Spiced Apple and Cranberry Porridge

Whether you are looking for a post-gym refuel, a sustaining breakfast which will stop you reaching for the biscuit tin or something to set the kids up for the school day, this beautifully sweet porridge will hit the spot.

With no added sugar, the porridge gains all its sweetness from the apple and cranberries. Soaking the dried cranberries before adding them to the porridge turns them into plump, soft little red jewels - much, much sweeter than when they are fresh. Adding grated apple adds more vitamins and fibre and turns this into a substantial and balanced breakfast bowl with two of your five a day.

I promise, neither you nor your loved ones will miss the sugar. Even my husband, who has the sweetest tooth of anyone I know, enjoys this without adding anything extra!

Method

Serves 1

Prep time: 0 mins Cooking time: 10 mins

Put the dried cranberries in a heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water.

Measure out the oats and put in a saucepan with your choice of milk, the cinnamon and salt. Heat gently, stirring every now and again so it doesn’t catch for 4 to 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, peel and grate the apple. When the porridge has thickened and is almost done, add in the apple and stir in for a few seconds. Remove the pan from the heat.

Drain the cranberries and add to the pan. Stir to into the porridge so they warmed through. The residual heat in the porridge will be enough here.

If you want to, add a drop more of your chosen milk.

Serve and eat whilst lovely and hot.

Ingredients

30g dried cranberries

40g rolled porridge oats

240ml semi-skimmed milk or plant based alternative

pinch of salt

1 tspn cinnamon

1 medium eating apple (gala works well)