The first time I tried peanut porridge I was strolling down Barrett Street. Near Spanish Town Hospital in Jamaica, in the early hours of the morning. I had heard about the wonderful deliciousness of peanut porridge but, being that I’m not much of a peanut lover I never bothered to seek it out. As it were I was hungry and the first person I spotted was a ‘Porridge Man’ pushing his cart in my direction. Since my adventurous ways had already netted me an overnight stay in town I figured ‘what’s 1 more adventure?
One taste was all it took. Before long I was seeking out fresh roasted peanuts and blending oats and peanut like nobody’s business.
Peanut porridge is fairly new to the Caribbean culinary landscape. In recent years this hot cereal has gained popularity in and outside of Jamaica. Thanks to its fiber, iron and protein-rich content peanut porridge is a 100% natural, totally delicious boost of energy. Peanut porridge is made like most other porridge. The main ingredient (a blend of roasted unsalted peanuts and oatmeal in this case) are stirred into a pot of boiling water and cooked. The water is spiced with any combination of vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise or cloves. Milk and sugar are the sweeteners of choice.
Blend the peanuts and oatmeal together before cooking to make a rich creamy delicious porridge. If time allows, strain the porridge after cooking for a smooth silky taste.
Fresh cooked peanut porridge
Ingredients
- 1 C unsalted peanuts
- ½ C oatmeal
- ½ C condensed milk
- ½ C coconut milk
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 C water
*Substitute*
- 1 tsp sweet spice, instead of cinnamon and nutmeg
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients, except water in a blender. Blend until mixture is smooth. Add a little water if necessary to blend smoothly. Bring the water to a boil. When water begins to boil, stir in the blended mix. Stir or whisk to mix with water. Reduce the heat to med- low. Once the porlridge thickens, cover and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir every 3 to 4 minutes. If porridge becomes too thick stir in ½ cup water at a time to thin it. Add more milk or sugar to sweeten as desired. Make it Ital: substitute coconut milk for condensed milk . Sweeten with honey if desired.
