Many of us are still in holiday mood. I speak as someone eyeing up an unclaimed box of chocolates whilst also contemplating when it is seemly to ask my lovely in-laws if they would like a glass of Prosecco (it is not quite 4 pm; but it is Boxing Day.). 😉
What I should be thinking about is getting to the gym for a pre-flight workout. What I ought to be doing is making a family-sized pot of this Golden Turmeric Porridge (we could eat porridge any time – not just at breakfast). Instead, I am trying to pack for a trip home to Florida but failing miserably.
Gah, I hate packing. I’d rather go to the dentist than pack. But I love food, and we love finding yummy ways to get our favourite phytochemical (curcumin) in our daily diet. Curries are a bit more normal, of course, but why be normal? And why not have Prosecco at 4 pm? Okay, don’t answer that. 😉
Enjoy the rest of your Boxing Day. Not sure what Boxing Day is, britishfood.about.com has the answer.
Golden Turmeric Porridge
This immune-boosting, Ayurvedic-inspired porridge is based on my Spiced Golden Turmeric Milk of a couple of years’ back. If you want to know more about what turmeric can do for you, do have a read as I have included loads of historical, cultural and health information, as well as useful links to people that know more than me. Scale this up and you can also cook it in a slow-cooker overnight. Also, it is generally accepted that pre-soaking of oats to be cooked is not necessary for maximum mineral absorption. xx
120ml (1/2 cup) plant or dairy milk (not fat-free)
120ml (1/2 cup) water
½ tsp ground turmeric
1/8 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
3 grinds black pepper
3 pitted natural dates (medjool or deglet nour) OR honey/maple syrup to taste
45g (½ cup) porridge oats (numerous companies now have certified gluten-free oats, e.g. Nairns)
1 tbsp shelled hemp seeds or chia seeds
Toasted pecan nuts or other nuts and seeds that you fancy
1 tsp bee pollen – optional
Spiralised carrots – optional (adds lovely texture and natural sweetness)
Other optional add-ins: chaga or maca
Method:
1. If you are using the dates, blend them with the milk and water until smooth.
2. Simmer the milk and water very gently with the spices for five minutes. A gentle sustained heat, along with the piperine in the pepper and the fat in the milk, helps to activate the main phytochemical, curcumin, in the turmeric.
3. Add the oats and hemp seeds and stir occasionally until thickened to your liking – I do so for about five minutes.
4. Sweeten to taste if necessary, and serve topped with toasted nuts, bee pollen and the spiralized carrot.
Sounds delicious, Kellie. Safe travels and happy holidays.
Does turmeric have an acquired taste? I’ve always loved it in curries, but I’ve never thought of putting it in oatmeal!
I’m not too keen on the taste of turmeric, so if I add it to anything (smoothies, porridge, juice etc) I also add cinnamon to help mask the flavour. And cinnamon is also good for you! I have lots of nutrition / wellbeing bits and bobs on my blog, I would love for you to take a look!
http://brewsker.com
Turmeric is related to ginger so although it is normally associated with savoury foods it is perfect for sweet too. In the Indian subcontinent it is used in both ways. My golden turmeric milk (link in the post) is as sweet as you want it and a great way to have a daily drink that contributes to health. 🙂
Hi Kellie, I just bought some fresh turmeric, do you think it would work if I grated it into the porridge? Happy Holidays!
Yes I think this would work fine!
Great question – absolutely! I recommend dried as it is easy for most of us to get, and the dried form is more potent and more bio-available (with fat and black pepper/piperine as suggested), but fresh has a milder taste and may be better if one isn’t used to having turmeric in sweeter foods.
This looks fabulous! Those colors are fantastic 🙂
Thank you!
Fabulous porridge! Have a great trip xx
always so colorful and inspiring to mix up the old routine. happy holidays from back2spain!
Thanks so much, Caitlin. 🙂 I hope your holiday time has been fab. 🙂
Kellie, I really like the idea of this turmeric porridge, especially all the spices and the carrot and pecan topping. So basically, the whole meal. 😉 I hate packing too, so you’re not alone. Hope the trip over was quick and enjoy the time with your family!
Thanks Katie. After some delays with both flights, and an unexpected ESTA issue for the OH, we are here and up bright eyed and bushy tailed (until the 4 pm slump!). Hopefully we are visiting my sis at the beach today, where the temperature is expected to be in the mid-80s. A bit hot for even Florida at this time to year. 😉 After this trip I will definitely be back to the turmeric porridge and daily kale! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you are having a great break. 🙂
OOOOOh, love this, sweet and savory at the same time and immune boosting to boot! -Kat
Oh my goodness this recipe has taken my oat addiction to a new level- dangerous porridge junky!
Seriously good.
Thanks Juliet! Let me know if you try it 🙂
It has become my take to work breakfast over the last two weeks – like I said- addictive!
That’s great to hear! Hopefully it will ward off colds and coughs too. 😊
Thanks for the recipe inspiration. I’m recovering from a cold today and chanced upon your site. I made a quick version this morning using ingredients I had in the house (almond milk, chia seeds, oats, pepper, turmeric, pollen honey, raisins) and it was quite delicious and satisfying. Thanks!
I’m so glad you found it at the right time. I don’t know if you saw my spiced golden turmeric milk link, but that post has loads of information on turmeric if you are interested.
I don’t like the texture of porridge so I have 30 grams in a bowl with 8 chopped almonds, then put the milk in and eat straight away, would sprinkling a little turmeric on top work please ?
Hi June. You can do, of course. But to really absorb it the turmeric needs to be heated with the porridge. But adding black pepper and the fat from the almonds will really help, too.