A healthy breakfast - Porridge with dates and pistachios

These past few weeks had been really hectic for me with some unexpected schedules and sickness in the family! Lil LM had a cough which persisted for days and finally we had to take her to Urgent Care. She is on anibiotics right now, and so I was kind of busy taking care of a irritable 3 yr old ;-). She is doing well now, back to her old self, playing and back to preschool!

I had a few recipes as drafts but didnt get a chance to post any! Since these days were really hectic, I know how much a quick and easy recipe would help the busy. So heres a quick breakfast for all those busy people out there!! This porridge is healthy and deeeeeelicious, with pureed dates and pistachios. It is very quick to put together and makes for a great breakfast for everyone! I used chopped pitted dates which made the recipe even simpler. I halved the recipe, but added about the same amount of milk as mentioned in the recipe because I like mine a little thin. Do try these out and let me know how it turned out for you!

As you all know, the second phase of voting for Santa's Holiday Challenge is going on strong! The poll will be open until Sunday, January 25. Please vote for your favorite recipes if you have not done that already! Thanks for the overwhelming support!

Recipe (Serves 4) :

Fresh dates - scant 2 cups
Rolled oats - 2 cups
Semi-skimmed (low-fat) milk - 2 cups
Water - 1 1/4 cups
Salt - a pinch
Pistachios - unsalted, shelled, roughly chopped, 1/2 cup

Method:

Halve the dates and remove the stones and stems.

Cover with boiling water and leave to soak for 30 minutes, until soft.

Strain reserving 6 tbsp of the water.

Remove the skin from the dates and place them in the food processor with the reserved soaking liquid.

Process to a smooth puree.

Place the oats in a pan with the milk, water and a pinch of salt.

Bring to boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 4-5 minutes until thick, creamy and thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently.

Ladle the porridge into serving bowls, top with a spoonful of the date puree and sprinkle with the roughly chopped pistachios.

Serve immediately while piping hot!

Source: Cook's Encyclopedia of Low Carb Cooking by Elaine Gardner.

Tips:

1. I halved the actual recipe to serve 2.
2. I used chopped dates available and then soaked it in boiling water for 30 minutes and then pureed it. I didnt puree it finely so that there would be tiny chunks of dates to bite into.
   

Wishing you all a great day and an awesome weekend ahead!