I love porridge! I love porridge even more now that I have created a Spiced Porridge Mix and Sweet Porridge. Craig hates porridge but that’s his bad luck, yet since making the sweet variety I think it’s creeping in. However, back to why I am writing! A lot of you have asked what is the difference between quick oats and normal Traditional (the only type I could get when I was a kid) oats and the cooking methods.
Traditional Oats
According to a couple of sites (Uncle Toby’s & Honest to Goodness), traditional rolled oats are the oat grains or groats that are steamed then rolled to create the flat oat. Makes sense as to why they are called rolled doesn’t it, what a process, would love to see it. I have seen pedal powered rolled oats (they are the best oats) while at the Orange Farmers Market last year, do your work out while making breakfast.
Watch them >>
On the Honest to Goodness site they say that their rolled oats take about 20 to 30 minutes (a bit long for most people in the morning), however Uncle Toby’s say about 5 mins on the stove and 3 mins in the microwave.
Here’s how I cook my Spiced Porridge Mix:
How to Make Porridge (serves 2)
1/2 cup Not Without Spice Spiced Porridge
1/4 cup chopped apple or strewed apples
1 1/4 cups cold water,
milk and honey to serve.
How to make
1. Combine Not Without Spice Spiced Porridge, apple and water in a saucepan over high heat; bring to the boil, stirring constantly; reduce heat and simmer 5 minute or until oats are thick and creamy (sometime you need more water to make it a bit runnier).
2. Divide between two serving bowls, add a dash of milk and honey.
I alway use Tour de Oats unless I run out Traditional rolled oats, that’s what I use in the Spiced Porridge and Sweet Porridge Mixes I sell to you. I guess however I have a bit more time in the mornings then most people. Yet when you think about it, 5 minutes is no time really, just goes to show you how busy our world has become.
Quick Oats
Like the Rolled (traditional) Oats, quick oats have also been steamed and rolled however they can be steamed longer then normal, rolled thinner or cut finer. They have nothing extra added to make them cook quicker, it is just that they are in smaller pieces. The only difference with quick oats is what their name says, they are quicker. They can cook up to half the time then rolled oats. So I guess it comes down to your time or if you run late a lot as to what you use in the morning.
Here’s how to cook our Sweet Porridge in the Microwave (serves 2):
You’ll need:
1/2 cup of Not Without Spice Sweet Porridge Mix
3/4 cup of water
Stewed Fruit
Milk and Honey to serve
how to make:
1. Add oats and milk to a microwave proof bowl. Cook on HIGH for 1 1/2 minutes, stir.
2. Cook for a further 1 minute or so.
3. Divide between two serving bowls, add a dash of milk, stewed fruit and honey.
I know these 2 recipes are a bit longer because we don’t use the quick oats but it is still a quick and yummy breakfast . Also you can use the Spiced Porridge Mix for the Sweet Porridge mix in these recipes, they are interchangeable. If you are wanting to try out our Spiced Porridge, Sweet Porridge or even our Chai Spice Muesli you can head over to the website here or find us at one of our monthly weekend markets. Check our Facebook page for market dates. Otherwise drop us a line on 0403746806.
Now we like to know what you’re doing in the Kitchen? Do like porridge, or what’s you favourite recipe for using oats? (Craig’s in the background yelling out “Anzac biscuits”). Please leave a comment below!
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