instant porridge-make it yourself?

mummyroysof3

I had been buying the packets where you just add milk but will defrost give this a try when we run out, hubby likes a pinch on ciniman in his or some raisins

mummyroysof3

Just thinking how I would put golden syrup in then I remembered I have a squirts bottle one so could stir in after yay

Callie22

Sainsbury's sell little pots of freeze dried raspberries and strawberries so you can add a bit of these and make fruity porridge. Also the fruit mixes they do are lovely when you add them. I've been making instant porridge for a while like this, and it's so nice to be able to make your own combinations of flavours, which tend to be quite a bit healthier than the supermarket versions. A favourite at the moment is 'cherry bakewell' - so dried cherries and some almonds, and gingerbread - spices (cinnamon, ginger etc) and a tiny bit of black treacle. You can also go all fancy and make flavours like vanilla chai - I do this by adding some of the 'Drink Me' chai powder you can get, but you can also do it with spices and tea bags. That's lovely with some nuts on top.

thriftwizard

Not knocking instant porridge, especially not the home-made variety, but I've just rediscovered overnight porridge. I lived in Scotland (lovely country!) in my late teens/early twenties & couldn't work out why nothing seemed to taste as good as the porridge my landlady up there used to make. But she used to leave it on the pilot light of the cooker all night & it's a long time since cookers have had those. Then I came across a recipe where you mix 1 cup oats with 1 cup warm water & 2 tbsps yogurt & leave it somewhere warm overnight, then add another cup of boiling water & a little salt, heat it up & simmer for a few minutes, then add the flavouring of your choice - in my case that's home-made apple butter. It tastes fantastic - really creamy, like I think porridge should taste. Not at all instant, but worth a try.

fuddle

when I discovered DH was buying those pots of porridge I hit the roof. Since then I have been soaking a pot of oats in milk overnight, adding a squirt of honey. DH takes it to work for breakfast, zapping in the microwave and eats a very creamy porridge that is cheap, wholesome and free from nasties.

iammumtoone

thriftwizard wrote: »

Not knocking instant porridge, especially not the home-made variety, but I've just rediscovered overnight porridge. I lived in Scotland (lovely country!) in my late teens/early twenties & couldn't work out why nothing seemed to taste as good as the porridge my landlady up there used to make. But she used to leave it on the pilot light of the cooker all night & it's a long time since cookers have had those. Then I came across a recipe where you mix 1 cup oats with 1 cup warm water & 2 tbsps yogurt & leave it somewhere warm overnight, then add another cup of boiling water & a little salt, heat it up & simmer for a few minutes, then add the flavouring of your choice - in my case that's home-made apple butter. It tastes fantastic - really creamy, like I think porridge should taste. Not at all instant, but worth a try.

I'd like to try this. Where do you suggest I leave it somewhere warm? especially in the winter when I tend eat porridge.

BitterAndTwisted

I was wondering who was buying those individual servings of porridge, so now I know.

I had trouble figuring out how hard it would be to take a serving of oats to work in a container and then sling it in a microwave for two minutes.

Mmmmm! Proper porridge oats soaked overnight: that's not the usual rolled oats you buy in the supermarket, is it? I seem to remember my Mam standing over the stove giving it a good stir for a lot longer than a couple of minutes in the mornings in winter when I was a nipper.

moneyballs2

Callie22 wrote: »

Sainsbury's sell little pots of freeze dried raspberries and strawberries so you can add a bit of these and make fruity porridge. Also the fruit mixes they do are lovely when you add them. I've been making instant porridge for a while like this, and it's so nice to be able to make your own combinations of flavours, which tend to be quite a bit healthier than the supermarket versions. A favourite at the moment is 'cherry bakewell' - so dried cherries and some almonds, and gingerbread - spices (cinnamon, ginger etc) and a tiny bit of black treacle. You can also go all fancy and make flavours like vanilla chai - I do this by adding some of the 'Drink Me' chai powder you can get, but you can also do it with spices and tea bags. That's lovely with some nuts on top.

I thought I was being experimental by putting a bit of cinnamon and some raisins in the batch I made for the upcoming week! Guess I've got to up my game!

I also like the fact I don't have to put any extra sugar in mine. I was so shocked to see how much sugar they were adding in the shop bought ones!

Callie22

moneyballs2 wrote: »

I also like the fact I don't have to put any extra sugar in mine. I was so shocked to see how much sugar they were adding in the shop bought ones!

OH went through a phase of buying the 'oat-so-simple' sachets - he works away a lot and liked the convenience. However, I was horrified by the nutritional information, for example, I noticed that there was such a massive difference in the fat content between the plain and golden syrup varieties, I'd expect to see 'more' sugar but not loads more fat. I'm much happier making some pots up for him to take to work, and it's cheaper too.

fuddle

That's all DH is using bitterandtwisted. The cheap supermarket oats. I don't have a microwave at home so can't test it myself but its good enough for him.

I wonder if the soaking in milk (in the fridge) overnight helps soften the oats so a zap is all they need?