Everyone knows the story about Goldilocks and the Three Bears. When my daughters were growing up, it was one of their favourite stories. One of their most requested breakfast choices was what I aptly named, “The Three Bear’s Porridge”. Whenever I made it for my little ones, I could be assured that it would be eaten eagerly and happily.

Fast forward to today, and we now have another little golden locks in our family who is not so easily persuaded to eat her breakfast. I decided to dig up my old recipe for “Three Bear’s Porridge” and modernize it a bit to include quinoa for that extra little hit of protein. I am happy to say our little “T-Bear” was quite enamoured with this special breakfast surprise and exclaimed that it was “just right!”  Try making this recipe for your little bear cubs.

T-BEAR’S THREE BEAR’S PORRIDGE – Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Refined Sugar-Free

CHEF TALK: This updated version of oatmeal porridge is sure to be a hit with all the bears in your family.  I prefer to add the cooked quinoa after the porridge has cooked since quinoa cooks at a different speed than quick oats. For dairy-free, substitute the whole milk for coconut milk or almond milk or any other dairy-free version.  For a gluten-free version, it is important to ensure that the oats are certified gluten-free on the package.  I buy Bob’s Red Mill Rolled oats.   This recipe is free of refined sugar.

Yield: This will feed three hungry bears (or 4 or 5 little people servings)

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 and one-half cups milk (whole milk, almond milk or coconut milk or water)
• 2/3 cup quick cooking oats
• 2 – 4 Tbsp. honey (the bear’s choice for sweetening)
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, or to taste
• ¼ – ½ cup Thompson raisins
• 1 medium apple, peeled, cored and diced into ¼” dice
• Pinch of nutmeg
• Pinch of salt
• ½ cup cooked quinoa

METHOD:

1. In a small saucepan, bring the whole milk (or milk of choice) to a simmer (bubbles starting to form). Watch carefully as milk easily burns. Alternatively, you can substitute water for the milk.

2. Microwave the diced apples for 1 minute to soften, if desired.

3. Add the remaining ingredients except for the cooked quinoa.

4. Cook over low to medium heat, while stirring, until the oatmeal has thickened. This will happen quite quickly.

5. Add the cooked quinoa and stir through to blend together. Serve with yogurt or milk.  Enjoy with your little bear cub.

T- BEAR’S THREE BEAR’S PORRIDGE

CHEF TIPS:

• I tend to make enough quinoa at one time to add to salads, soups, pilafs etc. and keep it in the freezer to have on hand for adding to other dishes.
• If you are using steel cut oats (rolled oats), cooking quinoa together with the oats works out very well. Substitute half of the oats for the quinoa and proceed with your oatmeal recipe.
• Substitute dried apples for the fresh apples in this recipe: dice 3 or 4 rings of dried apple slices into ¼ inch dice and combine with the ingredients when cooking the oatmeal.

MICROWAVE VARIATION: This recipe can be completely cooked in the microwave. Add all of the ingredients together except quinoa and cook according to microwave directions. (less than 5 minutes). Stir in the cooked quinoa and serve.

You might also Like these Gluten Free Breakfast Ideas:

 Sweet Potato Pancakes 

A Breakfast Frittata

Good Morning Cranberry Coconut and Carrot Muffins

‘Porridge again!’

‘Porridge and honey, better than money, everything’s funny, with porridge and honey!”

Author: Joe Abercrombie

Happy Porridge Making, everyone!

If you try my recipe for T-Bears Three Bears Porridge, please leave me a comment below with your feedback.

You can find me on social media (see links below) – just be sure to tag @urbnspice and #urbnspice so I am sure to see it. Enjoy! 

 

Denise Paré-Watson

The Urbnspice Chef

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