Oatmeal Porridge 4 Different Ways

"You have to eat oatmeal or you'll dry up. Anybody knows that."

-- Kay Thompson

These recipes came about after playing the first hour of the new game, Tales of Arise from Bandai Namco. In that first hour, your team learns their first recipe, and it's one of the easiest things to make in-game and IRL; Porridge! It looks like oatmeal porridge to me, so I decided to celebrate the release of the game by showing you guys a super easy and super basic version of oatmeal porridge. No, stove and no sweetener if you don't want it! Pop the basic version into the microwave for only a minute and bing, bang, boom, breakfast is served.

The others take slightly more time, but are so worth the extra 5-10 minutes you'll spend on them.

The proportions of some of the ingredients aren't labelled because so many of them are strictly to taste; want more almonds, add more. Want less milk, add less. These recipes are very customizable, so keep your options open and you imagination free.

Happy eating!

Ingredients:

Standard Oatmeal Porridge:

1/2 cup (74g) - Quick Cook Oats

1/4 tsp - Ground Cinnamon

Water (just enough to cover the oats)

1/4 - 1/2 cup (60g - 115g) - Almond Milk

Peaches N' Cream:

1 cup (215g) - Water

1/2 cup (74g) - Quick Cook Oats

1-2 dashes - Ground Nutmeg

1/4 tsp - Ground Cinnamon

1/4 - 1/2 cup (60g - 115g) - Almond Milk

Trail Mix:

1 cup (215g) - Water

1/2 cup (74g) - Quick Cook Oats

Dried Apricots (to taste)

Dried Cranberries (to taste)

Sliced Almonds (to taste)

1/4 cup (24g) - Shredded Coconut

Maple Syrup (to taste)

1/4 - 1/2 cup (60g - 115g) - Almond Milk

Optional:

Pumpkin Seeds (as garnish)

Apple Pie:

1-2 Gala Apples (or your choice - peeled and cubed)

1/2 tbsp - Butter (vegan works perfectly)

1 tbsp - Sugar

1 tsp - Ground Cinnamon

Zest of 1/2 Lemon

1 cup - Water

1/2 cup (74g) - Quick Cook Oats

1 Gala Apple (or your choice - peeled and cubed)

1/4 tsp - Ground Cinnamon Sweetener (to taste)

1/4 - 1/2 cup (60g - 115g) - Almond Milk

Directions:

1. For the basic version, place your oats, cinnamon and water in a microwave-safe bowl. Mix to combine.

2. Place in the microwave for 1 minute.

3. Take out and serve or add milk to loosen the consistency.

4. For the apple pie filling: melt the butter in a pan on medium heat.

5. Add the apple cubes and stir until all the apples are coated. Allow the apples to heat through for 2-3 minutes.

6. Add in the sugar, ground cinnamon and lemon zest and mix. Cover the pan and allow to continue cooking for 7-8 minutes on medium to low heat.

7. Turn off the heat and set aside to cool or serve with oatmeal right away.

8. For the oatmeal portion of the Apple Pie, Peaches n' Cream and Trail Mix versions, add your water to a pot and turn to medium heat.

9. Once the water begins to simmer, add the oats and mix.

10. Add in the other ingredients, but not the milk. Continue stirring occasionally for 2-3 minutes.

11. Add the desired amount of milk and serve.