January 23, 2009

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!

16 comments:

Finla said...

Hi hi Jz yoiu don't like legumes and I don't like porridge.
I know it is very healthy but i dislike with a passion.
My mom eatw them every morning and when i am home i am like bla i don't like it. And mom is liks you don't know what is good for you.

Dewi said...

Oh, I do like porridge for breakfast. Your recipe sounds delicious and healthy.
Cheers,
Elra

FH said...

Love my maple and brown sugar oatmeal in the morning. Dates and Pista makes it even tastier, good one! :))

Cham said...

I love salty version but not sweet looks like Payasam with nuts!

suvi said...

Don't the little ones just take the wind out of your sails when they fall ill like that!! Hugs to her :)

I like the idea of using dates in the porridge. Very healthy!

ranji said...

thats one healthy porridege JZ...looks good..feel like trying it out...so i will make this..i do not have dates but i do have some prunes left..guess that will work out equally good :)..hope ur little one feels better!!!

Dori said...

Healthy and filling, looks good!

Malar Gandhi said...

Porridge with pista, dates...who would'nt love it, great work! Interesting recipe...sounds healthy as well...

Laavanya said...

what a tasty breakfast that makes.

Ivy said...

I'd love to have this for breakfast, if only I had someone to make it for me :)

Anonymous said...

i hope ur princess is feeling better now.

I am not fond of porridge, but that pic with pistachios & dates looks really tempting:-) I would probably pick all the dates & nuts & leave the porridge:-D

Anonymous said...

Hi JZ, That looks like an easy, tasty and nutritious dish…the pureed dates sound so tempting. Gonna try it right away!

Archy said...

Love this any time of the day !!

Divya Kudua said...

Hey JZ...that is one healthy bowl of porridge I would love to grab!!I love my oats a bit thin too and am gonna follow your recipe to the T,for a date and pista flavoured one.Hope li'l one is doing fine now!!

Anupama said...

Hi JZ,
Porridge looks great. My son loves it for breakfast. I will make it your way next time.
Also wanted to say that you did the roundup of Santa's Holiday Challenge very professionally. I lke the pie charts very much . also happy to be in top 15. Thanks for a wonderful event.

Shreya said...

Looks so delicious, Really healthy. I too make this, and add honey and raisins for sweetness..