Nothing says winter quite like a bowl of steaming hot porridge. And nothing cures the winter blues like a bowl of steaming hot chocolate porridge! This version is every bit as nourishing as your regular oats, with an extra kick of chocolate flavour and beautiful rich colour. I’ve kept the sweetness to a minimum so it won’t overwhelm you, this is breakfast after all and not dessert.

Cooking porridge with milk instead of water makes it more filling thanks to the protein and small amount of fat. It also gives you a boost of calcium and other minerals. You can use any type of milk or even water without changing the recipe quantities. If you prefer to make porridge with water, I suggest serving it with some natural or Greek yoghurt.

Porridge doesn’t keep very well, so if you need to make a single serve, just halve the ingredients and use a small saucepan.

Chocolate Porridge

Ingredients

Serves 2

1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup skim milk (or any milk or water)
1 small very ripe banana
1 heaped tspn cacao or cocoa powder
1/2 tspn cinnamon
2 tspns honey
Chopped fruit and shaved coconut chips, to serve

How to

1. Add the rolled oats, milk and banana to a small saucepan. Gently bring to the boil on a low-medium heat, stirring regularly.
2. It should take about 5 minutes to come to a light boil.
3. Add the cacao and cinnamon, and continue to stir for another 2 minutes of cooking.
4. Remove from the heat and taste. Add the honey if needed.
5. Serve with fruit and coconut chips.

SERVE SIZE TIP: 1/4 cup raw rolled oats is a serve of grains. This should be enough for most people as porridge is surprisingly filling. The cooked portion does look small but try it first and then see if you need more. Some extra yoghurt and a piece of fruit should do the trick. If you’re very active and you need your 6 serves of grains throughout the day, then buy all means, eat the double batch!

Sarah Moore is a mum, and university qualified Registered Nutritionist. She has 10 years’ experience working with families to improve their health and well being. Sarah has a simplistic and practical approach to family nutrition and wants you to know that activated unicorn berries are not the answer to your health and wellness. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram for more healthy tips and tricks.