Autumn has arrived in Wandiligong, Alpine Victoria. And that means one thing…Chestnuts! This recipe takes a simple bowl of oats and packs it with all the yummy goodness of local produce. It’s super cheap and easy to make on a camp stove. And, we’ve found no need for maple syrup, honey or sugar in this recipe, as the dates are full of sweetness.

One bowl of this will warm you up from the inside, which is just in time for us – the temperature is dropping fast now and a bowl of steaming porridge is the perfect kickstart to our misty mornings. YUM!

p.s. For more chestnut hedonism, don’t miss the Wandi Nut Festival. It’s Australia’s only nut festival and takes place in May.

Ingredients (Per bowl)

Cup of rolled oats

Water

4 (ish) chestnuts, boiled and peeled

4 (ish) dates (add more if you like your porridge sweet!)

Sprinkling of seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, goji berries, linseeds etc)

Method

Roughly chop the chestnuts and dates. Throw them with the rolled oats into a saucepan and pour enough water to cover the mixture.

Bring to the boil while stirring continuously. Turn down the heat to a simmer and stir occasionally.

Once the porridge has thickened just the way you like it and the dates are oozing with sugary sweetness, take it off the heat and spoon into a bowl. Better yet, just leave it in the saucepan and save on washing up 🙂

Sprinkle the seed mixture on top. Dig in!