Porridge Championship

[Subdeacon Joe]

Who knew?  Fascinating.

"Details Matter

The only ingredients allowed in the traditional category are oats, water and salt. With only three ingredients, it’s crucial to get the technique right. Factors like the amount of water and salt you use, whether you mix different types of oats and whether you cook the porridge on the stovetop or in the microwave can have a big impact on the final dish. According to Leach, taking the time to make porridge on a stovetop, as the contestants were required to do, will yield the best results.

 

“Respect the base porridge,” Leach tells me. “Make sure you’ve unplugged the microwave first — put that away.”

 

Choose Your Oats Wisely

Since the little things make a difference, it’s no surprise that the type (or types) of oats you select can alter the cooking process and outcome. Championship regulations only allow unprocessed oatmeal — pinhead (also known as steel-cut), coarse, medium or fine — and exclude quick and rolled oats. Processed oats are more convenient; they’re often easier to find in grocery stores, and they cook in just a few minutes. In contrast, unprocessed oats can take 45 minutes to cook, according to Leach. The oat type also affects the flavor, texture and color of the porridge, which the contestants were judged on."

 

https://www.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/news/things-i-learned-from-the-world-porridge-making-championship