My Porridge is like wallpaper paste

ClubDead

As the title states, I've started having porridge for breakfast lately but mine is sticky, gummy.....wallpaper paste consistency

I've been following the following recipe: on the highest heat I bring equal quantities of oats to water/coconut milk (or just water) with a pinch of salt to the boil. Then I turn the heat down and simmer for a few minutes, stirring the whole time.

What am I doing wrong? any suggestions would be great

wersal gummage

One part water, one part milk, one part oats. Soak overnight in the fridge. Not sure about heating on highest heat, I personally use a medium high heat. Stir it until it's the consistency that you want, the longer you leave it the thicker it gets. If it gets too thick for you, just throw in an extra drop of milk and stir. I suspect most people then add something to flavour it, honey or maple syrup etc, seeds, nuts, dried fruit... Whatever you prefer

henryporter

It's always going to taste like that with water or even coconut milk. Almond milk makes pretty perfect porridge. (Soya milk too but it starts to get more tacky :-)) Also I use the Flahavans Organic oats which IMHO are the best.

spaceylou

I make mine 1 part oats: 2 part water. Don't bother soaking it over night as I am not that organised, heat it on high (although some cookers high/medium might be better) stirring once it starts to bubble.

The longer you cook it obviously the more liquid will evaporate off making it thicker but by the sounds of it you are starting with too little liquid.

Hope that helps. Weather is supposed to get cold by the end of the week and can't beat a nice hot breakfast!

Jambo

I make porridge for myself and children every day. (Skimmed Milk for myself, Full Fat for the kids)

I simply put a bowl on a digirl scales, weight out 40g of Flahvans Progress Oats , And 220g of my chosen milk, Pop in the microwave (900w) on full power for 2min 30sec and then leave sit for a minimum of a minute before stirring and serving.

I always end up with creamy soft porridge even in the skimmed milk batch.

Donal55

Half a mug of flahavans, 1 mug low fat milk, sprinkle of nutmeg or cinnamon. Some sultanas or cranberries. Left overnight in fridge.
Mid/high heat, continuous stirring.
Into bowl and cooled off with my benecol drink.
Yum.

Ruby31

Jambo wrote: »

I make porridge for myself and children every day. (Skimmed Milk for myself, Full Fat for the kids)

I simply put a bowl on a digirl scales, weight out 40g of Flahvans Progress Oats , And 220g of my chosen milk, Pop in the microwave (900w) on full power for 2min 30sec and then leave sit for a minimum of a minute before stirring and serving.

I always end up with creamy soft porridge even in the skimmed milk batch.

I do it this way too...yum!

mcbobbyb

Jambo wrote:

I simply put a bowl on a digirl scales, weight out 40g of Flahvans Progress Oats , And 220g of my chosen milk, Pop in the microwave (900w) on full power for 2min 30sec and then leave sit for a minimum of a minute before stirring and serving.

Jambo wrote:

I make porridge for myself and children every day. (Skimmed Milk for myself, Full Fat for the kids)

Jambo wrote:

I always end up with creamy soft porridge even in the skimmed milk batch.

+1 on this

Alun

I agree, two parts liquid (by volume), whatever takes your fancy, to one part of oats. 1:1 will result in stodge, any more liquid than 2:1 and you'll end up with porridge soup.

I don't see any point, or advantage, to soaking, and I do mine in the microwave in the bowl I'm going to be eating it from, 2mins on 750W, stir, 1min 20secs, ready.

ClubDead

I used to microwave but I find the oats don't really soften....the method I'm using now causes the oats to soften too much. Going to try just bring to the boil and not bother simmering, cheers thanks for the advice everyone

witchgirl26

I use Flahavans as well (tried others & just wasn't as nice). I use the quick oats & the scoop - 2 scoops of porridge & 3 of water (it says 4 but I find that too watery personally). Microwave for 2 mins on full. Sprinkle with homemade cinnamon sugar, mix around & leave to chill a min so it doesn't burn my mouth off. Always tastes good. A few raisins are nice too mixed in if you have/like them.

Maldesu

I'd usually weight out 40g and soak overnight in almond milk, around 300ml. Into the pot in the morning, slice in a banana and occasionally some honey, high heat to start it off, then turn it down while stirring until I get a nice consistency.

ellejay

Has to be Flahavans oats for me, I've tried three other brands and they gave me heartburn.

In a pyrex jug, add a third of a mug of oats.
Then add in milk so that it's three times the quantity of the oats.
Microwave for 4 mins.

As it cools, stir it to prevent it going sticky.
It'll thicken as it cools.
I like to add half a teaspoon of sugar.

Either add more liquid, or cook for less time. Or both.

vard

You could try a flavoured porridge mix like http://www.theproteinworks.com/protein-porridge

I use 1 part Flahavans oats to 3 parts milk, plus a handful of raisins. Microwave 3 mins.

phormium

ellejay wrote: »

Has to be Flahavans oats for me, I've tried three other brands and they gave me heartburn.

