Once I consider porridge, my thoughts immediately drifts to my roommate from my first yr residing in Minneapolis. Whereas I’ve utterly modified my perspective on breakfast (I’m 1000% staff hearty breakfast now), on the time I used to be a continual breakfast skipper. My roommate and I might be doing the pre-work AM dance within the kitchen, getting our work luggage collectively and lunches packed. Whereas I used to be wonderful with my cup of morning tea, she was all the time cooking up a giant pot of oatmeal. Greater than as soon as, I assumed out loud how oatmeal was my least favourite breakfast. Being the morning particular person between the 2 of us, she would merely smile and diatribe about how a lot she beloved oatmeal. Properly, I’m right here to lastly say that I’ve come round to a comfortable bowl of grains within the morning, and I contemplate this my ode to our time as roommates.
Let’s begin by defining what a porridge is. Oatmeal is a kind of porridge, however porridge isn’t oatmeal, although they’re typically used interchangeably. Porridge is a heat, grain-based bowl, whose identify will depend upon the kind of grain getting used. It’s cozy, warming, and hearty, and could be topped with something your coronary heart wishes. On this model, I’m utilizing toasted amaranth, warming cardamom, and topping all of it off with some candy maple pears. Prepare to your new favourite winter breakfast.
Cardamom Pear Porridge Substances
The ingredient checklist for this porridge could be very easy, however to make sure it’s filled with taste, decide the very best quality elements you will discover.
Amaranth. You need to use your grain of alternative, however I really like amaranth’s candy, nutty taste.
Butter or oil. That is non-obligatory, but when I’m craving a richer porridge, I’ll toast my grains in a pat of butter or a bit olive oil.
Cardamom. My OG favourite spice. Floral and fragrant, it pairs superbly with the amaranth.
Cream or milk. Once more, relying on how wealthy you need your porridge, add milk or cream. Typically I’ll even do a mix!
Pears. You might additionally use apples, peaches in the summertime, figs, or no matter fruit you want.
Maple syrup. This helps add taste and caramelizes the fruit.
Brown sugar. This works with the maple syrup to convey a bit added sweetness to the fruit.
Salt. To assist stability the flavour and sweetness.
Toppings. That is the place we get to have enjoyable. Select what you like!

Preparation Ideas
- Excellent your grains-to-liquid ratio. I like my porridge a bit on the thinner aspect. I normally comply with a 1:2.5, and typically a 1:3 ratio of grains to liquid. Right here, I take advantage of a cup of amaranth to about 2-2.5 cups of milk/cream, and one other half-cup of water.
- Toast your grains first. To maximise taste, I toast my grains within the pot first with the cardamom to convey out that toasty and nutty taste.
- Let your liquid come to room temperature. Then, you’ll simply add your liquid. It helps if it’s at room temperature, however I’ve used milk straight from the fridge. Convey the porridge as much as a low boil. Cook dinner till the liquid has been decreased and the feel has thickened.
- Salt your porridge. Whereas it’d sound unusual, on condition that it is a candy breakfast recipe, salting your porridge ensures you get the very best taste attainable.
- Add your pears. I’ll add my maple syrup with a little bit of salt and brown sugar to the pot, maybe some spices if I like, and produce that as much as low/medium warmth. I add my pears in and allow them to prepare dinner till they simply begin to turn into tender. I desire my fruit to not be tremendous comfortable, however hold cooking till they attain your required texture. You may also add pecans or walnuts to get them good and caramelized.

Cardamom Pear Porridge Toppings
Porridge lends itself nicely to plenty of enjoyable combos of toppings. For this model, I wish to hold the flavors fairly easy and lean on hemp seeds, pecans, maybe a bit nut butter, and honey. In the summertime, I really like including brightness with jams, contemporary tropical fruits, coconut, and extra. You might additionally add a thick yogurt for additional protein, banana slices, or perhaps a little bit of chocolate when you needed to actually lean into indulgence.

Description
A straightforward and warming breakfast good any morning of the week.
- 1 tablespoon butter or oil (non-obligatory)
- 1 cup amaranth
- 1/2 teaspoon floor cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2–2 1/2 cups milk or cream of alternative (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup water (room temperature)
- 1–2 giant pears, sliced
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- pinch of salt
- toppings of alternative
- In a stovetop pot, add the butter if utilizing, and produce the pot to medium warmth. Add the amaranth, cardamom, and salt. Toast for a few minutes till aromatic. Add the milk and water. Convey the porridge as much as a low boil, stirring steadily, till the porridge has thickened, about 10-Quarter-hour.
- Whereas the porridge cooks, put together the pears. In a pan, add the maple syrup, brown sugar, and salt. Convey as much as a low/medium warmth. Add the pears and coat within the maple syrup. Cook dinner for a couple of minutes, stirring often to make sure the sugars don’t burn.
- To serve, add heat porridge to a bowl and prime with pears and extra desired toppings. Get pleasure from!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook dinner Time: 15
- Class: breakfast
Key phrases: porridge, oatmeal, amaranth