Creamy, sweet and filling are just some of the words use to describe this delicious easy Jamaican Cornmeal porridge. This breakfast item is a healthy and tasty way to start your day. Chia seeds and oats are added to this traditional Jamaican hot cereal, not only for texture but also for nutritive value.
What’s For Breakfast In Jamaica?
Growing up, porridge is often on the breakfast menu in our home. If you live in or visited Jamaica, you would observe that our breakfast is very heavy; it’s like eating lunch or diner for breakfast. In addition, porridge is served as a side dish at breakfast.
A sandwich made of 2 thick slices of hard dough bread, a fried egg, ripe plantains, and frankfurter, were often served with one of my favorite porridge. Yes, it sounds like a lot, but it kept us filled until lunchtime. In addition, engaging in some form of physical activities at home or at school.
Types of Jamaican Porridge
There are different types of porridge that exist in Jamaica. Below are a few popular ones:
Banana Porridge
Peanut Porridge
Bulgar Porridge
Plantain Porridge
Rice Porridge
Here are 2 of my favorite Jamaican Porridge recipes that you can access on this blog. Click on each link to learn more:
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Healthy Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge With Oats and Chia Seeds.
Here are all the ingredients you will need.
Below are some amazon ingredient links for your shopping convenience.
Fine Cornmeal
salt
cinnamon Sticks
Quaker Oats
Vanilla Extract
cinnamon Sticks
whole Milk
Coconut Extract
Chia Seeds
Nutmeg
Coconut Milk
Condensed Milk
Your kitchen will need one of these kitchen cookwares. Click on each for more detailed information and your shopping convenience.
Healthier Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge With Oats and Chia Seeds
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Stove
- Blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup Old Fashion Oats, blended
- ¾ cup Fine Cormeal
- 2¼ cups Whole Milk
- 2 cups Water
- 1 tbsp. Vanilla Extract
- 2 tsp. Nutmeg, grated
- 1 tsp Coconut Essence
- ½ cup Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 2 sticks Cinnamon
- 3 Whole Cinnamon or Bay Leaves
- 1 tsp. Salt
- 2 tbsp Chia Seeds
Instructions
- In a blender, on medium speed, blend old fashion oatmeal for 15 seconds.
- In an uncovered deep pot, add milk, water, cinnamon sticks, and bay leaves. Bring to boil over medium heat. Stir and mix frequently to avoid milk boiling over the side of the pot.
There are 2 methods for cooking the Cornmeal/Oats
- Method 1Slowly, in small portions, add the powdered oats and cornmeal to the milk mixture while constantly stirring with a whisk to avoid clumping.Method 2In a bowl, you may mix together the cornmeal, oats, milk, and water until smooth. Add to a deep pot and cook over medium flame.
- Allow cooking for 7-10 minutes in a covered pot. You may add more warm water or milk as needed if porridge gets too thick.
- Lower flame to low. Pour the condensed milk, coconut essence, vanilla extract, and chia seeds into the porridge mixture. Use a whisk to stir and mix with a whisk.
- Turn off flame and serve in a bowl.
Notes
Healthy Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge with Chia Seeds and Oats.
You will also love this delicious and popular Jamaican Hominy Corn porridge.
Click on the picture or name for the recipe and more interesting facts about hominy corn.
Healthier Cornmeal Porridge with Oats and Chia Seeds.
Deddy's Kitchen is one of my favorite Jamaican Youtubers. Here are their take on traditional cornmeal porridge.
Michelle and Suzanne on their blog Serious Eats also showcased their cornmeal porridge skill. They give a few historic backgrounds on the delicious cornmeal porridge recipe.
I would love to know what you think. Please leave a comment and star rating. What is your favorite hot cereal?
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This sounds delicious — and I’ve just bought some oatmeal today too! Great idea!
Thank you Molly. I appreciate you dropping by. See you again soon.
This porridge looks so tasty!! I can almost “smell” those spices!! That sounds just right about the way I grew up too (in Grenada). Our breakfast was very heavy and keeps us full. I often wonder why all of the snacking here in the US and I realize most eat some quick and on the go, therefore, get hungrier faster. One big heavy breakfast and then a big afternoon meal plus something light in the evening/night with a few mangoes or cashews in-between was all we needed. LOL!
I appreciate you dropping by. I agree with you, snacks ( cookies, chips, candy) here in the US are different from the Caribbean, at least back in the day. Our snacks were fruits that were in season. Thanks for your comment. Hope to see you again soon.
I hadn’t heard of cornmeal porridge before. I thought porridge was only made with oats. So I learnt something new, besides a new recipe that sounds delicious
Unwanted Life, as I encouraged you before, take a trip to Jamaica. You will fall in love with our food culture.
This looks so delicious and healthy, love the idea..
Chia seeds make everything taste better!
Yummm these various types of porridge sound so delicious. Thank you so much for sharing. I’ve tasted green banana porridge but not these. I also appreciated you including options outside of regular milk. 🤗
Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)
Letstakeamoment.com
Thank you. I am glad you appreciated the non-dairy version of the porridge. Please drop by again.
This sounds delicious! I always enjoy cinnamon and nutmeg together, and hot cereals are one of my favorites. Thank you for sharing!
It sounds delicious!! I love anything with cinnamon!
I love Chia seeds and this recipe is for keeps. Thank you for sharing.
This looks delicious! Will definitely be making this tomorrow!
Sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing. That does sound like a lot for breakfast though but I’m not a morning person haha.
This porridge looks sooo good and filling! Love the addition of cinnamon and the fact that you can replace the dairy products with non-dairy options! Thank you for sharing!
Such a hearty and healthy recipe. Looks scrumptious. Love to try it.
This Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge looks delicious! Love that it’s healthy too!
I discovered the superfood chia a few years ago, and I love it! This recipe sounds so tasty, so I will definitely try it. Thanks for sharing! :)
I’ve never tried this type of dish before. Looks really yummy! Perfect way to kickstart your day. Thank you for sharing this x