coconut porridge topped with berries and nuts
I’m all into healthy power foods ever since I started running over a month ago. My favorite time of the day to run is at 6:15am before work, when the birds are chirping and no one except some squirrels and a few fellow runners are out on the street. Besides the peaceful environment, running in the morning truly kickstarts my metabolism and maintains it high for the next couple of hours, wakes me up with an amazing flow of fresh air, and ensures that I get my workout done before I even start my day. When I do run in the early hours there’s nothing I love more than coming home to a hearty breakfast, like this coconut porridge, which I discovered a couple of weeks ago on Deliciously Ella when searching for healthy yet filling recipes to energize my body after a hard morning workout.
There’s something about porridge that will always remind me of the story of Goldilocks and The Three Bears, where Goldilocks tries two different bowls of porridge before finding her happiness in the third bowl. I honestly can’t remember the last time I had porridge, but Ella’s Creamy Coconut Porridge made me think about how many amazing breakfasts I’ve missed out on in the past years. This porridge is full of flavor and packed with health benefits, giving my body all it needs to start the day — whether I’ve run or not.
The first time I made this porridge I was surprised how full I felt, even hours later! I always eat breakfast at 7:30am and am starving by 10:30am, but a warm bowl of porridge keeps me full until lunchtime. There is a reason behind it though; oats are low-cal and low-fat yet packed with fiber and proteins, slowing down your digestive process and giving you the impression that you are full for hours. Every single ingredient added to this porridge has its benefits, from the oats and coconut all the way to the nuts and fruits.
How many times have I heard that coconut milk and coconut oil are fattening. Yes, they are fattening when consumed in incredible amounts, but small amounts have proven to be extremely beneficial, given that coconuts contain healthy fats that our bodies depend on to properly function. The same goes for nuts. When consumed in moderation, nuts are energy-boosting foods that fuel the body with protein, fiber and essential fats.
This porridge gets its creaminess from coconut milk, coconut oil, sliced banana and almond butter, and becomes even more delicious once it is topped with the nuts of your choice. I love to use a mix of pecans and hazelnuts, but feel free to use a combination of your favorites. The berries give it even more flavor and health benefits, resulting in a breakfast that ticks all the boxes when it comes to improving your daily diet.
- 2 cups water
- ⅔ cup oats
- 8 tablespoons coconut milk
- 2 very ripe bananas, sliced
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
- A handful of raspberries, blueberries or strawberries
- A handful of pecans, hazelnuts, walnuts or almonds, chopped
- Combine water, oats, coconut milk and banana in a saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring often, until the oats absorb all the liquid. Stir in the almond butter and coconut oil. Serve warm in two bowls topped with the berries and chopped nuts.
How did your coconut porridge topped with berries and nuts come out? Share photos of your recipe on Instagram by tagging #savormania