Three-Grain Porridge with Dried Rhubarb, Strawberries and Tarragon Sugar
Last month, in the midst of all the rain, I found myself pining for comfort food and decided to host a couple of Nordic porridge-themed pop-up brunches. At first, ticket sales were considerably slower than usual, maybe because the word porridge just isn’t all that tantalizing. Many people associate porridge with thick and sticky gruel that seems more fitting for hanging wallpaper than actual consumption.However, the porridges I was introduced to and learned to cook while living in Copenhagen were completely unlike the instant oatmeal paper packets I’d grown up eating in Ohio. Scandinavian porridges are in a league of their own because they feature a wonderful combination of grains and a variety of fresh and seasonal toppings.The Scandi methodology behind a good bowl of porridge is pretty simple and is based on a medley of two or more grains, one whole, and the other a flake, like oatmeal. The whole grains give the porridge its bulk, and the flakes add creaminess.Because whole grains require more cooking time, I wait to add the flakes until the grains are tender. Water works perfectly well as the sole cooking liquid, though sometimes I’ll substitute a portion with some milk for a richer flavor.Once the flakes have cooked through, I add a dash of salt and a knob of butter. Citrus zest, a leftover scraped vanilla pod, a mashed banana or a handful of almond flour are some of the things I might stir into a sweet porridge, just as I would finish a savory porridge with some fresh baby spinach, grated cheese or a handful of chopped fresh herbs. It’s these stir-ins in particular, that help boost flavor and ward off the threat of bowl boredom.And then there are the toppings. The key is to keep things simple by selecting two or three no-to-low-prep ingredients. For example, topping off each bowl with thinly sliced fruits or vegetables, like pear, carrot, fennel or radish, not only adds flavor but also a bit of texture for crunch. Nuts and seeds do their share of lifting a weighty porridge, too. And for creaminess, a spoonful of a quality nut butter or ripe avocado can work wonders. When it comes to savory porridges, a runny egg, flaked smoked fish or crispy lardons never disappoint.Last week, excited by the debut of local rhubarb at the farmers market, I sliced a bunch of stalks on the bias and dried them in the oven. The next morning we enjoyed one of my favorite porridges made with millet, amaranth and oats topped with the dried rhubarb, sliced strawberries and tarragon sugar. Needless to say, there were no leftovers, and my only thought was: instant oatmeal packets, go home.[tasty-recipe id="2489"]