Now THIS is my idea of a heavenly breakfast. Savoury porridge with brussels sprouts!? If I could get away with eating this every morning, then I'd be pretty chuffed. But I must admit, I've never actually eaten this for breakfast because if anything is better than breakfast for breakfast, it's breakfast for dinner. We all know it's true.
So it's a weird concept, I get it, but this is so, so awesome. Cosy, creamy oatmeal but not at all sweet? It sounds so wrong but if you think about it, it's basically like a risotto, just using oats instead. Genius. It's comforting, super savoury and is ready in less than half an hour. Plus, it requires barely any ingredients and they're all likely to be things that you have on hand anyway, so you can make this at the drop of a hat. Like on those days when you look at your meal planner after work and it's a cold salad for dinner and you just can't. Eurgh, why do we even do that to ourselves?
But no matter! Because you can just raid your cupboards, make yourself a bowl of hot steaming goodness in the form of savoury porridge with brussels sprouts and settle in for some Netflix instead of going online to order an emergency takeaway. (That surely doesn't just happen in my house..?)
Speaking of Netflix, is anybody out there watching Better Call Saul?
Sidenote: I can't say that out loud anymore without cringing at my super British accent. My brother-in-law is American and loves his TV shows and once, we were discussing which shows we liked and I asked him if he'd seen bet-ter kawl sawl and he was like 'whaaaat?'
Anyhoo. I just can't get enough. I hate that it's like the only Netflix show that you actually have to wait a week to see the next episode of. I mean, I kind of love it, because it means that I can ration it out and not just binge on it. But it's just so good! I know that lots of people think it's really slow and gave up with it just a couple of episodes into season one but I love that! I love how it builds up really slowly and then bam! It gets amazingly exciting just like that. And come on, I love Jimmy McGill, but it's all about Mike, isn't it? Ah, those dead mackerel eyes. I can't wait to see Jimmy transition into Saul though. And I so hope Gus makes an appearance! Ok, I'll stop.
Shall we talk some more about this amazing bowlful? It really is the easiest dinner ever. It goes like this: chop and sauté a shallot > add oats > add stock > simmer > eat. And then you just need to slice up some brussels sprouts (or any greens you like!) and sauté them in some garlicky butter and pile them on top along with a runny yolked egg.
The egg, btw, is non-negotiable.
The bit where the golden yolk mixes in with the porridge? That is the best bit and it is liquid gold.
The bacon is totally optional but if you are anything like me then you believe that bacon makes (almost) everything better. But unlike the egg, I won't mind if you leave it out. Also - don't skip the nutmeg. It adds an aromatic sweetness, just a little additional depth of flavour, that really makes this.
This is one of those dinners that is almost too simple to be true. Believe me that just a few basic, inexpensive ingredients can combine to make something utterly delicious and soul-warming. That you simply must make!
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Savoury Porridge with Brussels Sprouts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon rapeseed or olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- ½ cup pinhead oatmeal, (steel-cut oats) rinsed
- 375 ml hot chicken or vegetable stock, (1 ½ cups)
- pinch of celery salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 250 g brussels sprouts, (½ pound) sliced
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- fried eggs, to serve
- smoked streaky bacon, optional
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a heavy based pan. Add the shallots and sauté until softened but not coloured. Add the oatmeal and stir for a minute or two to lightly toast the grains.1 tablespoon rapeseed or olive oil, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 shallots, ½ cup pinhead oatmeal
- Add the stock and bring to the boil. Once boiling, lower the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes until the oats are tender but still retain some bite. Season with the celery salt and nutmeg. Taste to check if you need anymore salt - this will depend on how salty your stock is - and season with pepper.375 ml hot chicken or vegetable stock, pinch of celery salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- Whilst the oats are cooking, sauté the brussels sprouts in the remaining tablespoon of butter, until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Towards the end of cooking, stir in the grated garlic clove. Season with salt.250 g brussels sprouts, 1 garlic clove
- Pour the oatmeal into bowls and top with the brussels sprouts. Top with a fried egg and bacon, if using.fried eggs, smoked streaky bacon
Notes
Nutrition
I can't get over that egg. It's a golden river of pure joy.
Nivaya says
This is my favourite comfort food, I've made it so often, it's always so good. I mean, weird, yes, but omgomg so very good.
You know in Mulan when Mushu gives her that oatmeal with a bacon and egg smiley face on it and shoves it all in her mouth? I know that's supposed to be congee, which I love a lot. But THIS is what I've always thought of it as being, this exact thing. Plus sprouts.
It's the best, thank you for posting it
Sasha says
This comment made me smile! Thank you, I'm glad you love the recipe!