Creamy Latvian Buckwheat Porridge

Ingredients

• 1 cup (180g) buckwheat groats 1 cup (180g) buckwheat groats
• 2 cups (470ml) milk 2 cups (470ml) milk
• 2 cups (470ml) water 2 cups (470ml) water
• 1 cinnamon stick 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 cardamom pods, lightly crushed 3 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
• 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons honey
• Pinch of salt Pinch of salt

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 4g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 47g, 10g
• Protein: 9g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the buckwheat groats under cold water to remove any impurities.
2. 2.
   In a large saucepan, combine the milk, water, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
3. 3.
   Add the rinsed buckwheat groats to the saucepan and stir well.
4. 4.
   Reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan. Allow the porridge to simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the buckwheat is tender and the mixture has thickened, stirring occasionally.
5. 5.
   Remove the cinnamon stick and cardamom pods from the porridge.
6. 6.
   Stir in the honey until well combined.
7. 7.
   Serve the creamy buckwheat porridge warm in bowls, garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Buckwheat groats — Make sure to rinse the groats thoroughly before cooking to remove any bitterness.
• Cinnamon stick — If you don't have a cinnamon stick, you can substitute with 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
• Cardamom pods — Lightly crushing the cardamom pods helps release their flavor. If you don't have cardamom pods, you can use 1/4 teaspoon of ground cardamom instead.
• Honey — Adjust the amount of honey according to your desired level of sweetness.

Tips & Tricks

• For a creamier texture, you can substitute some of the water with additional milk.
• Feel free to add your favorite toppings such as fresh berries, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of maple syrup for extra flavor and texture.
• Leftover porridge can be refrigerated and reheated the next day. Add a splash of milk while reheating to restore its creamy consistency.
• Experiment with different spices like nutmeg or ginger to customize the flavor profile of the porridge.
• If you prefer a thinner consistency, add more milk or water during cooking.

Serving advice

Serve the Creamy Latvian Buckwheat Porridge warm in bowls. It can be enjoyed as a comforting breakfast or a satisfying dessert. Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon on top for an extra touch of aroma and presentation.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can garnish the porridge with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a drizzle of honey. Serve it in beautiful ceramic bowls or traditional Latvian pottery to showcase the cultural aspect of the dish.