Jamaican Oats porridge recipe | (2024)

FAQs

What is Jamaican porridge made of? ›

In Jamaica we make porridges of all kinds and any starchy vegetable can be turned into porridge. Locally favored versions are made from ingredients that include cornmeal, hominy corn, green banana, green plantain, peanut, and, of course, the requisite oats. Of all the porridges, cornmeal is our personal favorite.

Oatmeal and porridge are basically the same thing – it's what you get when you add milk or water to oats and cook them. At Uncle Tobys we think of oatmeal as being chunkier and coarser as opposed to our Quick Oats and Sachets, which produce a creamier bowl of oats.

Overall, Cornmeal is a good plant source of protein, fiber, and is gluten-free. Also, it's a rich source of complex carbohydrates, which means that you feel fuller for longer. Lastly, it's a good source of vitamin A, which helps the function of the kidneys, lungs, and heart and It's low in fat and calories.

In the morning drain any excess water, then pop them into a saucepan with plenty of water (or milk), Work on the ratio of 1:2 or 1:3 ratio of oats to liquid, depending on whether you like the porridge thick and creamy or more runny. That means 1 to 1 & 1/2 cups of liquid per 1/2 cup of oats.

Steel-cuts and rolled oats have a lower glycemic index than quick oats, potentially making them the best choices for blood sugar control.

Corn meal is prepared as a porridge, used in pancake batter, or used to make cornbread. Corn meal has a glycemic index between 68-70. It is at the cusp of moderate to high GI, and it will likely increase your blood sugars.

If you have diabetes, then your focus should be on low-GI foods. The glycemic index of cornmeal is between 68 and 69, depending on the preparation method. When cornmeal gets cooked with water, the GI is around 68. So you should consume less amount of cornmeal if you have diabetes.

Cornmeal products have been touted for heart health, hypertension, improved digestion, better vision and weight management. Like you, I also grew up drinking cornmeal porridge and I still drink it at least once per week these days. It is a fact that cornmeal is calorie dense.

Oatmeal, or porridge, is a wonderful way to start the day. And soaking your oats the night before you cook them can make the breakfast you consume tastier, easier to digest and more nutritious.

Is it better to soak porridge oats overnight? ›

Overnight oats are healthier for your gut. Rolled oats contain 8.5 grams of resistant starch, by soaking rather than cooking, the oats retain more of the resistant starch. Resistant starch is a type of prebiotic fibre that your body cannot digest.

Steel cut oats are the least processed form of oat cereal and when cooked have a nutty flavour with a good texture. They taste great as porridge or can be used in home baking. Stoneground oatmeal is made from oat groats that have been ground into small flat pieces.

Porridge is made of grains such as oats, quinoa, barley, farro or wild rice cooked in liquid such as water, milk or milk alternatives.

Porridge is made by boiling grains, legumes, or other starchy carbohydrates in hot liquid like milk or water. The starches begin to break down as they cook, eventually becoming thick, rich, and creamy. Some popular base ingredients that are used to make porridge include: Rice.

So grits are a cornmeal porridge, but they differ from cornmeal in texture, and thus application. They aren't precisely synonymous. The texture is different. Grits can be eaten as a savory dish, or sweetened like rolled oats or cream of wheat.

Porridge is a food made by heating or boiling ground, crushed or chopped starchy plants, typically grain, in milk or water. It is often cooked or served with added flavourings such as sugar, honey, fruit, or syrup to make a sweet cereal, or it can be mixed with spices, meat, or vegetables to make a savoury dish.