Porridge

surely the ultimate fuel for a long day in the saddle – eaten for breakfast a few hours before setting out – the slow release energy in the oats will keep you turning the pedals well into your ride. 

porridge
porridge – the ultimate breakfast ?

for each rider – you need –

  • 1 x cup of scottish / rolled / porridge oats
  • 1 x cup soya ( or other ) milk
  • 1 x cup water
  • optional – raisins – sultanas – honey – chopped banana – cinnamon – maple syrup – chopped apple – chia seeds – salt – whiskey – brown sugar

to make in a pan –

  • put 1 x cup of oats – 1 x cup of milk – 1 x cup of water into pan
  • put pan over a medium heat
  • stir mix as it warms
  • after 2 minutes add any optional seeds, fruit, salt or whiskey
  • keep stirring until porridge thickens to your taste
  • tip into bowl and cover with any optional sweeteners or spices

to make in a microwave –

  • put 1 x cup of oats – 1 x cup of milk – 1 x cup of water into a microwavable bowl
  • cook on full power – 2 1/2 x minutes for 800w – 2 x minutes for 900w
  • remove bowl – stir mix and add any optional seeds, fruit, salt or whiskey
  • cook for a further 2 x minutes
  • leave bowl to stand for 1 x minute
  • add any optional sweeteners or spices

a simple to make, classic start to any day – that can be tweaked in many a way.  experiment by adding things you might not have had before – we had real porridge in scotland when canoeing the great glen.  a b & b owner (known as “drunken duncan” !!) insisted in making everyone’s porridge with a tot of whiskey and it makes a real creamy treat.

Vegan Flapjack

the best tasting and easy to make version of this timeless favourite – great fuel on the go – as well as a pre and post ride snack.

vegan flap jacks
vegan flapjacks

you need –

  • 150g coconut oil
  • 90g brown sugar
  • 90g maple syrup or agave nectar
  • 170g porridge oats
  • 75g rasins or mixed fruit
  • 75g mixed chopped nuts – sunflower, chia, linseeds, mixed seeds, pistachio nuts can be included
  • 1 x peeled and mashed banana

to make –

  • pre heat your oven to 160o c or 140o c if its fan assisted
  • line a medium sized – 20 cm square or 18 cm x 28 cm baking tray with grease proof paper (top tip – scrunch it up 1st – then it covers the tray better)
  • in a pan over a moderate heat – melt the coconut oil, brown sugar and maple syrup / agave nectar together (don t overheat)
  • remove pan from the heat and mix in the oats, fruit, nuts and mashed banana
  •  tip the mix into the lined baking tray and spread / flatten the mix with back of spoon
  • put baking tray into oven to bake for 30 – 35 minutes (till golden on top)
  • remove baking tray from oven and allow to cool
  • place a chopping board on top of tray, tip over to remove flapjack
  • remove grease proof paper and chop flapjack into squares
  • store in an airtight container (best for around 3 days if they last that long)

*these don t last long in our house – lovely with a coffee – 1st thing in morning – heading out the door to ride – foil wrapped in our jersey pockets for fuel while out on the bikes or to kick start the re fuelling process  on our return.*