Semolina porridge

I believe in breakfast. I don't go far without it, unless I eat until 8 a.m. at the latest (on workdays, that is), I inevitably start to feel weak, shaky and often quite emotional. In my early blogging days, I once mentioned that I go through breakfast phases. I was hooked on steeped oats with grated apple, toasted nuts and yoghurt for quite some time until suddenly, about a week ago, I knew I wanted something else. So now, it's semolina porridge again, the finnish fibre-enriched kind with the cute girl with braids on the package. My very dear friend M. brings me some whenever she visits but even if you don't happen to have friends in Finland, don't despair: use regular semolina mixed with a handful of wheat or oat bran.

Here's my "recipe":

• 30-40g of semolina
• water
• a pinch of salt
• brown sugar
• a splash of milk
• berries or chopped fruit
• fromage frais or plain yoghurt

Put the semolina into a small saucepan, then add water (it should stand about 2 cm higher than the semolina - yes, my measurements are very scientific and precise here) and whisk in order to prevent clumps from forming. Bring to the boil, add the salt, then lower the heat and simmer for about five minutes or until thick. Stir frequently. Just before eating, add the milk and simmer for another minute. Spoon into a bowl and sprinkle with sugar and add the fruit and formage frais or yoghurt.

I like to take my bowl and sit in the armchair which used to belong to my grandfather while I eat. The husband (yes, you heard me) is usually in the shower or only just waking up by this time. Sometimes, he sleepily shuffles into the living room and steals a spoonfull from me. I don't turn on the radio, I don't go and get the paper. I just sit and eat. It may only be for ten minutes but I couldn't think of a more peaceful - and tasty - way to start the day.

Donna Hay's porridge with frozen berries

Porridge - not the most original dish to write about, right? Or attractive and photogenic, for that matter. True, but I wrote this post anyway because I'm so impressed with Donna Hay, once again. I simply have to share my enthusiasm. In Food Fast she suggests adding frozen berries (I like raspberries best) to a bowl of steaming hot porridge. The berries thaw immediately and the porridge cools down to just the right temperature for you to tuck in. So simple really, but someone had to think of it, didn't they? I certainly never would have. I eat porridge almost every day during the cooler months of the year, usually the frozen berries-variety (adding a spoonfull of linseeds), and the berry-trick help me to stay within my morning "schedule". No more running for the train because the porridge was too hot to eat - thank you, Donna!

Check out her book for a pretty picture of porridge (yes, it's possible).