Porridge is a mushy food made of grains.
It is mostly made from crushed oats.
The oats are boiled in water or milk.
In some places porridge is called oatmeal
People have been eating porridge for thousands of years.
Oat plants. Photo©iStock
What is porridge?
Porridge is made by cooking crushed or chopped cereal grains. Most commonly, the grains are oats.
Oats are grains that grow on a plant.
After the plants are harvested, they are dried and the grains removed from the stalks.
The grains are steamed to make them soft, and then they are flattened between heavy rollers, which is why they are called rolled oats.
The rolled oats are cooked with water or milk to become porridge, which is most often eaten at breakfast.
Oat grains Photo©iStock
Rolled oats. Image©iStock
A bowl of porridge. Image©iStock
A good breakfast
A good breakfast is very important, and helps you concentrate and work better at school. Porridge is a healthy, filling meal. Milk and honey or sugar are generally added to the hot porridge. Dried or fresh fruit can be added, and spices such as cinnamon also add flavouring.
Porridge cooking in a microwave. Photo©iStock
People can make porridge in the traditional way or can make instant porridge in a microwave.
Rolled oats are not only made into porridge but are also used as an ingredient in biscuits such as Anzac biscuits, or as a crumble topping on baked apples.
Learn how to make proper porridge:
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1431/perfect-porridge
See how to make Anzac biscuits here:
http://www.kidspot.com.au/kitchen/recipes/anzac-biscuits-200
