Mmmmm Muesli and Apple Juice Porridge

I'd like to thank my good friend Olivia Brine for inspiring me to use muesli instead of porridge oats for an alternative, and more exciting breakfast. Often, I add dried fruit anyway, but pre prepared muesli is so much easier. Adding apple juice instead of milk or water adds a sweetness to this porridge, and therefore there's no need to drizzle sugar or maple syrup on top - making it a lot healthier!

Ingredients (serves 1)

- 1 1/2 handfuls of muesli, preferably with lots of yummy dried bits

- 1 tbsp plain porridge oats

- 4 tbsp apple juice

- 3 tbsp milk or water (I use milk for a creamier taste, but this can be substituted for almond milk or soya milk)

- 1 tinned pear, chopped

- 1 tbsp desiccated coconut (optional)

- toppings of your desire

1. Firstly, add the apple juice and milk (or water) to your muesli oat mix. Add the apple juice first and then top it up with whatever you are using, so that the muesli is just covered. If you like your porridge runny, it's best to add more liquid.

2. Then add the chopped pear to the bowl and place it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring it a few times.

I like my porridge dry, so here's what it looks like.

3. Now for the best part! Choosing your toppings. I went for raisins, dates, apricots, linseeds and goats milk yoghurt. Feel free to go wild.

Apple, Cinnamon and Apricot Porridge with Soya Yoghurt and Blueberries

I can't get enough of this porridge!

Ingredients (for one)

- 40g plain porridge oats

- 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter

- 1 1/2 - 2 tsp dark brown sugar

- 1 apple, chopped into similar sized pieces (skin is optional)

- a handful of blueberries or chopped banana

- 4 apricots, chopped

- 1 - 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon (depending on taste)

- 2 tbsp water

- milk

1. Start by melting the butter in a saucepan, then add the chopped apple and cook for one minute. Put in both the sugar and cinnamon and stir continuously until the apples start to soften. If they are starting to burn, add a little water.

2. Pour in the porridge oats, water, and cover them with milk. Keep stirring and adding milk (if needed), until the porridge oats are fully cooked and at your desired consistency. Then add the chopped apricots and stir a final time.

3. Finish it off with a spoon of yoghurt (and 1/2 tsp brown sugar if you've got a sweet tooth), a sprinkle of cinnamon, and any desired fruit.

Apple and Cinnamon Overnight Oats with Vanilla Yoghurt, Goji Berries and Apricots

Ingredients (breakfast for one - fills a medium jam jar)

- 1/3 plain porridge oats

- 1 large tbsp flaxseed (find my recipe a few posts down)

- 2 tbsp vanilla yoghurt 

- 2 apricots, chopped

- 1 very small apple (or half a medium apple), grated

- 1 tsp flaked almonds

- 1 tsp sunflower seeds

- 1 tsp pumpkin seeds

- 1 tbsp goji berries

- 1 tsp raisins or sultanas

- 1 tsp linseeds

water (about 1-2 tbsp)

- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

- 1-2 tsp golden syrup or jam

Overnight oats is so simple and delicious, I'd eat it every morning if I could. I have continued to experimented with this apple version, and I think I've hit the jackpot! All the seeds and currents add extra flavour and texture, the goji berries are also a great addition as they absorb the water, soften and become super juicy.

1. Place everything apart from the water into a suitable jam jar, and stir the mixture with a spoon. Depending on the size of the jar, you may have to reduce the quantities of seeds or berries.

2. Once the mixture gets too thick, gradually add some water, a little at a time until it resembles rice pudding.

3. Place the jar in the fridge overnight or for a couple of hours before eating, drizzle with extra golden syrup to make it sweeter.

http://instagram.com/p/eHZxiMOkh0/

Strawberry Overnight Oats with Homemade Goji Berry Flaxseed

Ingredients (for one)

- 1/3 porridge oats, roughly 30g

- 1 tbsp homemade goji berry flaxseed (see post below for recipe)

- 2 tsp flaked almonds

- 1 tbsp plain (with 1 tsp honey or golden syrup) or fruit yoghurt, I used Cranberry Activia

- 5 strawberries, chopped

- milk

1. Add all the ingredients apart from the milk to a suitable jar or glass.

2. Pour in 2 tbsp milk and stir everything thoroughly. The consistency should resemble risotto.

3. Place the glass in the fridge covered with cling film and leave overnight or for a couple of hours.

3. Eat in the morning straight from the glass!

http://instagram.com/p/bTqfSkukrN/

Raspberry and Blueberry Overnight Oats Layered with Yoghurt and Banana

 

