Creamy Chocolate and Nut Porridge

This seems like an apt post for a Saturday morning, it has an indulgent feel to it from the chocolate and yoghurt that make it super creamy; but it is still packed with goodness, from the fibrous slow-release energy from the porridge oats, to the good fats and numerous health qualities of pecans. I add just a little dark chocolate to each portion to make it feel like a real luxurious treat, but you can always omit that.

This is a crowd-pleaser in my house, and if you've been training hard all week, I can assure it feels like such a reward breakfast. The below makes enough for x5-6 portions.

Creamy Chocolate and Nut Porridge

Here's how:

• 200g porridge oats (I use the Lidl Simply range)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 150ml milk (I use semi-skimmed)
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder (Green & Black's or the Cadbury's Bournville one are great quality)
• 2 tbsp fat free natural yoghurt
• 80g pecan nuts
• 2 squares of dark chocolate per portion

First pour the porridge oats into a heavy-bottomed pan, and pour on the milk. Place on a low heat and stir with a wooden spoon. Allow to cook at a low heat for three to four minutes, until the oats absorb the milk well.

In the meantime, take half of the pecans, and roughly chop and set aside.

Now remove the porridge from the heat and add the yoghurt and stir well. The porridge should take on a creamy texture now, and be cooled enough for little ones to eat right away.

Divide into bowls and scatter over the chopped nuts, and a few halved pecans.

Finally add the chocolate into the middle and allow each recipient to stir the chocolate through their bowl of porridge to add that final flourish of luxury. Enjoy!

Weaning Mashed Banana and Oat All-In-One Pancakes

These are a super quick pancake, filled with slow release energy from porridge oats and banana. Perfect for a baby led weaning breakfast, brunch or even lunch - they are super easy to hold and go down a treat with both my 7-month old and my (nearly) 3 year old. Finger foods never seem to go out of fashion the older my daughter Bridget gets. 

I adopt the 'all-in-one' method to most of the ingredients using a 'half a cup' measuring utensil so you get a perfectly close texture each time. They are a 'heavy' and filling pancake so don't dissolve in baby's hand either.

One banana mashed into the batter works well but you could just as easily use blueberries or strawberries. 

The below makes enough for two little ones plus a parent-sized portion, or you can wrap up and pop in the fridge for the following morning.

Weaning Mashed Banana and Oat All-in-One Pancakes

Here's how:

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup full fat milk
• 1/2 cup plain flour
• 1/2 cup porridge oats
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 banana 
• Little drizzle vegetable oil

Add a little drizzle of vegetable oil into a pan and place on a low heat. 

Into a mixing bowl, crack two large eggs, and add the 1/2 cup full of flour, oats and milk. Stir well with a fork until you gave a thick batter. 

Now drop in the banana and mash into the batter with the vanilla and stir well. 

Use a tablespoon to drop in several spoonfuls of the batter into the now hot-pan, ensuring they are spaced out enough not to combine in the pan. 

Allow to cook for 3-4 minutes and then flip, they should be golden brown, and cook for the same time on the other side. 

Serve with some fruit fingers. Enjoy!

Here are a few other pancake and other breakfast-bite recipes/ideas that are great for the weaning stage:

• Berry Yoghurt Pancakes
• Salmon and Dill Potato Pancakes
• Eggy Bread
• Banana and Oat Breakfast Muffins
• St Dalfour Porridge Fingers
• Courgette and Corn Pancakes
• Yoghurt and Banana

Baby Bites: St Dalfour Porridge Fingers

These are a great breakfast finger food for little ones during the weaning process and can be made plain to start with and then with a variety of flavourful things such as nut butters, curds, chocolate spread or, as I have here, with St Dalfour - natural fruit spread.

The below makes a single portion for my nine and a half month old and she absolutely loves them - very little ends up on the floor. However if you have a new weaner around the six month old mark, this might make two portions, as the final item is similar to a chewy granola, you could save for a snack later on.

It should be firm enough for little to hold but soggy enough for her to chew - depending on your microwave it might take a couple of attempts to work out how long you need. I find with nut butters and Nutella 1-2 minutes does it whereas the St Dalfour take slightly longer.

I serve with a selection of fruity finger foods.

3 tbsp wholegrain porridge oats
3 tbsp milk (I use semi skimmed, but you can use any)
1 tsp St Dalfour (any flavour)

In a microwavable bowl add the 3 tablespoons of porridge oats with the milk and combine with a spoon.

Stir in the St Dalfour and try to equally distribute as much as possible.

Using the back of the spoon press the oats down so they're packed as closely to the bottom of the bowl as possible.

Place into the microwave for 3 minutes.

Take out and if still very soggy, use a spoon to turn over and place back into the microwave for 30 seconds which should firm it up a little bit.

Take out and cut into fingers and place on a plate to cool down until cool enough for little one to handle.