spelt porridge with cinnamon-spiced apple

Nutty spelt porridge, with a cinnamon spiced apples and raisins.

As apples are available almost all year around they are a great fruit to use in sweet autumn/wintery dishes. This cinnamon-spiced apple and spelt porridge is definitely right up there on my favourite warm apple breakfasts.

This porridge is comforting and warming and I especially love eating this wrapped up in a blanket with a hot cup of rooibos tea.

WHAT IS SPELT

Spelt is an ancient whole grain also know as Dinkel or hulled wheat.

Spelt does contain gluten and is therefor unfortunately not suitable as a gluten-free option.

One cup of cooked spelt has about 10g of protein and more than a 100 percent of your recommended daily intake for Manganese. It is also high in Iron, Zinc, Phosphorous, Magnesium and Vitamin B3.

Eating whole grains may help protect against heart diseases, obesity and type 2 diabetes.

CINNAMON

Adding cinnamon not only adds a natural sweetness, but it also has health benefits.

Cinnamon benefits include:

• It's high in antioxidants

• It may reduce risk of heart diseases

• has powerful medicinal properties

• Anti-inflammatory properties

• Lowers blood sugar levels

• May help fight bacterial and fungal infections.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

This porridge has not added sugar and is date-sweetened only.

You can substitute the dates with other dried fruit such has raisins, dried cherries or cranberries.

If you don't have spelt porridge or want a gluten-free version you can use rolled oats instead (make sure the oats is specified as gluten-free on the packaging).

Pears are a great alternative if you don't like or have apples.

OTHER BREAKFASTS YOU MIGHT LIKE

baked pear and chai-spiced oats

plum & orange compote with overnight oats

cinnamon apple buckwheat porridge

CINNAMON-SPICED APPLE & SPELT PORRIDGE

This porridge is date-sweetened only and is a great alternative to the usual cooked oats.

Serves: 1

Time: 10 min

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE PORRIDGE

• 40 g uncooked spelt porridge

• 2 - 3 soft dates, chopped finely

• pinch of salt

• 200ml milk of choice or water

FOR THE APPLES

• 1/2 apple, cubed

• 1heaped tsp ground cinnamon

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tbsp raisins

TO SERVE

• hemp seeds

• more maple syrup

INSTRUCTIONS

FOR THE PORRIDGE

• Add the spelt porridge, salt and milk/ water to a saucepan and cook for 5 min on low.

• Add the chopped dates and cook for another 3 - 5 minutes. Add more liquid if required.

FOR THE APPLES

• In a small saucepan heat the chopped apple pieces, raisins, cinnamon, maple syrup, vanilla and a teaspoon of water.

• Stir over low heat for 4 - 5 minutes. This option is to heat the apples for a bit, but still keep the inside of the pieces still crunchy and fresh. OR if you prefer you can cook fully the apples by simply adding a bit more water and cooking until soft.

• Alternative option is to keep the apple pieces fresh and simply sprinkle with cinnamon.

TO SERVE

• Transfer the cooked spelt porridge to a bowl and serve with the cinnamon apples pieces, hemp seeds and more maple syrup if needed.

Have you tried this recipe?

Let me know if you made this and tag me on Instagram

@lychees_and_leggings and #lychees_and_leggings