Since childhood, breakfast has always been my favourite meal, and porridge (or oatmeal, as it was called in our childhood home) has always been a breakfast staple. I make a pot of porridge nearly every week day, asking each morning which kids are keen for it. Usually we get two to three kids who want porridge, so I make a pot accordingly. About a year ago, I started adding chia seeds to my porridge, and I really love the added nutrition and feel like it helps to keep me full until lunchtime. After interviewing nutritionist, Sophie Ricard, for my Tweens & Teens e-Course, I learned how important it is to ensure the kids get protein in their breakfast, so we started adding a generous spoonful of nut butter to our porridge, and not only is it good for you, it’s so yummy! I can’t eat porridge without it now. I’ve shared below our porridge recipe and the toppings we love…
Recipe for Oat Porridge with Chia Seeds:
Ingredients for the Porridge (per person):
- ½ cup of organic rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons of chia seeds
- 1 cup of milk of choice (I often mix cow’s milk and coconut milk)
- Pinch of salt
- Generous sprinkle of cinnamon
- Small sprinkle of ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon of vanilla paste (or vanilla extract if you don’t have paste)
Method for the Porridge:
Add the oats and chia seeds then add the milk and stir. Add the salt, cinnamon, cloves and vanilla and cook on medium until the oats are soft and the milk is absorbed and it’s a nice porridge consistency. Top with the seasonal toppings below.
Summer Toppings:
- Seasonal berries — strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.
- Mango, banana, peaches or whatever fruit you have in your fruit bowl
- 1 large spoonful of natural yoghurt
- 1 large spoonful of rhubarb compote
- 1 large spoonful of nut butter (we love a pecan butter, but almond or peanut butter work too)
- Drizzle of honey or maple syrup (only if you want to sweeten your porridge — my kids like this!)
Winter Toppings:
- Stewed apples or pears
- Sprinkle of cinnamon
- 1 large spoonful of natural yoghurt
- Drizzle of maple syrup
- Pecans or almonds, or a seed mix of choice
For more family-friendly recipes and food ideas, you can check out my eBook or the Nurture e-course. Both of these include some of our favourite recipes!
