Later this year I will be competing in the final of the World Porridge Making Championships so I have been practising my traditional Scottish porridge recipe and spurtle skills when out camping.
The rules of the competition limit the traditional Scottish porridge recipe to using only oatmeal, water & salt; which is all you need to make a quick & easy camping breakfast. It’s easy to pack and quick to cook, even on a Trangia stove.
In the video below I used a Go System Trangia Gas conversion kit. You can also cook porridge using a Trangia alcohol burner, it just takes slightly longer than when using the gas. You could also cook porridge the same way over an open fire or with another gas burner/camping stove.
I used a spurtle to stir the porridge, a wooden spoon will work but the spurtle is more traditional and allows you to get into the edges of the pan and produces a slightly creamier consistency.
World Porridge Making Championships
The World Porridge Making Championships take place on Saturday 8th October 2022. The competition is held in the small village of Carrbridge, in the Cairngorms National Park. Carrbridge is a lovely part of the Scottish Highlands and is well worth a visit, if you are passing nearby.
I will be vlogging my day in Carrbridge for the Camp Cook Explore YouTube channel.
Traditional Porridge Ingredients
Typically I tend to use 1 part oats to 2 parts water in my traditional porridge recipe. You can add more water if required.
I used Hamlyns Scottish Oatmeal and salt from the Isle of Skye Sea Salt Company in my recipe, both of whom are sponsors of the World Porridge Making Championships. Amazing, natural ingredients make for the best porridge!
For a much less traditional camping breakfast, you could also try my Marmite porridge recipe.
Traditional Scottish Porridge Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup oatmeal / porridge oats
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place oatmeal in a pan and gently toast the oats.1/2 cup oatmeal / porridge oats
- Add the water to the pan and bring to a boil.1 cup water
- Simmer until the porridge reaches a creamy consistency.
- Add salt (to taste) and then serve.1/2 teaspoon salt
- Optionally add toppings such as fruit, sugar, maple syrup etc…
