The glory of porridge (merged)

bandraoi

I make porridge with water in the microwave.

To prevent it boiling over and save me watching it for five minutes straight. I use freshly boiled water from the kettle, pour it on, leave it to sit for a minute or two. Then it only needs a minute in the microwave and it's much less tedious to watch it.

msb5262

During the week when time is tight, I make porridge in the microwave. Ordinary Quaker oats (or supermarket own brand, not smartprice) with half semi-skimmed milk, half water, and a handful of raisins. I use a huge glass measuring jug to cook the porridge so it can expand as much as it likes.
At weekends, when time isn't an issue, I use a cast iron pan and get slightly nicer-tasting porridge, but it takes longer. Occasionally I make double quantities (using either method), then reheat the remaining half the next day in the microwave. It all tastes pretty good!

Bronnie

Personally I think there's a massive difference between the taste and consistency of the 'basics' or cheapo porridge oats and the more expensive ones, when both cooked in the same way, with water in the microwave.
DD bought Tesco Value instead of the standard Tesco one once and I had to give up using it and save it for flapjacks as it didn't cook nicely. I paid a bit extra for a higher-up -the -range Sainsbury's porridge (can't remember which one as I've decanted it into a tub and thrown the packet away!) and it was way superior, cooked to a beautiful creamy consistency and was very sustaining even cooked with water.

bitter-roses

bandraoi wrote: »

To prevent it boiling over and save me watching it for five minutes straight. I use freshly boiled water from the kettle, pour it on, leave it to sit for a minute or two. Then it only needs a minute in the microwave and it's much less tedious to watch it.

Sounds like a plan, and easier to do at work than the alternative. Roughly how much water do you put in?

bitter-roses

Bronnie wrote: »

Personally I think there's a massive difference between the taste and consistency of the 'basics' or cheapo porridge oats and the more expensive ones, when both cooked in the same way, with water in the microwave.
DD bought Tesco Value instead of the standard Tesco one once and I had to give up using it and save it for flapjacks as it didn't cook nicely. I paid a bit extra for a higher-up -the -range Sainsbury's porridge (can't remember which one as I've decanted it into a tub and thrown the packet away!) and it was way superior, cooked to a beautiful creamy consistency and was very sustaining even cooked with water.

I agree, particularly on the consistency issue.

The difference between porridge made with Tesco Finest Rolled Oats (I know there are cheaper alternatives around; that one’s the one I’m used to, though) and porridge made with Oatso Simple is quite noticeable. The former much thicker and more filling even when made with water.

If it weren’t a waste of money to chuck them out when there’s still half a packet of them left, I’d have got rid of the Oatso Simple sachets by now. *grumps*

annakat99

I used to use the oat-so-simple sachets, until I compared the price with normal oats - they're extortionate!!!!

You can make porridge with normal oats in the microwave. I tend to find that using cheaper (usually smaller) oats has better results if you prefer smoother porridge, it cooks faster. Either that, or soak them before-hand (e.g. get up, kettle on, soak porridge, get dressed, porridge ready to be cooked, make lunch whilst it's in the microwave, eat, out the door)

bandraoi

bitter-roses wrote: »

Sounds like a plan, and easier to do at work than the alternative. Roughly how much water do you put in?

Same as normal, twice as much by volume as the porridge.
So half a cup of porridge, full cup of water.
That said, I do usually over estimate the amount of porridge and under estimate the amount of water to produce a thicker porridge, and less watching still.

penrhyn

I make my porridge with water, not the Quaker variety, but Jordans who use jumbo oats. It takes longer than the 'powdery porridge but i think its worth it.



My quick cooking method is, three quarters full mug of oats into a large bowl.
Pour on full mug of boiling water, give a quick stir.
40 seconds in the microwave on full power.
2 minutes on simmer.
Give a good stir and serve.
I like mine with a variety of fruit, tescos frozen blueberries or summer fruits are nice, as is a cut up banana, even tinned prunes ( if needed!).
A sprinkle of Splenda, and a good splash of skimmed milk.

You would have to experiment with the timings, mine is a 1000 watt microwave.

jollymummy

We use Tesco porridge oats. DH makes his with water and salt. I like mine with milk and DS likes his with jam or honey in his Roary the Racing car bowl - he is 3 Takes me about 3 mins to do it in a pan.

Guapa1

I make my porrage with water and condensed milk. That way I get the creaminess of milk and the sugar I'd usually add.