I read this comment months ago and thought how strange as porridge always give me very bad heartburn so much so that I stopped eating it. Only remembered this comment recently when I was shopping and bought a bag of Flahavans, I have now had porridge every morning this week with absolutely no heartburn so thank you

What on earth could the difference be between the brands that causes this? I really did not expect there to be a difference and was practically resigned to getting heartburn again when I started on Monday but absolutely no problem so continued for the week still expecting the usual discomfort but not a problem! It's great, I can have my yummy porridge for breakfast again

Forgot to go to shop for my free stuff though

Dizzyblonde

^This made me check my bag of oats. I usually buy oats purely for flapjacks, crumbles etc and like you have always gotten heartburn from porridge. However, recently I decided to see if I could eat it without getting heartburn and I've been fine!
When I looked just now, it's Flahavans I've been eating. I have no idea why it's not bothering me.

ellejay

I'm delighted to know I'm not the only one that got heartburn!!

I'm not prone to it, so I thought I was a weirdo for not being able to eat the other brands.

Tree

And for the heartburn-relieved, are ye all eating the same style of flahavans? (progress vs microwave etc) This heartburn thing is fascinating, and it'd be interesting to see if it's only manufacturer or specifc format.

(i eat flahavans microwave porridge *after* i take my proton-pump inhibitors, so i'm not a useful member of this study)

Alun

I was watching an episode of Food Unwrapped the other day where they were asking what the difference was between microwave oats and 'normal' ones, and went to visit a miller in Co. Waterford, which I'm pretty sure was Flahavans, to find out. It turns out the only difference is the degree to which it is milled, with the microwave version being milled more and therefore cooking more quickly. However, it is therefore also digested more quickly, so doesn't act so much as an energy store to see you through the day as the normal stuff.

So, I'm wondering whether the digestibility of the oats, due to the degree to which they're milled, is having an affect on the reflux symptoms some of you are experiencing?

Dizzyblonde

I use progress oats but cook my porridge in the microwave. I don't drink tea immediately afterwards because that used to be a factor too.

Like Tree I used to be on proton pump inhibitors. I had a gastric ulcer and am still prone to acidity, but I very rarely get heartburn even when I have hyperacidity. Porridge is pretty much the only thing guaranteed to cause it.

phormium

I have continued with my lovely Flahavans porridge over the weekend and today and still no heartburn, it's a miracle!

For the purposes of trying to get to the bottom of this strange conundrum of the different brands causing heartburn, my pattern has been I buy the bog standard bag of porridge and I have never made it in the microwave, I always make it in a saucepan.

I found too that tea afterwards exacerbated the problem in the past but again last week I tested that theory and tea after the flahavans is still not causing heartburn.

ellejay

I definitely don't buy the microwave oats I don't like the consistency.
I would have said I buy the "normal" or "original" oats but actually it says Progress oats on the bag.

I cook it in the microwave, full fat milk, 3 parts milk to oats.
I stir in half a teaspoon of sugar after it's heated.

Jawgap

My formula is simple enough.....

1 part oats
2.5 parts liquid (water, milk, cream or whatever)

Soak overnight, if possible.

Heat slowly to a simmer. Let simmer for a few minutes then remove from the heat while still quite loose, add dried fruit (usually cranberries and/or sultanas) and let stand for a few minutes to allow to cool slightly and for the oats and fruit to absorb the excess liquid.....

......occasionally a drop of Irish mist or syrup on top to undo all the healthiness!!

ellejay

Jawgap wrote: »

My formula is simple enough.....

......occasionally a drop of Irish mist or syrup on top to undo all the healthiness!!

Hmmm now you have me wondering if a drop of baileys would be nice!!!

Jawgap

ellejay wrote: »

Hmmm now you have me wondering if a drop of baileys would be nice!!!

Each to their own......but my [extensive ] experiments suggest that whiskey, brandy and Baileys are not great......ymmv

.....a touch of a fruit liqueur of your choice might go well.

I've also tried soaking the the sultanas in alcohol of various descriptions and the results have been 'variable.'

......on another note, anyone want to admit salting their porridge? My mother is from Belfast and likes a good dollop of salt in hers - tastes awful!!!!

Noveight

I see maple syrup mentioned here, love a good big spoon of it mixed in

Tree

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

I use progress oats but cook my porridge in the microwave. I don't drink tea immediately afterwards because that used to be a factor too.

Like Tree I used to be on proton pump inhibitors. I had a gastric ulcer and am still prone to acidity, but I very rarely get heartburn even when I have hyperacidity. Porridge is pretty much the only thing guaranteed to cause it.

phormium wrote: »

I have continued with my lovely Flahavans porridge over the weekend and today and still no heartburn, it's a miracle!

For the purposes of trying to get to the bottom of this strange conundrum of the different brands causing heartburn, my pattern has been I buy the bog standard bag of porridge and I have never made it in the microwave, I always make it in a saucepan.

I found too that tea afterwards exacerbated the problem in the past but again last week I tested that theory and tea after the flahavans is still not causing heartburn.

