How to make porridge quickly for hungry LOs?

[dairymoo]

I want to start doing a big pot of porridge every morning for breakfast but this morning it took about 15 mins all in all from waiting for it to come to a simmer, then 6-7 mins cooking, then waiting for it to cool down enough to be able to serve to my LOs.

Unfortunately, they normally demand breakfast as soon as we come downstairs so it's taking about 10 mins too long for my liking.

This morning was ok as my DH could entertain my DTs for a few mins but I think the screaming would have reached fever pitch if he hadn't been here.

Has anyone got any shortcuts? Can I make it the night before and reheat?

Oh and I'd rather avoid using the microwave if poss, but might consider if it's the only way to get the job done quicker.

use the ready brek milled oats for children, which you literally add milk to, mix and heat in microwave for 30 secs
No bother at all

looks like these packets

I use jumbo organic oats. One measure of oats, one and a half measures of milk, add in berries, raisins, etc if you like. Microwave for 3 mins, leave for another minute or so to settle. it's yummy!

Yes, I've bought Ready Brek before and have found it quicker but am I right in thinking that the actual oats (I just buy supermarket organic plain oats) are more nutritious as they are less refined? I might be talking complete nonsense though...{hmm}.

I believe you can do it overnight in the slow cooker - might that work?

erm, plenty of liqud and 3 mins on stove top stirring sorts my normal porrige out!

If you soak the oats and milk the night before they cook very quickly - I use really thick jumbo oats and they cook very fast if you do this. Also, if you chuck raisins in, they plump up too, which is much nicer.

You can chuck frozen fruit in when it's cooked, as well - cools it down quicker, and adds flavour.

why avoid the microwave?

brill for porridge

I never understand when people say it takes ages to cook as it takes me about 3 mins from start to finish - maybe I just cook it really badly I use normal, cheapo oats from the supermarket (the 30p a bag sort) then heat it on the hob at full blast and it only takes about 1-2 minutes to come to the boil. I then cook it pretty quickly whilst stirring the whole time (maybe you're supposed to gently simmer but I don't) and it's absorbed most of the milk in 1 minute max. To cool it quickly I just cook it quite dry (or don't put much milk in in the first place) and then add fridge-cold milk to make it runnier.

Think I might try soaking oats the night before and see if that helps, thanks for the tip Habbibu.

I have cooked it v quickly in the past (for a ravenous me!) but I do think that it gets a bit creamier if you cook it a little more slowly. But with hungry LOs, maybe I am setting my standards a bit too high .

And yes, limiting the amount of milk/water is also prob a good idea as the back of the packet always says WAAAAAAY too much for the right consistency IMO.

And I don't know why I avoid the microwave really, just my mum is always warning me not to stand in front of it and limit cooking in it if poss. I think for avoiding the microwaves that she thinks are deadly but I guess if I can soak the oats overnight then I can please us both?

And by microwaves - I mean the actual heatwaves....sorry, not a physicist, might not be making any sense .

Soaking oats definitely makes it creamier. I really wouldn't worry about microwave ovens. See here.

Cool - will have a read, thanks.