What is Porridge?

Porridge is a soft food with a creamy or mushy consistency that's typically served warm. It is made by boiling together any chopped or crushed grain or starchy plants with a liquid such as milk or water.

The most common versions (at least here in the U.S) are served for breakfast but different variations are served for other meals.

Porridge is ancient dish that has been around for thousands of years and has been a cheap and comforting dish that has fed many civilizations.

There are many variations, a few of the most well known types are made using rice, cornmeal, oats, and wheat.

I have tried several different grain blends for porridge and this was my favorite blend including the steel cut oats, farro and amaranth.

I think you'll love this version of porridge too! It's something the whole family can enjoy (even my kids love it!).

Thanks to the Michigan Cherry Committee for sponsoring this post!

Cold and Refreshing Farro Salad

This is my idea of the best farro salad! Made with an abundance of fresh ingredients, a nice blend of textures and a delicious balance of flavors. It's sure to be the highlight of any meal!

It's savory, sweet, tangy, tart, vibrant, perfectly simple and yet it's a salad you'll remember.

The star of the salad is not only the farro but also the Montmorency dried cherries. You'll love their concentrated, unique, and exciting flavor and chewy texture.

They make for a great snack, a delicious salad topping, and are so tasty mixed into oatmeal or baked goods.

Farro Salad Video

[wprm-recipe-video]

A few benefits and details about Montmorency Tart Cherries:

• Did you know Michigan Montmorency tart cherries are a natural food source of melatonin? Studies have shown that consumption of tart cherry juice can prevent insomnia and improve the quality and duration of sleep.
• They are a heart healthy fruit. Studies indicate that they may help lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides and reduce inflammation.
• They may help naturally reduce inflammation related to arthritis and gout.
• You can find them available year round in dried, frozen, canned or juice form.
• By choosing these you are supporting locally American-grown fruit (75% of these cherries are grown in Michigan, the other 25% elsewhere in the U.S.).
• When purchasing your Montmorency cherries, look for “U.S. Grown” or “Product of the U.S.A” to make sure you are getting real U.S. Montmorency tart cherries”
• Imported tart cherries are boxed in shipping containers and may travel more than 5,000 miles before reaching your grocery store. Michigan Montmorency cherries go from a U.S. farm to your local grocery store (See photo referral below for a comparable, the cherries above are Michigan Montmorency while the cherries below are imported).
• They are also available in a sweetened variety which is what I opted to use here since we've already used a tart dressing.

You'll love these deeply colored, juicy jewels as the perfect finishing touch to this full flavored salad!

The Perfect Way to Use Farro

I'm loving all the summer salads lately! This Kale Grape and Farro Salad is so refreshing and it's packed with healthy ingredients.

I love that it uses tender baby kale leaves rather than the tougher, heavier curly kale which has a rougher, stronger flavor.

Pair the kale with fresh crisp grapes, salty feta, crunchy walnuts, a zesty dressing, and hearty farro and you've got a salad worth remembering!