Golden Milk Porridge

This is one of my favorite comforting, nutritive and anti-inflammatory breakfasts (or desserts!). I love Golden Milk as a hot drink and this recipe came about because all of those ingredients sounded delicious to add to a dessert but I wanted to create something healthier....enter oatmeal! I have all of the toppings in jars within easy reach in the kitchen and slow cook the Oatmeal with the spices. It’s so warming and filling and full of protein to give me energy for times when I am doing work outside in the cold all day. The base of this dish, Oatmeal, is full of nutrients, lowers blood pressure, soothes digestive tissues and even helps to promote healthy gut flora. The anti-inflammatory cur cumin in the turmeric along with the black pepper and healthy fat from the ghee and nuts is a powerhouse combo for combatting joint inflammation and other aches and pains that come along with winter garden and barn chores.

The carminative spices like Cardamom and Cinnamon kickstart digestion. Ginger is added to warm up the belly and promote circulatory stimulation. Walnuts are brain food and add some nourishing protein and healthy fats to the dish. The dried fruit provides anti-oxidants and fiber and some delicious natural sweetness.

The overall energy of the dish is rather balanced and warming. The oatmeal is moistening and the cinnamon is a nice demulcent as are the healthy fats that all help to balance the dryness of the Turmeric and Ginger. Cardamom has mixed energy and Turmeric is a warming bitter. The addition of some fresh grated ginger will warm this dish up right at the end.

You can adjust this recipe to be a bit more adaptogenic by adding powdered Maca or Ashwaghandha or choosing adaptogen herbs for your tea base.

A bit of protein powder makes this a perfect breakfast for chilly winter days when you need good nutrition to help you power through big projects.

Ingredients:

1 cup Oatmeal

1/2 cup Milk (Dairy, Coconut or Oat are my favorite)

1/2 cup Licorice tea (or other leftover tea or infusion, Ginger, Cinnamon, Ashwagandha and Reishi are some I’ve used)
1/2 TSP Cinnamon

1/4 TSP Cardamom

1/4 TSP powdered Turmeric
1/4 TSP powdered Ginger

Sprinkle of black pepper

Pinch of sea salt

2 TBS of golden raisins

2 TBS of chopped dried dates

2 TBS of chopped walnuts (or other nuts or seeds)

2 TBS of unsweetened Coconut flakes

Maple Syrup to taste (or honey, just don't cook it)

1 TBS Ghee (or butter or coconut oil)

More milk to swirl in at the end

Garnish with fresh grated ginger

Optional: half scoop of high quality vanilla protein powder (omit the sweeteners if your protein is sweetened already)

Directions:

-Slow cook the oatmeal with the tea and milk. Add protein powder and dried powdered herbs to taste and a pinch of salt. Simmer, stirring continuously until oats are soft and the consistency you like.

-Add the golden raisins and dates and coconut flakes and continue cooking several minutes until fruit is soft and rehydrated.

-Stir in Maple Syrup to taste

-Spoon into a dish and top with a dollop of Ghee, additional Maple syrup and chopped nuts.

-Drizzle more milk over top as needed.