In amongst the discussions about back bling, axes, seasons and battle passes, there is shared pan of porridge between a father and his son. Over 8 weeks it’s become our little ritual on workdays. He’s up around 30 mins after the house wakes and the timing is just right before I log in.
There are so many variations on this simple dish and I think it really comes down to taste, over the years though I’ve come round to the overnight soak method. I’m not sure I could tell the difference between those oats soaked overnight and those that were just added to the pan on whim, so if you forget to soak…don’t let it put you off.
In my case as I put a serving together for the 2 early birds I also put the ingredients for 1 into a microwave dish for the teenager of the house, as he makes his own in the microwave when he’s ready. Something he’s been doing since year one at secondary school. Keeps the cereal and cost of milk down as one bowl of porridge easily out ways the double bowl habit he has.
| Serve 1 | Serves 2 | |
| Scottish porridge oats
Milk Water |
60g
300g 60g |
120g
600g 120g |
The liquid is weighed just so that I don’t create washing up with the jug
Topping Ideas
- Banana and blueberries
- Strawberries and Raspberries
- A Teaspoon of honey
- Raisins and a sprinkle of cinnamon
- Chopped nuts
- Nutella my sons favourite
Overnight Soak Approach
- Add all the ingredients into the pan, put the lid on, just before you go to bed and leave in a cool place. We have a cool kitchen so on the hob for us.
- In the morning bring to simmer on a gentle heat stirring as you go, 5 mins or so.
- Will get to the point where it starts puttering to itself. Turn the heat down, stir a couple of times to stop it sticking to the bottom.
The nuke it approach
- Lid off,
- 1 minute on full heat, stir
- 1 minute on full heat, stir
- 1 minute on full heat
- Leave for a minute or so.
Do it enough times and you’ll find your rhythm, I’m sure 2 mins on a low heat and then another 2 mins on low heat would work as well. The one thing you don’t need is specially branded microwave sachets. Although I do understand the convenience.
This morning for some reason I’m taken back to the days of ready break and the advertising campaign of getting the glow! Just did a quick check and you can still get it! Also did a price comparison. 85p per 100g for a sachet approach and 12p per 100g for the supermarket brand of standard Scottish rolled oats.
Water not milk….I know the true traditionalists out there will use just water, and a bit of salt, splash of cream. I can’t make that leap and it’s a case of finding your own balance. The recipe is mainly for those folk who don’t have porridge in their lives.
And finally, porridge really is magic in a bowl……I once went to India from the UK, flew out on the Sunday and was back for the Friday. In between travelled to Mumbai, Pune and then Chennai. The food was amazing, but my stomach had been so bashed and battered, turned up on its head again…..the thing I craved when I got home was a bowl of porridge, soothing, comforting and something that added a sense of balance back into my world.