Today we’re doing something a little different. I’ve got a recipe for you – this creamy, comforting bowl of porridge jazzed up with mapled pears, spice and pecans to warm your autumn mornings – but there’s a little something extra on offer, too. I don’t own much in the way of ceramics. so the eagle-eyed amongst you might have noticed that these rather charming breakfast bowls are new. New to me and potentially to you to as I’m offering one reader the chance to win a set, plus a copy of my book. It’s not often you see a sponsored or branded post in this space, but these gorgeous bowls come from a company called Loaf and with a name like that I simply couldn’t resist.
I first discovered Loaf.com when we were hunting for a new bed. I’m a sucker for beautiful catalogues and their rustic, whitewashed countryside aesthetic is something I aspire to from the sofa of our little London flat. Beyond furniture, they also do a lovely line of mugs, bowls, plates and other kitchen accessories and were kind enough to gift this little loaf a set of Wobbler ceramic bowls and plates. The Wobbler range is hand made in Portugal meaning no two bowls are exactly the same. There’s a lovely natural feel to them which fits in comfortably with my homemade tendencies, but from a practical point of view you can still stack or stick them in the dishwasher. They’re a little on the small side for soup, but perfect for porridge and other breakfast bowls (or a greedy serve of ice cream at any time of day).
With Christmas just around the corner, Loaf are offering one lucky reader the chance to win a set of these ceramic cereal bowls in white (as pictured here) or jade. The winner will also receive a signed copy of my cookbook, Homemade Memories, which is filled with all sorts of delicious things you can serve in a bowl – Blueberry, Almond and Plum Crumble, Coconut Brown Rice Pudding, Fig & Hazelnut Bread & Butter Pudding plus a whole chapter on ice cream . . .
To be in with a chance of winning, simply tell me your favourite porridge topping in the comments below. For a bonus entry, post a photo of your favourite breakfast bowl on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram tagging it with #LoafBrekkie. The competition closes on Sunday 22ndNovember and I’ll announce the winner on Monday 23rd.
- 1 large pear
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 100g rolled oats
- 300ml whole milk
- ¼ tsp vanilla powder
- ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp ground cardamom
- ⅛ tsp ground ginger
- ⅛ tsp ground allspice
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 heaped tbsp pecan halves
- 2 tbsp double cream, optional
- Cut the pear in half. Coarsely grate one half and cut the other half into slices, lengthways.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter until golden and toasty smelling. Add the oats and toss to coat for one minute. Pour in the milk and simmer, stirring regularly, until the mixture begins to thicken. Stir in the spices and grated pear then continue cooking until rich and creamy. Divide between two bowls.
- In a small saucepan, gently heat the maple syrup and pear slices for 2 - 3 minutes, until the pears have softened slightly and the syrup thickened around them. Add the pecan halves for the final minute of cooking.
- Divide the pear slices and pecans between your two bowls then drizzle over any sticky maple syrup left in the pan.
- Serve as is, or with a trickle of cold double cream.
Toasted almonds and spicy cranberries are a favorite topping around here. Simple but delicious.
Perhaps it’s beacause I was born and raised in Scotland but we enjoy porridge every morning whether it’s January or July. But my favourite topping has to be stewed apples and rhubarb, with date syrup drizzled over the fruit and topped with toasted almonds! Xxx
Hi Helen, I’m delighted to let you know that Loaf.com have chosen you as the winner of this competition! I’ll pop you an email as well just in case you don’t see this and to get address details etc. Congratulations! xxx
Peanut butter and sliced banana
For me, it’s good old golden syrup – can’t be beaten! Probably not the healthiest though…
English Victoria plums poached in orange juice, star anise, cinnamon and cloves, served cold on top of the hot porridge with a scattering of blackberries. Autumnal perfection (though I make vats of this and freeze it so I can eat it all year round!)
apples and sliced almonds.
A drizzle of black treacle.
I love stewed rhubarb and strawberries with a little grated orange zest on my morning porridge yum
It’s got to be toasted pecans, maple syrup, with a smidge of cinnamon. Naughty but nice!
For me, it’s banana and sultanas and a dash of cream on a treat day!
My own bee’s honey and chia seeds.
My fav topping is blueberries, strawberries and flax seed oil!
Blueberries and cinnamon
Peaches, banana, raisins and honey hmmmm
I love mixing in cinnamon and nutmeg and topping it with banana and maple syrup.
I saw this on your instagram and was so inspired by it I riffed on it this weekend without the recipe! I did a buttery apple cinnamon topping and a drizzle of cream, and it was just fab. But to be honest my all time favourite porridge topping is salted butter and brown sugar, which is how I’ve been eating it since I was a kid. Yum!
