Finnish Christmas Porridge
Finnish Christmas Porridge – comforting, rich, and warming porridge that we eat during Christmas time in Finland. It symbolizes the beginning of the Christmas holidays.
Traditionally the porridge is made with porridge rice, but you can also make it with oat kernels like I did in this recipe. Slowly cooked oat kernels will bring a similar texture to the porridge that you would get with using rice, but the flavors and overall consistency are a bit different.
When you make a larger batch for your family or friends, there’s a tradition to hide an almond in the porridge, and whoever gets a plate of porridge with the almond, is the lucky one!
This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and super simple to make!
You can eat finnish Christmas porridge with…
- Homemade Berry Kissel (recipe below!)
- Cinnamon sugar
- Cinnamon and sautéed apples
- Your favorite nuts and berries
FINNISH CHRISTMAS PORRIDGE RECIPE
Serves 2-3
- 2 dl or 0,8 cups oat grains (also known as oat kernels)
- 4 dl or 1,6 cups of water
- 8 dl or 3,2 cups of plant-based milk
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Wash your oat grains thoroughly (I soaked them in hot water for 10-20 minutes, but this is optional) and measure 4 dl water into a large saucepan. Bring the water to a boil and add your oat grains. Boil them until the water is fully soaked (about 15 min) and add oat milk & pinch of salt. Let it simmer over low-medium heat for 45 minutes, giving it a mix occasionally. Use this time to make your berry kissel!
- Take the porridge off the heat and add vegan butter (optional). Serve it warm with kissel or cinnamon sugar (equal parts of cinnamon and coconut sugar) and enjoy <3
Tips and notes
Note! You need to use oat kernels for this recipe, rolled or quick oats will not work 😉 You can swap out the oat kernels and prepare this Christmas porridge with porridge rice! Just wash the rice well and cook the porridge the same way.
STRAWBERRY KISSEL RECIPE
- 250 g frozen berries (I used strawberries and blueberries)
- 6 dl or 2,4 cups water
- 2 tablespoons potato starch
- 1-3 tablespoons honey or preferred sweetener (add more if you like it sweeter)
Instructions
- Measure 5 dl water into a saucepan and bring it to a boil.
- Mix 1 dl water with potato flour and pour it into the water slowly, mixing constantly.
- Add strawberries & sweetener and simmer over low to medium heat until the berries are starting to break up. This takes around 10-15 minutes.
More porridge recipes 🌻
Persimmon Oatmeal (takes under 10 minutes to make!)