Dream dinners: Oat porridge with chocolate and cherry compote 

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Dream dinners: Oat porridge with chocolate and cherry compote

By Heather Thomas & Alina Tierney

Published: | Updated:

We think of porridge as breakfast, but oats are rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium and tryptophan. Cherries are one of a few foods to contain natural melatonin

SERVES 2

PREP 5 minutes

COOK 20 minutes

85g porridge oats

a pinch of salt

200ml almond, soya or cow’s milk

200ml water

2 tbsp 0% fat Greek yogurt

30g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), coarsely grated

CHERRY COMPOTE

300g fresh or frozen cherries, stoned

2 tbsp water

1 tbsp clear honey

  • Make the cherry compote: put the cherries and water in a saucepan and poach gently over a low heat for 8-10 minutes until the cherries are tender but still hold their shape.
  • Remove the cherries with a slotted spoon and add the honey to the juices in the pan. Turn up the heat and cook until reduced and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Pour over the cherries and set aside, or make ahead by leaving to cool, then covering and chilling in the fridge until it is required.
  • Put the oats, salt, milk and water in a nonstick pan and bring to the boil, stirring. Reduce the heat to a bare simmer and cook gently, stirring, until thickened, smooth and creamy.
  • Serve the porridge topped with the yoghurt, grated chocolate and cherry compote.

TIP Add some grated orange zest to the cherry compote for a citrussy kick.