Mild chamomile and oat porridge

Mild chamomile and oat porridge with banana, oats and chamomile tea: a gentle, lukewarm porridge with soft sweetness and a short ingredient list for quiet meals.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 5 min
• Cooking time: 10 min
• Total time: 15 min
• Calories: 210 kcal per serving
• Protein: 7 g
• Fat: 4 g
• Carbs: 36 g

Ingredients

• 1/2 ripe banana
• 50g porridge oats
• 200ml chamomile tea
• 100ml unsweetened almond milk or water
• 1 pinch of salt

Method

You’ll need: saucepan · wooden spoon

1. Make the chamomile tea and leave it to steep briefly. Stir the oats with the chamomile tea and almond milk or water in a small saucepan until smooth.
2. Warm the mixture slowly over a low heat, stirring regularly, until the oats soften and you have a creamy porridge.
3. Mash the banana finely with a fork. Stir it into the warm porridge with a pinch of salt.
4. Take the pan off the heat and let the porridge thicken briefly. If it gets too thick, loosen it with a little water or almond milk.
5. Leave to cool briefly before eating. The porridge should be soft and lukewarm.

Good to know

Some days, warm, soft food simply feels nicer. This porridge is mild, simple and on the table in no time.

Swaps

Banana → unsweetened stewed apple purée (milder) Porridge oats → millet flakes (gluten-free) Unsweetened almond milk → unsweetened tinned coconut milk diluted well with water, or water (fewer additives) Chamomile tea → fennel tea (mild, with a gentle aniseed note)

Allergens

Oats contain gluten unless certified gluten-free, and almond milk contains tree nuts, so it isn't suitable for people with a tree nut allergy. For children and during pregnancy, the ingredients are generally unremarkable in normal amounts – but with herbal teas, don't overdo it. Contains: gluten (oats).

Frequently asked questions

What's in oats, nutritionally?

Oats provide complex carbohydrates, some plant protein and soluble fibre such as beta-glucans. They also contain minerals such as manganese, magnesium and iron.

Which nutrients does the banana bring to the porridge?

Banana mainly contains potassium plus some vitamin B6 and carbohydrates. The riper it is, the sweeter the porridge tastes thanks to the natural fruit sugar.

What does chamomile tea add to the porridge?

Chamomile is a traditional, widely used herb and tastes very mild. In the porridge it adds a gentle, slightly floral note rather than a strong flavour.

What should I look for in unsweetened almond milk?

Almond milk usually tastes light and subtle, but brands vary a lot in calcium, additives and thickeners. A short ingredient list is a good sign.

Why add a pinch of salt to such a mild porridge?

Salt doesn't just bring sodium – it also rounds off the sweetness of the banana and the flavour of the oats. The amount stays very small.

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