Well, at least it's the progress oats in common. I wonder are they milled differently to other brands' standard oats.

*dons scientist cap* of course, correlation may not imply causation, and this on the back of two cases...

Dizzyblonde

The strange thing is that I can eat oats in flapjacks, muesli, crumbles etc and it never gives me heartburn. You'd think it would be easier to digest cooked as porridge but it seems not.

phormium

They don't bother me in other things either, I don't make flapjacks or eat muesli but would use oats a lot in cookies, crumbles and even meat loaf without any heartburn and that would have been different brands.

Graces7

Irresistibly reminded of one episode of the BBC series "Colditz" where the POWs were secretly building a small plane... they needed "dope" to seal the wings and porridge is perfect .. the guards could not understand why all of them were crazy for porridge... and it does line the stomach wondrously..

Zebrano

I only have it occasionally and add cornflakes its the best

uck51js9zml2yt

I steep mine in hot water overnight.
It soaks up the water, expands and softens.

Add milk in the morning and microwave for 3 minutes

Kat1170

Jawgap wrote: »

......on another note, anyone want to admit salting their porridge? My mother is from Belfast and likes a good dollop of salt in hers - tastes awful!!!!

I don't actually put salt in mine, but I do like a knob of butter which gives a slightly salty taste to it. Butter is put on last so it melts over but doesn't disappear into the porridge.

fussyonion

I found the instant oats very gloopy and sticky and longed for the smooth porridge my Mam made when we were kids.

So I bought traditional porridge oats (Odlums, 500g pack, €1.49 in Tesco) and followed the instructions.
40g oats per person and 225ml water.

I decided to soak them overnight and had them this morning (soak the oats in a pot and in the morning just heat on the hob, stirring. Should only take a few mins).

Well, the difference!
Smooth porridge that is really easy to swallow as opposed to the gloopy sticky paste that I found with instant.

Try it...I now love porridge.

Graces7

fussyonion wrote: »

I found the instant oats very gloopy and sticky and longed for the smooth porridge my Mam made when we were kids.

So I bought traditional porridge oats (Odlums, 500g pack, €1.49 in Tesco) and followed the instructions.
40g oats per person and 225ml water.

I decided to soak them overnight and had them this morning (soak the oats in a pot and in the morning just heat on the hob, stirring. Should only take a few mins).

Well, the difference!
Smooth porridge that is really easy to swallow as opposed to the gloopy sticky paste that I found with instant.

Try it...I now love porridge.

Not sure I understand; are you meaning pinhead oatmeal as opposed to rolled oats? Or the yukky instant instant stuff even I would not go near? Thanks in advance.. I use tesco everyday at just over a euro a kilo.. rolled oats.

fussyonion

Graces7 wrote: »

Not sure I understand; are you meaning pinhead oatmeal as opposed to rolled oats? Or the yukky instant instant stuff even I would not go near? Thanks in advance.. I use tesco everyday at just over a euro a kilo.. rolled oats.

It's this one I'm using: http://imgur.com/dWKurLs

The ingredients list just says "100% wholegrain oats".

I had been using Flahavan Instant Oats but like I said, they were sticky and gloopy.

These Odlums oats are really nice.

Graces7

fussyonion wrote: »

It's this one I'm using: http://imgur.com/dWKurLs

The ingredients list just says "100% wholegrain oats".

I had been using Flahavan Instant Oats but like I said, they were sticky and gloopy.

These Odlums oats are really nice.

Thanks and yes, a huge difference..See

http://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-between-steel-cut-rolled-and-instant-oats-138355

BUT WATCH OUT FOR THE SUDDEN MUSAK!

The tesco ones I use are rolled oats.I did try instant once and only once.

Sometimes I simply add cold milk and eg sultanas to rolled oats and leave a few minutes.

Zelda247

The Flahavans Pinhead Oatmeal is delicious, really nutty.

Graces7

Zelda247 wrote: »

The Flahavans Pinhead Oatmeal is delicious, really nutty.

Only ever used it for parkin..

Spanish Eyes

I hope I am not alone here. But Kavanaghs ordinary porridge from Aldi is the best I've ever had to date.

I just do one part oats to two parts water. Stir. Into the micro for 2.40 mins (depends on the power, mine is 850).

Leave for a few seconds to settle, then top up with milk, honey whatever.

I really don't see the problem here, sorry folks. Trial and error I suppose.

elperello

ellejay wrote: »

Hmmm now you have me wondering if a drop of baileys would be nice!!!

I sometimes add a drop of cream if there is some left over in the fridge.
Around Christmas there was some cream with Baileys in it and I tried that on the porridge, lovely!

Kat1170

A spoonful of Vanilla Ice Cream in your porridge is delish'

gucci

Kat1170 wrote: »

A spoonful of Vanilla Ice Cream in your porridge is delish'

Haha, i have heard it all now! The mrs is going to get some suprise on Sunday morning when I am treating myself and her to this....I might even go full Affogatto on it and chuck in a dart of armaretto and an espresso into it too

Might not even bother with the porridge!