Ingredients (serves one)

for the overnight oats - 

- 1/3 plain porridge oats

- 1 tbsp flaxseed (optional)

- 1 tbsp ground almonds (optional)

- 1 tbsp yoghurt

- 3 tbsp water

- 2/3 tbsp milk

- 1 tsp linseeds

- 1 tsp flaked almonds

- a pinch of walnuts

- 6 fresh or frozen raspberries

- 6 fresh or frozen blueberries

- 1 tsp golden syrup

for the topping -

- 1 banana, chopped

- 2 tbsp yoghurt

1. Place all the dry ingredients into a jam jar, then pour in the yoghurt, water and milk. Mix thoroughly with a spoon and put in the fridge overnight.

2. In the morning, layer up the overnight oats with banana and yoghurt.

http://instagram.com/p/Z46DiHOkkD/

Raspberry and Blueberry Overnight Oats

Preparing your jar the night before means you can have a relaxed, no faff breakfast. You can eat it cold straight form the jar or place the mixture in a bowl and heat it up in the microwave.

Ingredients (serves one, fills a small jam jar)

1/3 plain porridge oats

1 tbsp flaxseed (optional)

1 tsp flaked almonds

1 tsp linseeds

1 tbsp plain or fruity yoghurt

5 frozen or fresh raspberries

10 frozen or fresh blueberries

1 tsbp golden syrup

3 tbsp water

2/3 tbsp milk

1. Mix all the ingredients into a suitable jam jar.

2. Place the jar in the fridge for a couple of hours, or overnight. 

It should look something like this...

http://instagram.com/p/Z2qWGNOkvQ/

Prune Overnight Oats

If you'd prefer to try the cold version of my prune porridge, try this! Unfortunately, I had run out of flax seed, so this can be made with or without it.

Ingredients (fills one jam jar, serves one)

for the overnight oats -

1/3 plain porridge oats

1 tbsp flax seed (optional)

1 tsp flaked almonds

1 tsp linseeds

1 1/2 tbsp plain yoghurt

4 tinned prunes and 3 tbsp juice from the tin

2 tbsp water

the rest milk (roughly 2-4 tbsp)

for the layered glass -

1 banana

2 tbsp yoghurt

1. Place all these ingredients, apart from the milk in a suitable jam jar. Mix thoroughly, mashing up the prunes, and gradually add the milk until a slightly running consistency occurs.

2. Put the jar in the fridge overnight or for a couple of hours.

3. Remove the jar from the fridge and pick a suitable glass to do the layering. Spoon one heaped tbsp of porridge into the glass, followed by chopped banana and a spoon of yoghurt. Continue this a few times to produce a glass of goodness to wake you up in the morning.

Delicious Prune Porridge

Tinned prunes are the best, and can be used in a large array of dishes. This is an easy porridge recipe that will cost no more than 50p per helping, and does not contain any sugar! 

Ingredients (serves one)

40g plain porridge oats

4 tbsp tinned prune juice

2 tbsp water

the rest milk (to just cover the oats)

5 tinned prunes and a little more prune juice

2 tbsp yoghurt

1. Place the porridge oats, water and prune juice in a bowl, then gradually add the milk until it just covers the oats. Add more milk if you like your porridge runny.

2. Put the bowl in the microwave, or pour it into a saucepan on the hob, and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring half way. 

3. When the porridge is ready, remove it from the microwave and add the yoghurt and prunes - simple. No need for sugar or sweetener, as the prunes and juice contain lots of natural goodness.

Raspberry and Fig Overnight Oats

Ingredients (fills one jam jar, serves one)

1/3 plain porridge oats

1 tbsp flaxseed

1 tbsp ground almonds

1 1/2 tbsp yoghurt

3 tbsp water

2 tbsp milk

1 tsp linseeds

1 tsp flaked almonds

1 fresh fig, skin removed and chopped into 4

6 fresh or frozen raspberries

1 tsp raspberry or blackberry jam

a drizzle of golden syrup to serve

1. Place all the dry ingredients into a jam jar, then pour in the yoghurt, water and milk. Mix thoroughly with a spoon so it resembles something like this. 

2. Place the jar in the fridge overnight or for a couple of hours. If you're in a hurry, eat it straight out of the jar in the morning, or spoon it into a bowl, decorating it with banana and golden syrup.