Ooh, I love that you freestyles it-bet your version was delicious! Cream is so indulgent, but so good on porridge! X
I just like brown sugar, pecans and sliced bananas! Love this flavour combo too 🙂
Tahini, honey and toasted black and white sesame seeds
My current obsession when it comes to porridge toppings: a veritable mountain of blueberries with a blob of almond butter. However, if there are decent ripe figs in the shops, I am all over those bad boys! This looks and sounds gorgeous, I have a chai latte addiction and to have it in porridge form just sounds obscene…ly delicious.
Dried cranberries and cinnamon 🙂
Date nectar and stewed apricots
My favourite (weekend treat!) way to eat porridge is pinhead oats cooked with almond milk, water and malted milk powder, then served with molasses and toasted cacao nibs.
I love poached rhubarb on my porridge! I always freeze some when it’s in season, so I can enjoy it all year long 🙂
Freshly grated apple and cinnamon – simple and clean
My favourite porridge around this time of year is topped with a cranberry-orange compote, a dusting of cinnamon and clove, and a drizzle of maple syrup or honey. I’ve found that stirring a bit of molasses and ginger syrup (from a jar of stem ginger) through too is delicious. It makes a great Christmas brekkie! 🙂
wow, that porridge looks amazing! I will definitely need to try that. I like porridge with grated apple, cinnamon and sesame seeds. I like a bit of crunchy with my porridge.
Sounds delish!!!!!
I love blueberries and a sprinkle of cinnamon drizzled with honey……divine!!!
Apple and cinnamon
Probably maple syrup, double cream, pecans and almond slithers, either with fruit (pear or plum) or on top of a porridge made with fruit (Apple and sultanas). Mmm… Double cream…
For us here down South it’s all about using the best dairy milk one can get, a little dark heather honey, and perhaps some blackberries in summer or a bit of a roasted apple in winter. Yummy!! BTW, great blog!!!
Ah, thank you! Xxx
maple syrup and nectarine slices is my favourite!
Cranberries, cinnamon, toasted almonds and Manila honey
I love porridge with sultanas honey & cinnamon
For instant transportation to happy teenage summers in the Caribbean, it has to be fresh coconut pulp and sweet mangoes warmed from the sun. Heaven…
For me its golden syrup. I’ve always liked this ever since childhood, it’s so
comforting. To be extra healthy add a spoonful of delicious blueberries!!
Apple and raisins stewed and slightly sweetened
Ooh I would have to say confiture de lait, the perfect sweet gooey loveliness 🙂
peanut butter, honey, sliced bananas and cinnamon! omg yum
Diced mango and brown sugar with a teeny bit of lime juice.
Fresh fruit and toasted nuts by the handful..
Sprinkle with brown sugar, top with chopped almonds and chopped raspberries
The best is stewed apples with cinnamon, a handful of moreish pecans, a good pinch of Anglesey vanilla sea salt and a dollop of Greek yogurt, sprinkled with brown sugar and scattered with blueberries Mmm…
Brown sugar and raisins for me
yum it looks AMAZING! my favorite is cinnamon apple oatmeal!
My favourite porridge topping is dried cranberries & Greek style plain yoghurt
Mixed berries is my favourite topping
Smooth peanut butter and banana was a revelation to me, I didn’t think it would be good but it was and the protein in the PB keeps the hunger pangs at bay for just that bit longer.
I love the classics – maple syrup, brown sugar and thinly sliced bananas. It’s something my kids and I enjoy on a regular basis but this recipe looks so amazing I may venture into something different.
Brown sugar and a touch of cinnamon 🙂
current topping: wild apples and sloe berries compote. I do a big pan of compote and keep it for a week in the fridge ready to use or I pour it in silicone muffin pan and freeze as individual portions.
Whilst browsing around my local market a few weeks ago I came across a stall selling a wide verity of home-made jams, including the most delicious Raspberry Curd. It’s absolutely scrummy swirled into porridge made with almond milk and topped off with fresh raspberries and almonds….lovely stuff.
Tahini, hands down!
Mixed cooked berries underneath the porridge and then cinnamon, mixed spice, raisins, flaked almonds, a drizzle of maple syrup and some cooked, sliced banana on top is the best
Fig, honey and chopped pistachios! So yummy!
Katie xoxo
Porridge topped with chopped dates, walnuts or pecans with maple syrup simple but delicious
I’ve just eaten a cosy bowl of cinnamon, banana, medjool date porridge with a drizzle of honey. Warmed up this chilly Sunday morning. Instagram – larapace_1 for photo. Happy Sunday. Xxx
Chopped up apples with maple syrup and a sprinkling of cinnamon, yum yum!
I always reduce some frozen wildberries and put them over top with some cinnamon and local maple syrup. It is seriously delicious!
Hope I’m not too late! I love stewed apples in cinnamon or some tangy rhubarb
Whole earth peanut butter with raspberries and blueberries