Comforting Apple Porridge

For cooking on the stove:

1. In a small saucepan, add the oats, water, milk, sliced dates and cinnamon over medium heat.
2. Cook the porridge on a steady simmer for 5 to 6 minutes. Stir often to create a smooth and creamy mixture.
3. While the porridge is cooking, on a chopping board cut slices from one side of the apple (reserve for garnish), then grate the rest of the apple. Chop walnuts to desired size.
4. Add the grated apple and walnuts to the saucepan and stir for 1-2 minutes.
5. Serve the porridge into 2 bowls, top with sliced apple and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

For cooking in the microwave:

1. In a microwave safe container, mix together the oats, dates, cinnamon, and half the water and milk.
2. On a chopping board cut slices from one side of the apple (reserve for garnish), then grate the rest of the apple. Chop walnuts to desired size.
3. Cook the porridge in the microwave for 1 minute and stir. Repeat this 3 times before adding the grated apple and walnuts, then repeat the process for 2 more minutes.
4. Serve the porridge into 2 bowls, top with sliced apple and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

• Add extra milk or water to loosen the porridge so it’s not too thick and ‘gooey’.
• Substitute the apple with pear and the dates with sultanas.
• *If using non-dairy milk, look for varieties with added calcium.

Nutrition information (per serve), based on using 1.5% fat dairy milk:

• Energy (1346.5 kJ)
• Protein (12.3 g)
• Total Fat (9.7 g)
• Saturated Fat (2.4 g)
• Carbohydrate (43.4 g), (Starch (22.1 g), Sugars (21.3 g), Added sugars (0 g), Free Sugars (0 g))
• Dietary Fibre (6.7 g)
• Sodium (64.8 mg)
• Calcium (183.4 mg)
• Iron (1.9 mg)