YUM!

Grated Apple, Dried Apricot, Raisin Overnight Oats Layered with Yoghurt and Chopped Banana

Ingredients (for one)

for the overnight oats (fills a small jam jar) -

1/3 plain porridge oats

1 tbsp flaxseed

1 tsp almond flakes

5 dried apricots, roughly chopped

2 tsp raisins

half an apple, grated

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp linseeds

1 tbsp yoguhrt

1 tsp golden syrup or honey

2 tbsp water

2-4 tbsp milk

for the prepared breakfast -

pre-made overnight oats

2 tbsp plain or vanilla yoghurt

1/2 banana

cinnamon to sprinkle

1. Place all the ingredients for the overnight oats in a small jam jar and mix thoroughly before placing in the fridge overnight or for a couple of house.

2. When the overnight oats has done its magic, start to layer it up in a glass. Start with 1 large tbsp of porridge, then 1 tbsp yoghurt, then a few slices of banana. Continue this until the glass is full, and sprinkle some cinnamon on the top to decorate. 

The glass I used was a little small, so you can either make two or use a bigger glass. 

Grated Apple, Peanut Butter and Cinnamon Overnight Oats

Ingredients (fills one jam jar) 

1/3 plain porridge oats

1 tbsp ground flaxseed

1 tbsp ground almonds

1 tbsp plain yoghurt

1/2 apple, grated

1 tsp peanut butter

1 tsp almond flakes

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp honey or golden syrup

2 tbsp water

2-4 tbsp milk

1. Add all the ingredients to a jam jar apart from the milk, and mix with a spoon. 

2. Gradually pour in the milk a tablespoon at a time. Until a slightly runny consistency occurs. 

3. Place in the fridge overnight and eat in the morning drizzled with honey/golden syrup and yoghurt. An easy morning boost!

Apple, Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Porridge

Ingredients (serves one)

40g plain porridge oats

1/2 tbsp unsalted butter

1 1/2 tsp dark brown sugar

1/2 an apple, chopped into similar sized pieces

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

milk

1. Start by melting the butter in a saucepan, then add the chopped apple and cook for one minute. Put in both the sugar and cinnamon and stir continuously until the apples start to soften.

2. Pour in the porridge oats and cover them with milk. Keep stirring and adding milk (if needed), until the porridge oats are fully cooked. 

3. Finish off with a spoon of yoghurt and 1/2 tsp brown sugar.

http://instagram.com/p/YXINuXOkiZ/

Raspberry Overnight Oats with Banana, Spinach and Apple Juice Smoothie

Ingredients for the overnight oats (fills one jam jar)

1/3 plain porridge oats

1 tbsp ground flaxseed

1 tbsp ground almonds

1 tsp almond flakes

1 tsp golden linseeds

1 tbsp plain yoghurt

2 tbsp water

8 raspberries (fresh or frozen)

1 tsp raspberry, blackberry or strawberry jam

roughly 2-3 tbsp milk

1. Add all the ingredients to a jam jar and mix thoroughly. Place in the fridge overnight for an easy and delicious breakfast.

Scroll down to the next post to see the smoothie recipe.

Apple, Raisin, and Cinnamon Overnight Oats

Ingredients (serves one, fills a jam jar)

1/3 plain porridge oats

1 tbsp flaxseed

1 tbp ground almonds

a handful of raisins

half an apple, grated

1 tbsp apple juice (optional)

1 tsp cinnamon

                               a few walnuts

                                2 tbsp water

                              2 tbsp yoghurt

                                    1/4 milk

1. Add all the ingredients to a jam jar apart from the milk, and mix with a spoon. 

2. Gradually pour in the milk a tablespoon at a time. Until a slightly runny consistency occurs. 

3. Place in the fridge overnight and eat in the morning with slices of banana. 

Raspberry and Peach Syrup Overnight Oats

Ingredients (fills one jam jar)

1/3 plain porridge oats

1 tbsp ground flaxseed

1 tbsp ground almonds

1 tsp almond flakes

1 tsp golden linseeds

1/4 plain yoghurt
1 tsp golden syrup or honey

4 tbsp peach syrup (from tinned peaches)

8 raspberries

1/3 milk

1. Mix all the ingredients in a jam jar except for the milk.

2. Gradually add the milk until a slightly runny consistency forms.

3. Leave overnight in the fridge to produce the most delicious cold porridge.