Chai Spiced Porridge with Salted Butter and Winter Fruit
Porridge is my specialty, if I do say so myself. This Chai-Spiced Porridge is a warm and fragrant breakfast made with wonderful masala spices. The recipe is designed to be flexible, so you can scale the serving up or down using simple ratios. If you have masala chai already made, you will use it as your porridge liquid. If not, you can simply combine a freshly brewed black tea with ground spices for a similar depth of flavor.
I call this porridge because I’ve spent much of the last few years in Ireland and the UK. But for those in the U.S., porridge is essentially the same as oatmeal — it’s a broad term that refers to any grain cooked in liquid to a creamy consistency. The base ratio for porridge is 1 part oats to 2 parts liquid (that can be water, milk, or a mix of both).
Enjoy <3
The Recipe
Chai Spiced Porridge with Salted Butter and Winter Fruit
Ingredients (per serving/person)
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup strongly brewed black tea OR 1 cup premade masala chai
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground ginger
Pinch of ground cloves
Pinch of salt
Honey, maple syrup, or sugar (to taste)
Milk (dairy or non dairy, added at the end as needed)
Freshly cracked black pepper
Salted Butter
Seasonal Fruit Toppings - like pear and blackberries
Method
If using premade chai…
Combine chai with rolled oats in a pot and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Stir occassionally, until the grains are tender and creamy, about 5 minutes.
If NOT using premade chai…
Steep a black tea bag (or loose-leaf tea) in boiling water for 3–5 minutes, then strain and pour the liquid into a pot with rolled oats. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until the oats are tender and creamy, about 5 minutes. Halfway through cooking, stir in the cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and salt. Add your sweetener of choice to taste.
Assembly
Ladle the porridge into bowls, then add a splash of milk for added creaminess. Top each servings with freshly cracked black pepper, a pat of butter, and sliced fresh fruit!