This is a delicious and nourishing porridge inspired by the healing beverage Golden Milk and some leftover cooked grains. Eaten as a brothy, very lightly sweetened porridge, this feels incredibly nourishing and balanced. The turmeric and spices ease digestion and balance blood sugar, help to decrease inflammation, and help to build immunity. While many porridges and hot cereals are quite sweet, this recipe is more balanced, offering flavors to satisfy each of the six tastes:
sweet (grains, almond milk, coconut, cinnamon)
salty (salt),
sour (unsweetened berry sauce)
bitter (turmeric)
pungent (ginger, turmeric, chia seeds)
astringent (berry sauce, turmeric)
Although consistency is a matter of personal preference, this is intentionally made with a thinner consistency. Eating something with a lot of liquid in the morning helps to combat morning dehydration; and soupy foods are healthy for digestion in general. I often garnish it with a fruit sauce made from blended frozen berries thickened with chia seeds, sprinkled with toasted coconut, and drizzled with additional almond milk.
For 2 servings:
- 1 cup of cooked brown basmati rice, or other grain
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups, or more, of water
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger, or to taste
- pinch salt, if rice isn’t already salted
- 1 teaspoon coconut sugar, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup milk (or 2 Tablespoons coconut butter)*
- toasted coconut to garnish, optional
- fruit sauce to garnish, optional
*If you have some soaked nuts available, you can make your own nut milk by blending about 1/4 cup nuts with 1/2 cup water until very smooth. If not, you can stir coconut butter in for the creamy consistency, or use any milk you have available.
Put the grains, water, turmeric, ginger, salt, and coconut sugar in small saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer for about ten minutes. Have your teapot filled and ready in case you need to add more hot water to keep it soupy. The cereal should be a deep, but not fluorescent, yellow; add small amounts of turmeric as needed. Be sure to give it a minute to permeate before adding more or you might end up with too much. Stir in the cinnamon and nut milk or coconut butter. Pour into bowls and garnish. Enjoy hot with a deep cleansing breath and am moment of gratitude.
Julia's Kitchen 