Remember my three bears!? They used to be such characters on the blog. I think Mazen replaced them! I am pretty sure my mom has two of them at her house. I should check. What I bad bear mother I have been!
Today I am actually talking about the famous three bears. You know, the ones Goldilocks disturbs?!
My mom, the librarian, loves to send Mazen new books. This lift-the-flap version of Goldilocks has been a big hit.
Mazey and I were reading it the other night and he commented: “Mommy what is porridge?” I explained that it was like oatmeal. His response after studying the pictures of the smooth bowls and spoons: “So it’s like oatmeal soup?” You got it, Mazen! I told him I would make him porridge for breakfast.
So the next morning I got up early to make us bowls of porridge. I used my typical whipped banana oatmeal method but added all milk instead of just half so it would be extra creamy, along with a pinch of cinnamon.
I also broke out the immersion blender to smooth out the texture.
Somebody was excited!! He ate his whole bowl. (Although he did ask for a spoonful of peanut butter on top!)
I added summer fruits to mine. And some coffee!
Here’s the basic recipe:
Three Bears Oatmeal Porridge
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2 cups milk of your choice
- 1 banana thinly sliced
- Pinch of kosher salt
- Pinch of cinnamon
- Splash of vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add oats, milk, banana, and seasonings to a medium pot.
- Heat to medium heat and stir frequently until oatmeal is thick and bubbly.
- Use an immersion blender to smooth texture (or a real blender being careful with the hot oatmeal).
Enjoy, my little Goldilocks friends!
Christina @ montessoriishmom.com says
That is the cutest idea! It also looks very tasty 🙂
Tanya says
Porridge in the U.K. is, I think, the same as your oatmeal. It is made with oats and certainly is not blended up!
KathEats says
I blended it up to distinguish it from regular oatmeal since Mazen said “so it’s like soup.” There are no oats visible in the three bears. This is a fun recipe not a cultural report!
Sara says
I love that you get Mazen involved in cooking. With Katheats being so successful, it’s also teaching him the family business!
I just wanted to say, as the blog is your business, that your reply to Tanya kind of comes off as a little curt. I don’t think that’s your intent however I know I have to sometimes reread my writing to ensure that the other person’s perception matches my intent.
Unsolicited advice however as a longtime reader I wanted to let you know.
KathEats says
If I’m being completely honest, I think this happens because occasionally I receive a handful of comments on a topic, some of which I deem “rude and/or disrespectful” and do not approve (aka “Kath you are an idiot. Porridge is oatmeal”). So when I get to a comment that is on the same topic but is written nicely, I approve it and answer it “for the masses” and by this point probably do have an annoyed tone to my response, which is unfair to the nice commenter. So what you don’t see are the comments that make me roll my eyes before I get to this one and just want to say “chill out, guys!” that come before this one so the context to you guys seems uncalled for. I’m sorry to Tanya, and any commenter who receives this frustration.
Sara says
Thanks for responding/explaining.
I imagine you will be aware of that more going forward. At work, one of my eval comments was that people can’t read my mind and I have to remember that. So I completely get it!
Lee Barnett III says
Hey Kathy:
I commend you on your hard work. The fact that your thought process is included in your cooking posts are a testament to helping others as you help yourself. Texting and online chat lacks depth and context most times, so for people to feel the need to comment their opinion, thoughts and emotions after reading your post is a testament to their lower knowledge status. Your post is for information/instruction purposes; not an invitation to the masses for ongoing discussion that will accomplish nothing of real value. Your posts are a blessing to those who choose to read your posts as opposed to others and that is it. May you continue to grace others with your knowledge and understanding on these matters for a long time to come. Keep up the good work on enlightenment of the few for the good of the many. Your reach knows no bounds.
Carrie this fit chick says
AW!! This is too cute. Where I grew up, we called it porridge! Much prefer that name to oatmeal hah
Andrea @ French Pressed Kitchen says
Love the blending idea!!
