Oatilicious! (Quaker Oats)

Member Name: ian22

Product:	Quaker Oats
Date:	22/08/06 (2124 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good for you, taste great

Disadvantages: None

I am not usually a fan of breakfast cereals, but do enjoy a nice bowl of porridge every now and then. We normally have a box of Quaker Porridge Oats in our house. A 1kg box will cost you between £1.28 and £1.43 from the main supermarkets, which is superb value for money and cheaper than many other popular breakfast cereals.

Let's start with a bit of background about porridge...

** WHAT IS PORRIDGE? **

Porridge is a simple dish made by boiling oats in water, milk or a combination of the both. It is traditionally eaten for breakfast, often with the addition of sugar or cream. In Scotland, it is a popular breakfast dish and is traditionally eaten with a sprinkling of salt. I won't be trying this myself!!

** IS IT GOOD FOR YOU? **

Porridge is one of the healthiest breakfast cereals. It has the highest protein content of any cereal and is rich in fibre which makes it excellent in preventing heart disease and illnesses like cancer. Oats are a form of 'soluble fibre' which absorb cholesterol directly from the bloodstream, thus reducing cholesterol levels.

Porridge is also surprisingly good for those trying to lose weight. It is low in calories but is still quite filling. This is because oats release energy gradually into the bloodstream, which make you less hungry throughout the day and less likely to want to eat mid-morning snacks.

Okay...back to the review.

** QUAKER PORRIDGE OATS **

Quaker is a well-known brand of porridge oats, which contains 100% rolled oats and no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. It must be one of the few breakfast cereals on the market which are 100% natural.

Quaker oats come in a unmistakably colourful box which hasn't changed much over the years. The top half is bright red and the bottom half is dark blue. There is a curvy yellow strip across the middle of the box and on top of this, a red heart, which is surrounded by a white halo effect. 'Quaker Oats' appears in bold white writing across the front and a spoon serving a delicious portion of porridge appears from the top right-hand corner of the box. Although the box looks attractive, its design and functionality are not as impressive.

The box is made from cardboard and, in my opinion, is not the best design for keeping the oats fresh for a period of time. There is a lift up flap on the top of the box which is supposed to fit back securely into a slot once you've finished pouring out the oats, but I do not think it does this satisfactorily. The oats are always at risk of escaping from the box and the flap does not ensure that the oats are kept fresh. This is the only criticism I have of the packaging, however, and it is one which is easily remedied by covering the lid with a bit of cling film, for example.

** DIRECTIONS **

Making porridge from Quaker Oats couldn't be easier. First of all, you need to place 45g (3/4 cupful) of oats into a microwaveable jug (pyrex) and add 320ml (1 and a half cups) of milk - or milk and water if you prefer. Then put the jug into the microwave for 3 or 4 minutes and cook on full power. Don't forget to handle the jug with care after cooking, as it will be very hot. Give the contents a stir. The porridge should be of the right consistency: not too thin and not too think and lumpy. Finally, pour the contents into a bowl and serve.

You can also cook porridge the conventional way by simmering it in a saucepan. This takes a bit longer than using a microwave (about 5 or 6 minutes) and is a nice way to make it as long as you can spare the time. I am always in a rush first thing in the morning getting ready for work and can't be bothered to stand stirring a saucepan!!

** APPEARANCE AND TASTE **

A good bowl of porridge should look creamy and similar in consistency to a rice pudding. In some respects, porridge looks a bit like the children's breakfast cereal, Ready Brek, but it is not as smooth and the oats are a lot larger and more visible.

As I said at the beginning, there are several ways to enjoy porridge. Some people like to eat it with a dash of milk or cream on top; others like a spoonful of marmalade, a sprinkling of sugar, or even a pinch of salt! I personally like a dash of milk and a bit of sugar just to add a little sweetness.

The best thing about porridge is that it has a wonderfully creamy texture and is always a pleasure to eat. It tastes very much like a creamed rice pudding but without the underlying sweetness. It is not salty like some cereals and, as you would expect, has a natural oaty flavour. Porridge is a warm, comforting cereal that you can enjoy at any time, safe in the knowledge that it is doing you good. I never feel hungry after eating a bowl of porridge in the morning, and on the majority of occasions, the hunger pains stay away until at least lunch time.

** NUTRITION INFORMATION **

100g of porridge provides you with:

Energy = 1500 kJ (356 calories)
Protein = 11.0g
Carbohydrate = 60.0g
Fat = 8.0g
Fibre = 9.0g
Sodium = Trace

A 1kg box contains approximately 22 servings.

Although Quaker Oats are made with 100% rolled oats, the box advises you that there may be traces of wheat and barley present too due to farming practices. If you are allergic to either of these, it is recommended that you do not try this product.

** WHAT I THINK **

Quaker Oats make the perfect bowl of porridge every time and I am very loyal to this particular brand for this reason. There are cheaper own label brands in the shops, for sure, but I am not always convinced that these are always the same in terms of quality. Quaker Oats are not only good value for money but also provide a quality breakfast cereal.

RECOMMENDED
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