Porridge stands as the ultimate breakfast champion, delivering complex carbohydrates and high fibre that provide sustained energy release, keeping you fuelled and focused throughout the morning while eliminating those pesky mid-morning snack cravings.
The Nutritional Powerhouse
This humble dish naturally supports heart health by helping to lower cholesterol levels and aids digestion through its fibre content. The real beauty of porridge lies in its incredible versatility – whether you prefer a savoury version with avocado or a classic sweet bowl topped with honey, bananas, and fresh berries.
The Texture Challenge
However, achieving the perfect texture proves deceptively challenging. Nobody wants thin, watery porridge riddled with lumps, nor that unpleasant claggy consistency that sticks to your ribs. The ideal porridge should be luxuriously creamy and velvety smooth.
Sophie Law, deputy editor of Spare Time, understands this struggle intimately. "No matter how carefully I measured the oats or how long I stirred, my homemade porridge just never matched that perfect, velvety consistency," she confessed.
The Pret A Manger Inspiration
Sophie became determined to recreate the porridge she regularly enjoyed from Pret A Manger. "Deliciously creamy with the perfect consistency, it sent me down a bit of a rabbit hole to figure out why it tastes so good," she explained.
The high street chain had generously shared their recipe on social media, prompting Sophie to test it in her own kitchen. She discovered this approach has completely transformed her breakfast routine for the better.
The Secret Technique
Pret's version doesn't rely on fancy additions like cream or honey to achieve that luscious texture. Instead, the secret lies entirely in the cooking technique. When you select premium jumbo oats and cook them slowly and carefully, the natural creaminess emerges as the starch transforms the liquid into a velvety, almost custard-like consistency.
Pret A Manger's Creamy Porridge Recipe
Ingredients
- 180g whole milk
- 140g water
- 50g rolled oats
Method
- Place your oats and cold water into a saucepan. Give them a thorough stir before switching on the hob – this crucial step prevents the oats from forming lumps.
- Bring the water up to a gentle simmer, avoiding a vigorous boil. Excessive heat applied too quickly can lead to uneven breakdown of the oats or cause them to stick to the pan's base.
- Let it simmer for two to three minutes, stirring regularly, until the mixture begins to thicken and the oats start to soften.
- Add the milk and stir thoroughly, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pan to release any oats that may have begun sticking.
- Keep simmering gently on a low heat for roughly five to ten minutes, stirring often. You'll observe the texture transforming gradually.
- The oats will become fully plumped, the liquid will develop a silky quality, and the entire mixture will acquire a glossy, creamy consistency.
- Complete your porridge by adding your preferred topping. Sophie's personal choice is honey or soft brown sugar.
Topping Suggestions
Alternatively, you can opt for various delicious additions:
- Jam or fruit compote
- Peanut butter or other nut butters
- Nuts and seeds for crunch
- Granola for texture contrast
- Fresh fruit and berries
With just three simple ingredients – water, milk, and oats – and the right technique, you can create restaurant-quality porridge at home that rivals your favourite café version.
