Can I get a hell yeah? - HELL YEAH

Let's not beat around the bush, foraging is sick. Coming home with a bounty of free food that is just meant for you, exactly where you are in the world, exactly at this time of year, fresher and more in season than ever. It resounds greatly with our inner hunter gatherer going out to find food that's not guaranteed and when you do come accross an abundance of what you're after it's amazing. Fill your boots - but obviously don't raid the entire orchard, leaving with a tummy ache and leave none for the people after you. That wouldn't be cool.

The smell of ginger and these super tart apples frying in butter is something else! *swoon* Yes, butter! butter in your porridge! 

Most porridge recipes call for sugar but as I am on a massive ANTI SUGAR mission alongside Jamie Oliver  and Brighton Council, as well as for personal reasons, at the moment (more on that later) I opted to use a TOUCH of maple syrup for sweetness. Maple syrup is still pretty sugary but it's not in the same way that a spoonfull of plain white sugar, or golden syrup or something would be. Maple syrup contains a little potassium, calcium, iron, zinc and manganese. All you need is a touch though or else it will overwhelm your porridge and you'll lose taste of the other flavours. 

Serves One

1 inch piece of root ginger - chopped finely

Knob of butter

2 small crab apples

cup of wholegrain rolled oats

Enough milk and water to cover the mixture - I didn't measure sorry! probably about a cup! I used soy milk.

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tbls maple syrup

Chia seeds for scattering - optional

Pinch of salt

Melt your butter in a small saucepan before adding the ginger and apples with the pinch of salt. Stir them on a low heat for about 5 minutes. Then, add your oats, milk and first tsp of cinnamon. Stir and let it thicken for another 4-5 minutes. When it's thickened, transfer to your bowl and then decorate with more cinnamon, a touch of maple and your chia seeds. 

Chia and Ginger in this will help any colds you may have coming given the change in temperature. Cinnamon helps control your blood sugar levels so along with the low GI oats, you should hopefully stay satiated for a while. 

How do you like them apples?

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