Porridge Weather

       December is porridge weather, and I say porridge, not oatmeal, because plain oats don't do much for me. Oats are healthy, certainly, good for your heart, but I always think about them as just breakfast food, and for me, I'm still hungry after a bowl of plain oatmeal. Last year I came up with a recipe for a special whole grain porridge that could incorporate any combination of your favorite grains, cooked in water and soy milk in the crockpot. This method of cooking eliminates the need for constant stirring.
       Whole grain porridge can be served any time of the day. I have it for breakfast with butter and honey, but  I also like it for lunch or dinner with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs, eaten like you would rice pilaf, maybe served with a side salad or steamed vegetables.
       If all this sounds way too healthy for you, well, we're not getting any younger, you know. Now and then I find myself eating way too much meat, sweets, and fountain drinks, and I wonder why I have no energy. So this past week, after I finally digested all those Thanksgiving pies and turkey thighs with crispy skin, I thought it would be best to eat a healthier diet.
       I'm also thinking about doing some serious backpacking in January and February of next year, and losing a few pounds will take a lot of pressure off my joints. And if you think you need to be on a diet for weeks to get results, I assure you that you will feel better after just two days of fruits, vegetables, and this porridge. I figured out there are about 10-grams of protein per serving, so it's quite filling and satisfying. Diet or no diet, try this porridge, because it's delicious. And eat a couple of apples, too, just for good measure.

December Porridge

Ingredients:
1/3 cup farro
1/3 cup steel cut oats
1/3 cup quinoa
(or any combination of grains to total 1-cup)
1-1/2 cups water
1-1/2 cups soy milk

Preparation:
Combine all in a crock pot. Cook on high for about 2 hours or low for about 4 hours. Makes six good size servings. You can make the porridge in advance and reheat successfully in the microwave or over a double boiler on the stove.