Savory Oats Porridge

SS is a kid at heart. No, I really mean it! I love it for the most part coz he is a gentle giant, but that also translates to having certain culinary likes and dislikes, sigh. Give him potatoes and rice any day, and he is a happy camper.

Gradually, he has changed to a considerably flexible eater though still not as easy-going as I am. Some of it has been by force, some by choice !! Though it has made me more relaxed, but has also forced me to be more innovative to find new ways to present stuff which will appeal to his eyes and taste buds. Hence, the loaded-with-veggies dishes that I make often to incorporate all the variety that I can for him! No complaints though, I am indulgent about it -- slow progress is still progress! :P

I often tell people I already have 2 kids -- SS and my brother AG, and these two I pamper the most. This recipe is the culmination of one such experiment; to try something non-sweet for breakfast, hoping it will appeal to both of them :)

Ingredients

Quick cooking oats - 1 cup (I used Saffola quick oats)

Onion - 1 medium

Tomatoes - 1 medium

Carrots - 0.25 cup

Peas - 0.25 cup

Green chilli - 1, finely diced

Water - 2.5 cup

Cumin Seeds (jeera) - 1 tsp

Turmeric - a pinch

Salt - to taste

Recipe

1. In a frying pan, heat some ghee. Fry some cumin seeds for a while.

2. Add onions and saute them till translucent. Do not turn them pink.

3. Add tomatoes, and fry them together till a little mushy. Add some salt to expedite the process.

4. Add peas, carrots and any other seasonal vegetables you would like to incorporate.

Fresh green peas are a delight to cook with :)

5. Cover and cook for 4-5 minutes till the vegetables turn soft.

6. Add oats, water, salt and turmeric. Bring to a boil.

7. Cover and cook for about 4 minutes or till oats cook. Make sure they do not stick to the bottom of the pan.

8. Add some more water and boil further if you would like a thinner consistency, else keep it as it is.

9. Voila! Savoury oats porridge ready!

Notes

Put in each and every vegetable you can lay your hands on -- with winters going on in India, it is a veritable wonderland of vegetables. It also makes for an extremely healthy and filling dish.

You can choose seasonings as per taste - oregano, thyme, Italian herbs, whatevers appeal to you and your family.

Oats are known to reduce cholesterol and are an extremely good source of slow digesting complex carbohydrates, which keep you fuller for longer. Combine them with vegetables and you have a power-packed meal - proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber!

This is also a very quick meal to prepare; as you would notice are most of the recipes on our blog!

How do you like your porridge? Savoury, sweet or both? Would you like to see more oats recipes? I would be very happy to hear from you!

Sending this recipe to Srivalli's event Come, join us for Breakfast ~ January Event Announcement! | Cooking 4 all Seasons. This will be my first blogging event!