Autumn Millet porridge with stewed pears and almonds

A perfect choice for children and adults alike. Pears and millet together make a classic Lung and Spleen nourishing autumn recipe. In Chinese dietary therapy both pears and almonds moisten and support the Lungs. Millet is considered the best grain for the digestion in TCM, strengthening immunity at this time of year. Millet is high in vitamins and minerals and its low glycemic index means it is a good choice of grain for regulating blood sugar. Barnyard millet has the Lowest GI amoung millets so use this if possible). I add an egg or two to the porridge at the end when I am blitzing it (without the children knowing!) to add even more nutritional value and some protein to balance the sugars . Trust me, this addition is suprisingly delicious and makes it even more creamy. This porridge is also excellent for women following the birth of a child.

SERVES 5

Ingredients

1 cup of whole millet (barnyard millet if possible)

1 tsp cinnamon

4x cups of milk of your choice (I like to use almond as it benefits the lungs and is protein rich). You can also use half milk half water.

2 pinches of salt

Half a cup of almonds/other nuts (or nut butter if you don’t have)

4x pear

2 tsp of honey

Method

• Soak 1 cup of whole millet overnight with just enough water to cover.

• In the morning add the 4 cups of milk/water and the cinnamon and salt to the millet and gently simmer.

• Chop pears into slices (skin on) and add them to a pan with 2 tsp of honey and gently simmer with lid on.

• Pop the almonds in the oven with an 8 min timer on to toast.

• When the millet has been simmering for about 20-30mins and the grains seem cooked and falling apart a bit you can use a hand blender to blitz the porridge. At this point you can add a little more milk/water if you prefer a looser consitency. I add a raw egg or 2 at this point, blitz and then take it off the heat (the egg cooks in the warm porridge but you can’t see it so fussy children don’t notice! ). Remove pear from the heat if tender.

• Serve a generous portion of porridge with the stewed pears on top and a sprinkle of almonds. You can also add a blob of nut butter if you don'‘t have almonds). Sweeten with a little honey.

The Blossom Tree Clinic is an Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Clinic in Totnes Dartington with specialised Children’s and Pregnancy Clinics. If you would like to book in with one of our practitioners please head to our BOOKING PAGE