Ingredients to keep in store include:
Porridge Oats – Jumbo Oats give the porridge more texture, but take longer to cook. And bearing in mind you wont be in a hurry these are a good choice. But you can always make it the night before. However if you like a smoother porridge, the quick oats, which are much smaller are a perfect alternative.
Milk – Full cream cow’s milk gives richness to porridge but sweetened soya milk adds creaminess and sweetness that is delicious. It also adds a creamy colour.
Sugar – I don’t add sugar to my porridge but many people like to, so if you want sugar, go for muscovado. It’s dark colour and rich flavour really makes sweet porridge sing. If the flavour of muscovado is too much for you go for demerara.
Nuts & Seeds – These add texture and more protein to the dish, so I always keep in stock flaked almonds, sunflower seeds, chopped hazelnuts, pistachio nuts and any others you fancy.
Spices – Ground Cinnamon, grated nutmeg (use very sparingly)
Fruit – I keep plump seedless raisins, dried figs and apricots in my larder and they are perfect in porridge, adding texture, fibre and sweetness. Bananas, strawberries and blueberries go well too and these are particularly nice in overnight oats. The raisins are even nicer soaked in rum! I wouldn’t recommend more acidic fruits like blackcurrants or kiwi in porridge because I feel the acid spoils the flavour. Strangely though they work fine in overnight oats.
Cream – Double or the Soya equivalent.
All the above can have vegan and gluten free alternatives – gluten free oats and soya or almond milk, for instance.
And now for the important extra ingredients
Don’t worry about getting expensive brands of alcohol unless you have a particular palate for the ones you like. I am happy to shop for the Lidl or Aldi copies.
Advocaat, doesn’t have to be Warninks, Rum, Old Hopking is a good one, and Amaretto are my main go tos but you can also add Blended or Malt Whisky, Tia Maria, Malibu and other liqueurs as they provide that all important sweetness without the strong abv. I am not suggesting for a moment that you put all of these into one bowl of porridge!!! Advocaat plus one other of the above is quite sufficient. See recipes for details.
All the above are suitable for vegans except Advocaat, because it contains egg yolk, giving it that yellow colour. However I suspect some of the cheaper alternatives might use extra colouring!