If you’ve been keeping up with me on Instagram, then you know my new amazing discovery in our yard… mulberry trees galore! I’ve found about four luscious mulberry trees surrounding our home each one dropping heavy juicy mulberries by the minute. This Mulberry Soaked Oat Porridge was inspired purely from these gorgeous trees in our yard. Although it’s been quite some time since I’ve had fresh mulberries, I use dried mulberries throughout the year when fresh isn’t in season in my smoothie bowls, muesli, and snacks. Mulberries are beautiful fruits to be added to a wide variety of dishes, but I particularly love them with breakfast and hearty porridges.
Growing up, my family had several mulberry trees and I specifically remember the journey it took to get my little hands on those purple gems, it took skills of climbing trees, hopping fences, and finally reaching the long branches filled with mulberries. I would always be so proud at the accomplishment of grasping and picking them off the tree and having my own treat foraged, with purple stained fingers and mouth taboot.
I found myself in the yard picking these ripe mulberries straight off the green vines and branches and was instantly transported to my childhood experiences of picking mulberries and popping them in my mouth with no hesitation, it was a beautiful moment. Somedays, all it takes for me to relax is something so simple as this, it’s more time in nature and less time in the digital/internet world and of working on projects (even though I adore it!). Naturally, this lovely experience instantly fueled my body as well as my mind and I had great new inspiration on how to use this fruit in several recipes. The rest of my inspirations will have to wait for another project I’ll be sharing, as I’m focusing on my favorite of the bunch, a simple oat porridge. Technically porridge is served warm, which you may do so with this recipe, but in the spring and summer I actually prefer this one just soaked without heating.
Marvelous mulberries. Mulberries are definitely in my pantry and part of my kitchen staples for a great carbohydrate source and of course their nutrition and flavor. The flavor reminds me of a raspberry and blackberry grown together, but when dried they are incredibly sweet- like no other dried fruit I’ve tasted! Also, dried mulberries have a fantastic texture to them, reminiscent of sticky toffee or crunchy candy. Fresh mulberries on the other hand, start out on the tree as a light lime green, slowly ripening to a beautiful pale pink color, then deep purple (as shown in the picture). You’ll know the mulberry is super ripe when it’s deep purple and it only takes a small movement and shake to the branch for it to fall from it’s post. Nature has a beautiful way of telling you when something is ready doesn’t it?
Many of my clients ask about quick, healthy, and delicious breakfast recipes and porridges and overnight oatmeal is one of the first I recommend after a green smoothie of course. Overnight oatmeal a.k.a. overnight oats, is simply raw rolled oats soaked in some type of liquid overnight or at least for 2-4 hours and then topped with anything under the sun! It’s vegan, gluten free, and friendly to all types of lifestyles and even those of you following a more “structured” meal plan with calories in mind- it can all be versatile. Overall this porridge has great fiber, carbohydrates, protein, and it’s simple to make ahead of time for your busy mornings.
Add-ons | Of course you can enjoy this recipe just as it is, or feel free to add on some of these ingredients for a boost in healthy fat and protein.
- 1/4 cup of any nut/seed you enjoy (pumpkin seeds, almonds, walnuts, etc.)
- 2 tbs. nut butter
- 3 tbs. hemp seeds stirred in for a boost of protein
- 1 scoop of protein powder (I think Sunwarrior warrior blend or PlantFusion work really well with porridges)
- 2-3 farm fresh eggs/egg whites, cooked of course
- 1/2 cup gluten free rolled oats
- 1 cup almond milk (see “guide to nut milks” for recipe)
- 2/3 cup fresh mulberries
- 1/4 cup cashews, soaked for at least 30 minutes or until soft
- 1-2 dates, pitted (optional)
- 1 tablespoon flax seed, ground
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
- dash of sea salt
- drizzle of honey or maple syrup to sweeten
- garnish with dried mulberries
- Blend soaked cashews, flax seed, with almond milk and 1/3 cup mulberries until smooth.
- Combine all remaining ingredients into a bowl, stirring the remaining 1/3 cup mulberries, and put in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Serve chilled or set on the counter to warm at room temperature before enjoying.
- If making ahead of time, simply make this recipe in a tupperware container and store overnight in the fridge, take it out when you’re ready the next morning and have your breakfast to-go!
- Garnish with dried mulberries, honey drizzle, or additional cinnamon.
I hope you all enjoy this porridge recipe. It’s been so wonderful hearing on Instagram all of your childhood experiences as well with mulberry trees- such a wonderful experience. Thanks for sharing and comment below if you have a story you’d like to share!
Hope you all have a beautiful weekend,
xx McKel
Nutrition Stripped news // Check out my latest article in SpryLiving.com all about smoothies! Also, today is the last day to enter the Juice Beauty giveaway and I’ll be choosing a winner shortly!
