Lactose-free Christmas porridge

I don't need any figgy pudding, really, but if I can wish for something on Christmas Day, it'll be a nice, leisurely breakfast. I won't bother with a turkey this year, so we can indulge in a long brunch, but how to give it the Christmas treatment? Eggs scrambled with mincemeat? I think not! Brussel sprouts on toast? No way! I say porridge is the way to go.
Although a breakfast staple where I live now, porridge is little known where I come from. We are only forced to eat it after recovering from a bad tummy bug, but would never think of eating it for breakfast day in, day out. Here in England, however, people even eat it at work, throwing a few spoonfuls of oats in a bowl, topping it with milk and giving it a good steam in the microwave... I've never really seen the attraction. It may be healthy, yes, but there are few foods that are good for you AND make you sing for joy!
And then my parents came over to visit - and on the very first morning politely refused any offers of Eggs Benedict, Omlette layer cakes, Salmon & caviar scrambled egg tartlets and other fancy creations... apparently they not only wanted something healthy and warming, but were into "five elements cooking" now. Quite how they explained it to me, I forget, but I found this interesting article on the net which explains some of the principles behind it. You are aiming to achieve a balance of either flavour (the five elements being sour, bitter, pungent, sweet and salty) or colour (green, red, yellow, white and black). My Mum was very particular not only about what ingredients went in the porridge, but also the order in which they were added.
Now, I have a bad memory and therefore twisted the recipe quite a bit... probably bringing the whole thing completely out of kilter - but this type of porridge has stayed with me since then and it has become a welcome and heart-warming addition to our breakfast table in the winter. I had never considered making porridge before given that I am avoiding dairy where I can - this version is perfect if you're lactose-intolerant, as it uses orange juice and water only, but you'd be surprised how creamy and smooth it is... you can always stir in some cream just before serving if that's your thing.
This recipe is really versatile as you can play around with whatever dried fruit and nuts take your fancy - for my Xmas porridge, I am using pecan nuts, cranberries, prunes and coconut as well as a touch of cinnamon - the result being a fruity and light, yet utterly moreish porridge for a breakfast treat that might just become your new Christmas tradition addiction!

Lactose-free Christmas porridge
(serves 3)

25 g (1 tbsp) butter
20 g (2 tbsp) dessicated coconut
80 g (8 tbsp) rolled oats (porridge oats)
1 pinch cinnamon
150 ml fresh orange juice
1 apple (peeled, cored and grated)
15 g (1 tbsp) chopped pecan nuts
5 g (1 tbsp) linseed
10 g (1 tbsp) raisins (chopped)
20 g (1 handful) dried cranberries (chopped)
3 semi-dry prunes (40 g) (sliced)
200 ml water

Melt the butter in a non-stick pot. Add the coconut and oats and fry for about 3 minutes, until fragrant.

Add the cinnamon and orange juice and cook until completely absorbed. Add the remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for another 15 minutes.
Serve immediately.

You can prepare the porridge in advance, in which case you would only add the grated apple and nuts when you're re-heating it in the morning.

Comments

[Enthusia]

I'm so glad you posted this--I love oats. Oats oats oats!

[Simonetta]

With or without milk, great post: yummy!

[Simonetta]

With or without milk, great post: yummy!

[Brilynn]

I'm getting things wrong all over the place today, on one blog I thought celery root puree was a tart, on another that white fudge was marshmallows, now I thought your porridge was risotto! In any case, it looks lovely!

[veron]

What an interesting concept... "five elements of cooking" ... sort of balancing of flavours i presume. Great hearty porridge especially for those cold winter mornings and hey if it's make ahead , I'm all for it :).

[Dianka]

This looks like the perfect Christmas breakfast! Love the addition of the coconut. Enjoy your holidays!

[Thomas]

Looks really good. BTW, hello from Seattle.

[coyote]

This looks amazing. Will have to try it.