Also Kath, I saw these and immediately thought of you…. http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/american-atelier-linen-set-of-4-stemless-wine-glasses/4525842?origin=category-personalizedsort&fashioncolor=COPPER
KathEats says
Those are GORG!!
Cynthia Greenstreet says
What a sweet idea. I always love combining books with real life adventures. When Mazen gets older try reading about Leonardo da Vinci and making Leonardo’s Lunch (minestrone soup)-a favorite at our house.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leonardo-Da-Vinci-Kids-Activities/dp/1556522983
I’ll tuck away your porridge idea in my “future grandma file”…if I happen to get so lucky 🙂
Enjoy your day!
KathEats says
Love the soup idea! I love it when books have a recipe in the back.
Linda @ the Fitty says
Question! Do you find it better to own an electric frother (not hand held) to make froth or just use an immersion blends? I LOVE froth and I want it just right.
Mary says
I love how you talked about this through a book, listened to your son’s conclusion and then were creative in making the porridge happen as he saw it through the story.. Awesome job, Mom! I’m an elementary school teacher 🙂
KathEats says
: )
Bethany says
I agree with Mary’s comment! Super inspiring #momgoals
Mary says
There was supposed to be a smiley face at the end of my comment?
KathEats says
I see one! Sometimes WordPress struggles with emojis…
Jessica says
I love this… my 5 year old son was a huge fan of the Little Bear books, and we once made the soup from Little Bear’s Birthday: “Carrots, potatoes, peas and tomatoes.” So fun. Books are magical.
Paula says
My mom used to make us Cream of Wheat when we were kids, and I always imagined that when I read anything about porridge!
Kori says
SUCH a cute idea! I love reading, and as a kid, I would’ve loved for aspects to be “brought to life.” That first photo is very pretty!
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) says
Do you know the book “Stone Soup”?
https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/9780590416023-item.html?mkwid=sKLCrs73h_dc&pcrid=44154474422&pkw&pmt&s_campaign=goo-Shopping_Books&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItfvjm9Sa1QIVEGt-Ch0b5AHeEAYYASABEgIlmfD_BwE
Teachers love this one, and often make the soup with the students in kindergarten or grade 1 🙂
Janel says
Hi Kath! Quick question for you (and/or any readers that have suggestions). I am deathly (no exaggeration) allergic to bananas. Do you have any ideas what I could use instead? I love the consistency banana gives oatmeal and smoothies, especially, but unfortunately I haven’t had any luck finding a replacement that works any where near as well as using bananas. Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! I’m dying here in Florida without being able to have an ice cold, thick smoothie!
KathEats says
The closest food texture wise I can think of is avocado. Possibly mangoes!? The banana texture is hard to replicate! What about a silken tofu?
Janel says
I’ll try those and see which one works best! Thanks for the suggestions!
Anna says
I find that frozen mangoes are the BEST (besides bananas) for making smoothies nice and thick! I have been loving smoothies this summer and always be sure to have a bag of frozen mangoes in my freezer 🙂
Karen H says
What a fun idea! If I had a young child (or grandchild!) I would be doing this tomorrow! Thanks for sharing M’s and your happiness in sharing books and food.
Mary Roth says
Several years ago I had a friend that had a three year old son who wouldn’t eat oatmeal until she told him that’s what the three bears ate for breakfast. She also put a bandana on him like a cowboy to keep him from getting his food all over himself because he was too old for a bib. It was rather cute.
KathEats says
Awwww!
Diana says
I remember the bears! I asked my mom to make me porridge when I was a kiddo btw. 🙂
Tiffany says
This was a cute post, Kath! Another way to get that creamy consistency is to put raw oats in your vitamix. You’ll get oat flour and you can cook it on the stove top. It will cook in minutes.
Kathleen says
This is so great! I love it!
Taryn says
This is the cutest idea ever! Sometimes I need to get creative with food in order to get my kids to eat it. Avocado – no way! But guacamole (smashed avocado with lime juice and salt) – yum! Tiny humans are funny that way 🙂 And I love his excited face!