Apple Pie Breakfast Porridge

Apple Pie Breakfast Porridge with Millet and Pure Maple Syrup

Easy one-pot breakfast: 25 minutes and done!

One of the best things about the onset of autumn is the apple season.  Organic local apples seem to be everywhere this month, and what better place to stock up than at a U-Pick orchard?  This weekend's jaunt to Julian resulted in a huge bounty of Granny Smith, Fuji and Red Delicious apples, and I've been busy the last few days making dehydrated apple rings, homemade applesauce, and little apple pastries for the husband.

Here's an easy, filling and nutritious gluten-free breakfast porridge that will trick you into thinking you're enjoying an apple pie or cobbler for breakfast.  Full of millet, homemade unsweetened applesauce and sweetened with maple syrup and an optional protein and healthy fat boost from walnuts, it is the perfect one-pot dish to warm you up on a cold morning and get you started for your day.  Gluten-free and full of healthy magnesium, millet is an easily digestible grain that will keep you full and satiated until lunchtime.  Quinoa is also a substitution option for this recipe, and I've made it with both to outstanding results.  Read below for more awesome variations with the leftover porridge.

Apple Pie Breakfast Porridge

Ingredients:

1 cup uncooked millet

2-1/2 cups water

1 cup unsweetened homemade applesauce

3 tablespoons pure maple syrup

1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/8 teaspoon cloves

dash sea salt

optional 1/4 cup raw sprouted walnuts for garnish

optional additional 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup for serving

Directions:

1.  Combine all ingredients except optional walnuts and additional maple syrup for serving into a pot on the stove.  Bring mixture to a boil.

2.  Reduce to a simmer, let sit covered simmering for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat.

3.  Spoon into serving bowls: the recipe yields about 4 servings.  Sprinkle each serving with optional crumbled walnuts, about 1-2 tablespoons per dish, and top with additional 2 teaspoons of maple syrup if desired.  Serve warm!

top with 1-2 tablespoons walnuts and 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup per serving

The maple syrup, an unprocessed healthier addition than sugar, contains minerals and nutrients that are missing from processed and refined sugars.  More info can be found at Pure Canada Maple here.

Have extra porridge and want to use it up?  Mix it into your favorite pumpkin bread recipe for an extra fall flavor in your favorite pumpkin bread recipe.  Remove 1/3 of the flour or gluten-free flour from your pumpkin bread recipe, and stir in 1/2 cup of the cooled porridge.  

You can also add some gluten-free flour and eggs and baking powder to the cooled porridge to make pancakes or waffles.  Take 1 cup of the cooled porridge mixture, add 1 cup flour of your choice, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil.  Place on a preheated pan or griddle for pancakes, cooking until batter is set and edges are browned; flip, cook 2 minutes longer and serve with additional pure maple syrup for the perfect fall breakfast. (Or dinner....Shhhhh).