Winter warming porridge

As the weather cools down breakfast get a bit harder as we all start to look to warming foods.

Whilst we are 95% Paleo here (excluding Master 3 who is 100% Paleo),  Master 4 does enjoy rolled oats porridge now that it’s colder in the mornings. I for the time being have been using organic rolled oats whilst I have been looking for a better less processed option and I have discovered it!

I picked up some oat groats (grain) with my bulk dried order on Friday to experiment with.

What are oat groats you ask?

They are a whole and minimally processed oats which means they retain a higher nutritional value.

They do need to be soaked overnight and have a slightly longer cooking time than rolled oats but by using them you are retaining all the essential B vitamins oats contain (as well as Iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium & calcium) that the process of steaming and rolling out and toasting  the oats to make commercially processed  rolled oats depletes. 

When you eat you want to be retaining the whole goodness that the food contains and the more processes the food goes through the less nutrients it contains.

(Oat groats on the left, traditional rolled oats on the right)

So this is how it’s done.

Take a serving size portion of your oat groats/grains and blitz in the Thermomix on speed 7 – 8 (or high powered blender) till they are slightly split, don’t worry if they are not all split you don't want a power you still want textured grains.

Then soak overnight in filtered water. If you wish you can add a sprinkle of Himalayan salt or if you can tolerate dairy some whey or even a dash of apple cider vinegar (with Mother, the Braggs brand is the best one to use). This helps with the soaking process and breaking down the enzyme inhibitors that grains contain.

In the morning drain the groats and place in the Thermomix with your choice of milk (half the milk to the amount of grains) with a sprinkle of cinnamon (a great anti inflammatory spice with many health benefits)  at 100 deg,  speed soft for approximately 9 mins. Add more milk through the MC lid if you think it’s too dry (we don’t like soupy porridge here).

If you don't have a Thermomix you can do this on a stovetop low heat stirring until the porridge is cooked through.

Serve with some raw honey, fresh berries or stewed fruit and nuts/seeds or a chopped banana.

Note: Oats do contain gluten so are not for those on a GF diet or Celiacs or people with other autoimmune conditions. Gluten is extremely damaging to those who have leaky gut and autoimmune conditions and should be avoided until leaky gut condition/autoimmune condition is under control. 

You can read more about the effect s on gluten and the gut by looking into Autoimmune Paleo which limits certain foods including, grains, eggs, nightshades, spices etc to help heal leaky gut/autoimmune conditions.

If you are gluten free there are many gluten free grains/seeds that you can use to make porridge, Buckwheat and millet and quinoa flakes are great options. 

I find it easier to have them soaked and cooked and then just warm up in the milk of your choice and serve up with any of the suggestions above. This is also a great time saver if you need to be out the door in a hurry it only takes a few mins to heat up on the stove top. 

Buckwheat porridge with stewed rhubarb, apple & blueberries topped with fresh raspberries 

To cook placed soaked buckwheat, millet, quinoa etc and I do this in the basket of the thermomix with water filled below for approximately 18 mins speed 2-3. They store well in a Pyrex glass container in the fridge for a few days.

If you are gluten free and still having health issues/symptoms I highly recommend considering removing all grains (Paleo style of cooking) to see if you are cross reactive to them. This was the case in Master 3 and he is now Autoimmune Paleo which is a bit stricter than Paleo as explained above but we are having excellent results.

What are your favourite winter breakfasts?

~

Kat

Disclaimer:

The information shared on Feeding Two Growing Boys is based solely on my own personal experiences and research.

The information offered here is not intended to replace medical/trained holistic advice. 

Before beginning or making any changes please always consult your chosen health care provider.