Fruit and nut spiced porridge

SERVES 2

50g jumbo oats

250ml unsweetened almond milk or

semi-skimmed milk

Pinch of sea salt flakes

½ tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp date syrup, plus extra to serve

(optional)

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

¼ tsp ground ginger

Grating of nutmeg

40g soft dried figs, chopped

40g fresh or frozen blackberries, plus extra

to serve TO SERVE 2 fresh figs, quartered 2 black plums, halved, stoned and sliced 20g hazelnuts, roughly chopped PLACE all the porridge ingredients except the dried figs and blackberries in a saucepan and cook over a low heat for 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture starts to thicken. Add the dried figs and blackberries and gently simmer for a further 2-3 minutes, breaking open the berries to release their juices, until thickened to your liking. Serve with the fresh figs, black plums, hazelnuts, extra blackberries and a further drizzle of date syrup to taste.

MIDLIFE TIP: Frozen berries are almost as good as fresh ones and are far cheaper — you can easily buy a ‘fruits of the forest’ mix in most supermarkets.