Delicious Nut Dredged Porridge

Porridge is a warm, soothing breakfast that has been enjoyed around the world for centuries. This simple dish made from oats is nourishing, customizable, and easy to make. Dredging porridge in nuts adds crunch and flavor, taking this comforting classic to new heights.

The Basics of Porridge

Porridge begins with oats. Rolled oats or steel-cut oats can be used, with rolled oats resulting in a creamier texture. Oats are simmered in liquid until softened and thickened. Water or dairy milk are common porridge liquids, but plant-based milks also work well. Salt is added to enhance the oat flavor. Beyond the basic ingredients, creative cooks have developed many variations on porridge.

The Benefits of Eating Porridge

Porridge offers several nutritional benefits:

• Oats provide important nutrients like manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, folate, B vitamins, and antioxidants.
• The soluble fiber in oats can help lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
• Porridge is very filling and provides long-lasting energy.
• It's easy to digest and gentle on the stomach.
• Porridge can be eaten by many people with food allergies or intolerances.

A wholesome bowl of porridge makes for a nutritious, satisfying way to start the day.

Customizing Your Porridge

One of the great things about porridge is its versatility. There are endless ways to adapt it to suit your tastes and dietary needs. Here are some easy customizations:

• Mix in fresh, dried, or frozen fruits like berries, banana, apple, mango.
• Stir in nuts, seeds, nut butter, or coconut for crunch.
• Sweeten with honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, or jam.
• Add spices like cinnamon, allspice, cardamom, vanilla, or pumpkin pie spice.
• Swirl in yogurt, peanut butter, almond butter, tahini.
• Drizzle with milk or a plant-based milk like almond, oat, or soy.
• Top with granola, toasted oats, or muesli for texture.

The possibilities are endless! Feel free to get creative and make your porridge your own.

Dredging Porridge in Chopped Nuts

One simple way to elevate your bowl of porridge is to dredge it in chopped nuts. This adds delicious crunch and nutty flavor to the creamy oats.

Choosing Which Nuts to Use

You can use just about any type of nut for dredging porridge. Popular choices include:

• Almonds - Slivered or chopped, these nuts add a mildly sweet crunch.
• Walnuts - Their woodsy flavor pairs perfectly with cinnamon porridge.
• Pecans - Chopped pecans give a nice texture contrast and nutty richness.
• Pistachios - Vibrant green chopped pistachios look and taste delicious.
• Hazelnuts - Finely chopped hazelnuts lend a sweet, buttery flavor.
• Cashews - Chopped cashews blend smoothly with porridge.

Mix and match different types of nuts to create new flavors and textures.

Toasting the Nuts

To really maximize the flavor of the nuts, it's best to toast them before dredging your porridge. Here's how:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Spread nuts out in single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.
3. Toast nuts for 5-10 minutes, stirring halfway through. Nuts are done when lightly browned and fragrant.
4. Chop or coarsely chop the toasted nuts.

Toasting deepens the nutty flavor and adds a delightful crunch when dredged on porridge.

Dredging Technique

Dredging your hot porridge in nuts is simple:

1. Prepare porridge according to package directions.
2. Transfer hot porridge to a bowl.
3. Sprinkle a generous amount of chopped toasted nuts over the top, coating the entire surface.
4. Enjoy your nut-dredged porridge!

The hot oats will melt the chopped nuts slightly, adhering them to the porridge. Each creamy bite will be topped with nutty crunch and flavor.

Creative Nut Topping Ideas

Beyond chopping and dredging, there are lots of creative ways to use nuts as porridge toppings. Consider these tasty options:

Spiced Nut Medley

Toast pecans, walnuts, almonds and cashews with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice. Sprinkle this spiced nut medley over apple cinnamon porridge.

Candied Pecans

Coat pecans in egg white, then dredge in a mixture of brown sugar and spice. Bake until caramelized and crisp. Sprinkle these sweet candied pecans over vanilla porridge.

Nutty Granola Clusters

Combine oats, nuts, seeds, coconut, honey and oil. Bake in clusters, then break into chunks to top berry porridge.

Pistachio Dukkah

Mix chopped pistachios with sesame seeds, coriander, cumin and salt. Sprinkle this Egyptian dukkah over date porridge.

Peanut Crunch

Heat peanut butter with brown sugar, then mix in crispy rice cereal. Sprinkle on chocolate hazelnut porridge.

