Spiced Grain Porridge

This warm and fragrant porridge made with sorghum and millet is the perfect start to the day. This spiced grain porridge is packed with flavour, essential nutrients and fibre that will keep you full throughout the morning. It is customizable, completely gluten free, and a great addition to your breakfast rotation.

Ghanaians and grain porridges go hand in hand. Whether it is rice, corn, millet, legumes, best believe we have found a way to turn it into a porridge. With the ability to turn anything into a delicious porridge coursing through my veins, it was only right to share a delicious spiced sorghum and millet porridge that is incredible to start your day with. The slightly nutty, sweet and floral notes of sorghum and millet are a delightful combination to savour. This porridge is a great alternative to your typical oat-based porridge with essential nutrients, fibre and protein that oat might not offer you.

Background on Millet and Sorghum

Sorghum and millet (specifically pearl millet) are Indigenous African grains that have been part of our diets for millennia. These plants grow very tall, with various varieties producing grain yearly. They do well in varied terrain, making them a great food source for those living outside of sub-Saharan Africa’s forested regions. Beyond porridge, these grains are used for staple foods/swallows, beverages, soups and many more.

Trade and globalization has fostered networks that have allowed these ingredients to travel beyond the African shores. Sorghum and pearl millet are commonly consumed on the Indian subcontinent, where they are known as jowar and bajri, respectively.

Why you need to eat more millet and sorghum.

There is a reason ancient grains are becoming more popular. Beyond being a part of our diets for millennia, they contain essential nutrients that are important for our overall health.

Sorghum is a great addition to your diet because it is high in insoluble fibre, along with B Vitamins, Vitamin E, magnesium, copper and phosphorus. Millet is just as great for you as it too is also a good source of magnesium, zinc and B vitamins.

What you will need for this recipe

• Sorghum: Any type of sorghum works well. Sorghum is available at many health food stores and online retailers.
• Millet: I use pearl millet for this recipe but use whichever millet you prefer. You can also swap out the millet for more sorghum.
• Spices: For this recipe, I am using ground cloves and cinnamon but use what ever spices you prefer. Ground cardamom, ginger or even vanilla essence works well.
• Dates: Blending the grains with dates adds extra sweetness and a subtle caramel flavour.
• Baobab (optional): Sorghum and millet are usually fermented or cooked with tamarind or baobab for a slightly sour flavour. A little bit of baobab in this porridge balances out the warm flavours of the grains plus, it adds vitamin C and calcium to the porridge

Overview of how to make the spiced grain porridge

1. Soak the grains overnight. Soaking the grains makes them easier to blend and cook. Plus, it promotes the breakdown of phytic acid and other antinutrients that inhibit the absorption of minerals and nutrients from these grains.
2. Blend the soaked grains with water and dates to get a light batter
3. Cook the porridge for 15-20 minutes with the spices, stirring occasionally. Millet and sorghum can thicken up so if the porridge is getting too thick, always add more water.
4. Top with nuts and/or seeds, sugar and plant-based milk.

Best toppings for the porridge

Ghanaian porridges are usually served with peanuts and sugar, but use whatever toppings you prefer. I usually enjoy a mix of nuts and seeds, such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, almonds, and peanuts. Adding these plant fats makes this a more balanced breakfast.

How to store the porridge

A little bit of millet and sorghum and offer you a lot of porridge. If there are leftovers, you can store the porridge in the fridge and reheat it the next day. The porridge will solidify, so to reheat, loosen it up with water and heat it in the microwave for a couple of minutes till it is hot.