The Alpro #Deskfest Challenge – Monday Mornings
Oh gosh, Monday morning. It’s been a while since I’ve really dreaded the dastardly M word – but at the same time I suppose I’ve never really been one to skip my way to work! You need something to look forward to – you’ve (hopefully!) had a lovely weekend, so let’s keep that buzz in your heart and have something to look forward to once you plop yourself down at that old familiar desk.
For me, Monday morning brekka has to be something exciting, delicious and quick to prepare. Porridge is pretty much my favourite breakfast choice – it is so versatile and warming. A creamy bowl of oats with exciting ingredients and toppings is a little bit of heaven in a bowl.
I prepare mine completely before I set off for work – leaving the cooking for when I arrive at the office, and the kettle is on for a warm mug of coffee.
Measure out a 1/4 of a cup of oats and a 1/2 of a cup of Alpro soya milk, and pop into some tupperware along with any extra ingredients that you fancy.
Once you’ve got to the office, pop your oats mixture into the microwave and cook for 2 minutes. Check the consistency and add some water if it’s looking a little too thick. Once cooked, stir through an extra dash of milk and any other ingredients you would like (*hint hint* peanut butter – another office drawer staple for me).
Look how inspiring this flavour board is!
Hello, caramel apple!
I can’t list all of the different combinations that I love to make, but here are my absolute favourites:
♥ Banana & Peanut Butter. Oh gosh, this is my absolute favourite flavour of oats (pictured above). And so simple to put together! Mash a banana into the oats and milk, add a generous sprinkling of cinnamon and cook in the microwave. Once your oats are ready, add a handful of almonds on top and plenty of peanut butter. Sigh.
♥ Carrot Cake. No, don’t grab a frosted slice and stir it into your oats (really, I don’t think that would taste any good – but you can always prove me wrong…!). Take the key ingredients of carrot cake and add them to your oats before cooking. Grate a carrot, zest an orange, add a generous sprinkling of cinnamon, a drop or two of vanilla extract, a handful of almonds and raisins, a squeeze of orange juice and you’re done! Pour on a spoonful or two (or three…!) of Alpro pouring yogurt once they are cooked, so that you even have that vanilla frosting flavour!
♥ White Chocolate & Cranberry. This is a bit of an extra special treat – chop up white chocolate into drop-sized bites, and add to your oats mix. Cook with half of the cranberries, adding the rest once your oats are cooked.
♥ Apple & Cinnamon. Such a classic! Grate an apple into the oats mixture and add a generous sprinkling of cinnamon. Once cooked, add another sprinkling of cinnamon to taste and maybe pop on a few almonds for good luck.
This was my flavour choice this morning – blueberry with plenty of cinnamon. It was a really simple combination, and set me up for a day of writing and catching up on emails.
What are your favourite oats recipes? Do you like to bring your breakfast to your desk?
Looks yum! Does this mean you’ve found a job seeing as you’re eating breakfast at the office?
Unfortunately not
these photos are set-up as part of the project x
Yum yum yum yum yum
I love the flavour board!! I love my Perk!er gingerbread porridge at the moment..it is just simply amazing! But if I want to create my own flavour combo I love almond cherry <3 Also chocolate orange is a bit of a nice treat 
I’m so pleased that there is a brand that makes GF porridge, it’s amazing! Almond cherry sounds GOOD! Like a bakewell tart!
Ohhhhhhh this is amazing. I never used to understand bloggers addiction to oatmeal/porridge until this winter and I’ve found myself totally addicted also…..please tell me where you got your cute red measuring spoons? Im always asking you this, but they are adorable! x
They were a gift yeaars ago, but I always see them in independent homeware shops.
Just found them reduced on the BHF website! http://giftshop.bhf.org.uk/product-heart-shape-measuring-cups.html
Amazing, thankyou lovely girl
No problem darling! They are a must for me as I use quite a lot of American recipes, and they only use cups!
Ooh la la! This is one of my favorite breakfasts as well. It never lets me down. My favorite combination (aside from the classic peanut butter and banana) is: Oatmeal + Cinnamon, Raisins, Walnuts, and Cranberries. It certainly makes for a mouthful, but it’s oh so good.
Ooh I love adding a load of random things, the more the merrier!
I love porridge, and having breakfast at work, but never knew how to make it unless I used those instant porridge pots. Sounds like such a good idea to soak the oats in the milk first! How long do they need to soak for? And do you just use regular oats or do they have to be quick cook?
Thanks
Cxxx
No I just use regular oats – I don’t soak for a specific amount of time, but I do measure out the milk at home so that I don’t need to guess when I get to the office
x
I had dates and walnuts the other morning, also been using alpro hazelnut milk, its delish!
I love dates in porridge!
My office is big on porridge! My top drawer is taken up with a bag of oats, a pot of cinnamon, and a jar of peanut butter… Everyone else uses the overpriced sachets, I just don’t get it! I always do banana and peanut butter (and get weird looks spooning peanut butter onto my porridge) but definitely need to start experimenting more (though maybe not at work, my snack drawer is already full to bursting)…
I’m glad I’m not the only one who had an office drawer stuffed with goodies! Making porridge yourself is SO much cheaper – like a tenth of the price.
Peanut butter is a must on porridge!!
I love having my breakfast and reading blogs at the same time- my 2 favourite things!
Oh gosh, YES!
I love orange, cranberry and macadamia porridge! Nothing much can beat porridge for breakfast on a cold day
Mmm macadamia nuts… now THAT sounds good!