Caribbean Porridge with Fresh Strawberry Puree

          Porridge, we all know that it one of the healthiest breakfast around. Yes, yes, yes - I agree that oats is immensely rich fiber and all the other goodness but it gets monotonous to have the same breakfast every day.

          Something to satisfy the chocolate cravings with fruity additions, sweetened with intense earthy honey is definitely what I want for breakfast.

          As far as food is concerned, pleasant visuals gets a thumps up from me even before I taste it. I can see that I am getting a positive nod from anyone who is reading this, most of you would agree with me, isn't it???
     
         Caribbean porridge - the name itself sounds so exotic. It is from the cookbook by Levi Roots who is a "Reggae singer" and a "Celebrity Chef". His book "Caribbean Food made Easy" reflects soulful Caribbean cooking with traditional simple ingredients.
         Dotted with beautiful photographs of the  Caribbean islands, the people with their innocent smiles, breath taking landscapes, sandy white beaches, market scenes with all the bountiful produce on display and food stalls.

         The recipes are very simple resembling Indian cuisine in more ways than one.

        This porridge calls for exotic spices and mellow coconut milk which gives an absolute new flavour to this humble porridge. The recipe is adapted a little according to the ingredients in hand. The strawberry puree and the honey are extra additions suited for my taste.

For the porridge:
Rolled oats: 75 gms.
Water: 100 ml.
Bay leaf: 1.
Whole cloves: 2.
Cinnamon stick: 1 inch piece.
All spice berries : 6-8 [optional]
Thick coconut milk: 50 ml

1. Heat the water in a pan with the spices. Let it come to a boil.
2.Reduce the flame and add the oats.
3.Simmer and stir until cooked.
4.Remove from flame. Remove the spices with the help of a spoon.
5.Add the coconut milk and stir well. Keep warm until serving time.

Fresh Strawberry Puree:
Fresh strawberries: 2 handfuls.
Powdered sugar: 1 tbsp [optional]

1.Hull and wash the strawberries. Whizz along with the powdered sugar to a puree.

Serving the porridge:
Runny honey: 4-5 tbsp.
Chocolate bits: 1 tbsp.
Cooked porridge and strawberry puree.

1.Mix the porridge with around 3 tbsp of honey. In the serving bowl pour the cooked aromatic coconuty porridge until half full.
2.Top with a thick layer of strawberry puree.
3.Top with the remaining porridge.
4.Drizzle with 2 tbsp of strawberry puree and honey.
5.Garnish with chocolate bits.

Serve along with small glasses of strawberry puree, honey and a bowl of fresh strawberries. yum, yum, yum :)

Guys , believe me once you taste this porridge, you will not go back to "skipping breakfast" or "eating unhealthy breakfast" habits.... So lovely is the taste of this dish...

Go on... give it try:)


Sending it to Radhika's Scrumptious Breakfast
 

Enjoy....


Scribbled by Reva