years ago but is now a staple of many kitchen cupboards. Fibre, protein, antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids are present in these little seeds that expand when immersed in liquid.
Cacao nibs
These chippings are essentially a purer form of chocolate made from crushed cocoa beans. Lower in sugar than the chocolate you find in a regular bar, these bitter nibs are rich in antioxidants and can help combat heart disease, inflammation and diabetes.
Dried fruit
Back in the day, dried fruit meant a bag of sticky sultanas. But now, the dried fruit aisle in the supermarket is packed with all kinds, such as apricots, mango, cranberries, blueberries and figs. Of course, here in the Middle East, dates are a major player of the dried fruit market and work wonderfully in porridge when chopped up.
Yoghurt
Protein and creamy texture can be yours by stirring in a spoonful of plain yoghurt to your hot oats. Choose a fruity yoghurt, though, and an instant layer of flavour is added. Another bonus of adding yoghurt is that it cools down your porridge – handy if you’re in a rush and need to bolt your breakfast and get on the road.
Coconut flakes
Scatter these on top of your porridge and they bring tropical flavour to any bowl of porridge. What’s more, coconut flakes veer between crunchy and chewy to add a nice variety of texture.
Nut butters
As well as rich flavour, the great thing about adding nut butters to porridge is the easy hit of protein you get thrown into the bargain. Whether you like it chunky or smooth, a dollop of peanut, almond or even macadamia nut butter adds another dimension to porridge.
Honey
A sprinkling of brown sugar is often a favoured topping for hot porridge, but as we learn more about nutrition, a blob of honey from a convenient squeezy bottle adds sweetness, but without the sugar rush.
