Vanilla Pear Porridge

We love a good bowl of porridge for breakfast in our house. My boys are really in to pears at the moment, so I made them some porridge topped with warm pears sweetened entirely with vanilla, no extra sugar added. I have this amazing vanilla bean grinder from Dr Oetker, which I got in Germany, and I just grind some in to the pears during cooking. I haven’t seen these grinders in the UK, but you could use a bit of vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste instead.

vanilla pear porridge

Ingredients (serves 1 adult or 2 kids)

  • 4 Tbsp porridge oats (ca. 40g)
  • 100ml water
  • 100ml almond milk
  • 2 tsp coconut oil
  • 2 tsp nut butter (e.g. almond or cashew)
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • a dash of maple syrup
  • 1 large pear
  • vanilla bean/ paste/ essence
  • Greek yoghurt to serve (optional)
  • mixed seeds to garnish (optional)

If you prefer, you can of course make it with all water or all milk. My general rule of thumb is 200ml liquid for 4 Tbsp of oats. We like ours quite thick, so add more liquid if you like yours runnier.

Directions

  • Mix the oats with 100ml boiling water in a pan, and leave to soak for 5 minutes. If you are using other oats, e.g. jumbo oats, you will probably need longer than 5 minutes. You want to oats to be softened and slightly mushy.
  • While the oats are soaking, peel, core and chop up the pear. Melt 1tsp of coconut oil in a saucepan, and sauté the pears over a medium heat until they are soft, adding in some vanilla to taste after a minute or so.
  • Once the oats have finished soaking, stir in the almond milk, remaining coconut oil, spices and maple syrup, and cook over a medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until it reaches a thick, creamy consistency.
  • Transfer to a bowl. If it seems too thick – the porridge will continue to thicken as it stands and cools – you can stir in another dash of almond milk to loosen it up.
  • Add a dollop of Greek yoghurt, and top with the sautéd pears. You can also sprinkle some seeds on top, we have keep a bag of mixed sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds in the house and the boys love adding a bit of crunch to their porridge.

Comments: 5

  • reply

    Ami

    19 April 2018

    Ooo this sounds like a delicious recipe and one all the family would enjoy! Have saved it for the weekend :)

  • reply

    Deb

    20 April 2018

    That looks so tasty. I want to eat it now :)

  • reply
    23 April 2018

    Oh this sounds so nice, I have porridge every day and love this recipe idea

  • reply
    24 April 2018

    Such a delicious idea!!! I am sure it is going to be a hit in our house too

  • reply
    25 April 2018

    Nom I’m totally trying this! I need to get my hands on one of those vanilla bean grinders too

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