Recipe: Apple Pie Porridge with Candied Walnuts

This apple pie-inspired porridge is topped with sweet candied walnuts for crunch. It makes a delightful fall or winter breakfast.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 2 cups water or milk
• 1 apple, chopped
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Bring oats, water or milk, apple, cinnamon, brown sugar and salt to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until oats are tender and porridge is creamy.
2. Meanwhile, make the candied walnuts. Toss walnuts with brown sugar and melted butter. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until browned and caramelized.
3. Divide porridge between 2 bowls. Top with candied walnuts.

The sweet crunchy walnuts complement the warm, comforting apple pie porridge beautifully. This nutty twist on a classic is sure to satisfy on chilly mornings.

The Benefits of Adding Nuts to Porridge

Beyond great taste and texture, adding nuts to your porridge has many benefits:

Nutrition

Nuts add valuable nutrients like protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Sprinkling porridge with nuts makes this breakfast even more nutritious.

Staying Power

The protein, fat and fiber in nuts helps keep you feeling full and satisfied. Porridge with nut toppings provides lasting energy.

Flavor and Texture

Nuts provide delicious flavor and a great crunchy contrast to the soft porridge. They make this comforting breakfast more interesting.

Endless Variety

With so many nuts and ways to use them as toppings, you can enjoy endless variations of nut-topped porridge.

Nutty porridge makes for a healthy, tasty start to your day!

Tips for Perfect Nut-Topped Porridge

Follow these tips for porridge success:

• Use quality oats and nuts for the best texture and flavor.
• Toast nuts to maximize the nutty taste.
• Sweeten porridge sparingly to let the oat and nut flavors shine.
• Cook porridge with water or milk to achieve your desired consistency.
• Try different nut varieties and combinations.
• Add spices like cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, or nutmeg.
• Serve porridge topped with sliced fruit, yogurt, or additional sweeteners.
• Garnish with extra chopped nuts for added crunch.
• Store leftovers in the fridge and reheat with milk or water.

With the right techniques, your nut-coated porridge will be craveably delicious every time.

The History of Porridge

Porridge's humble beginnings date back thousands of years. Some key points in its long history include:

Ancient Times

Porridge-like dishes made from grains were part of early European, Middle Eastern and East Asian cultures. Oats, barley, rice and millet were common grains used.

Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages, porridge became a staple food for many people in Europe and Britain. It was nutrient-dense and inexpensive.

1700s

As trade increased, imported goods like sugar became more available, allowing sweeter porridge variations to develop. Nuts could be used as special occasion toppings.

1800s

In the mid-1800s, porridge became linked with health benefits. Dr. James Jackson promoted oat porridge as nourishing food for the ill.

Today

Porridge remains a beloved comfort food around the world. Creative flavors like mixed nut toppings make it appealing to modern palates.

This ancient food has come a long way but is still a nutritious way to start the day.

Conclusion

Porridge loaded with chopped nuts makes for a supremely satisfying, healthy breakfast. The combination of creamy porridge and crunchy, nutty toppings is sure to please. Oats provide important nutrients while nuts add protein, fiber and healthy fats. Feel free to get creative with your porridge toppings and enjoy endless nutty variations. Dredging your morning bowl of porridge in your favorite nuts can upgrade this comforting classic from basic to beautiful.

FAQs

What kind of nuts go best on porridge?

Almonds, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, pistachios, and cashews all make excellent toppings for porridge. Their crunch and flavor pair wonderfully with creamy oats.

Should nuts be toasted before putting on porridge?

Yes, toasting nuts deepens their flavor and gives them a delightful crunch when used as porridge toppings. Bake at 350°F for 5-10 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned.

Can you use peanut butter on porridge?

Definitely! Swirling peanut butter into porridge adds nutty flavor, protein, and healthy fats. It pairs nicely with banana porridge or chocolate hazelnut porridge.

Is porridge with nuts good for you?

Yes, porridge loaded with nut toppings is very nutritious. Oats offer fiber, vitamins, and minerals while nuts provide protein, healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants. It makes a very wholesome breakfast.

What is the best milk for porridge?

Dairy milk and plant-based milks like almond, oat, and soy work well in porridge. Using milk instead of water gives porridge a richer, creamier texture. Choose unsweetened varieties for the most flavor.

In summary, dredging warm bowls of porridge in crunchy chopped nuts is a simple way to take this comforting breakfast up a notch. Let your creativity run wild with nut variations and sweet and savory add-ins. Nut-coated porridge makes for a satisfying morning meal that will stick with you.