Golden Spurtle Speciality Recipe: Lunch for a Fitness Studio
Today is World Porridge Day! We’re just back from competing in the Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship in the Scottish Highlands over the weekend. I’m delighted that I made it to the final round of six finalists (especially with my choice of fine oatmeal rather than pinhead), and it was so much fun making porridge in front of an audience! So, here’s my speciality recipe:
Lunch is an important meal in the fitness studio, not only for me, but also for my studio assistant, Coco the fitness pug. Keeping a pug slim is a full-time job, she loves to eat! I really enjoying sharing a meal with my bestie, and this pudding-like porridge creation is nutritious, delicious and dog-friendly. One portion for Coco, one for me. I’m often too hungry in the mornings to cook, but enjoy taking time out at lunch to stir and sup.
Hemp seeds are a great source of omega oils and protein, cranberries for antioxidants and cinnamon can help lower blood sugar. Coconut milk contains medium-chain fatty-acids and tastes delicious (or you can use single cream if you prefer), and oats of course are a powerhouse of energy and fibre.
Serves 1 hungry person and 1 small dog
50g fine Scottish oatmeal
450mL water
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 Tablespoon hulled hemp seeds
1 Tablespoon dried cranberries
Pinch sea salt, to taste
Toppings
1 dried sprat, for the dog porridge
1 Tablespoon hulled hemp seeds
1 teaspoon dried cranberries
1 teaspoon heather honey / dark brown sugar (for vegans)
75mL coconut milk, for floating
- Soak the first six ingredients in the porridge pot overnight, it’s not a drama if you don’t.
- Just before lunch, moisten a bowl and pop it in the fridge so it is very cold for serving.
- Bring the porridge pot to the boil and cook for 5 minutes, stirring in a clockwise direction continuously. It’s a great arm workout.
- Remove a few spoons of porridge for your canine companion, and pop in a dog bowl in the fridge to cool.
- Cook the remaining portion until extra thick and creamy. Add salt to taste.
- Remove chilled bowl from fridge and fill with porridge. You can then float the thickened porridge onto a layer of coconut milk, to create a floating island. Just pour the liquid down the side of the bowl. Very exciting.
- Sprinkle with remaining hemp seeds, cranberries and honey.
- For dog porridge, serve cooled, au naturel with a crunchy dried sprat to top. Enjoy!
