I don’t get up early for many things. Come the weekend, if I must rise before 9am I become a crankypants of the most irritable sort and it takes a lot of good food and shopping to get me back to normal (whatever normal is for me). This weekend was different however. I needed to rise at 4am and not only this, but I had to do it 2 days in a row (but once you hear why, you’ll understand why I didn’t kvetch too much). And I needed to make myself a breakfast that wasn’t too taxing but would mean that I wouldn’t wilt come 8am.
This breakfast was riddled with inspiration. I first read about the idea of Chai Porridge Oats with stewed Rhubarb only a couple of days before on Betty’s site and I immediately thought “what a brilliant idea!” and saved the idea until the weekend. I pondered it further thinking to myself rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb as they say, and then I suddenly recalled wanting to replicate the rhubarb and pear compote I had eaten at Le Grand Cafe a month or two earlier. I had loved the stuff so much I had asked if it were available for purchase even asking Justin North (yes my stomach really does the talking) who said there were plans for it to be made in the future.
Slightly placated knowing that I could at some stage in the future purchase some, the urgency died but the urge didn’t so I decided to make my own. It was easy, rhubarb is in season now and its glorious magenta stems can be seen everywhere at very reasonable prices. The oats were delicious if I do say so rather boastfully and Mr NQN asked for seconds (there weren’t any so I just made a second lot). From begining to end the whole thing took about 10-15 minutes which was entirely doable even on this early, early Sunday morning. And what got me up this early my Dear Readers? Ahh that’s a secret until tomorrow although I’m sure 6,000 Sydney siders can probably guess!
So tell me Dear Reader, what gets you up on a Sunday morning? The promise of breakfast? Children? Or horrifyingly, an alarm?
Chai Porridge Oats with Rhubarb & Pear Compote
An Original recipe by Not Quite Nigella
Serves 2
For Chai Porridge Oats
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2 cups milky chai tea
- 1/2 cup sugar (or to taste)
Rhubarb & Pear Compote
- 1 bunch of rhubarb (6 stalks approximately, washed and trimmed and cut into pieces)
- 3 pears, cored and cut into pieces
- 1 cup water
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
1. Firstly, get started on the compote as that takes slightly longer. Place water and sugar in a medium saucepan and dissolve sugar on medium-high heat. Add rhubarb and cook until rhubarb is tender (about 5-10 minutes) and then add pear in during the last 2-3 minutes if the pear ripe or 5 minutes if hard. Add vanilla and stir.
2. Meanwhile, while compote is cooking, make porridge by combining chai and oats in a small saucepan and cooking until done (about 5 minutes). Add in sugar and taste. Ladle oatmeal into bowls and add some rhubarb and pear compote.
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now? 
NQN on Facebook
RSS
52 Comments | Add your own
Breakfast on the Bridge, perhaps?
I just hope it won’t rain!
I love the idea of chai in your cereal =D. I’m on the fence with oats, as they don’t always agree with me, but this would work beautifully with quinoa flakes. Yum.
I am a big fan of oats. My mum used to make slow cooked oats that I would have with milk, honey and toasted pine nuts. But rhubarb. I’m actually a rhubarb virgin.
Oh a good question Lorraine. I went to bed at 2:30am this morning (which is waaay past my normal bed time
) and my stupid body clock woke me up at 7:15am! .. not impressed.
However, seeing this post makes me look forward to some brunchtime adventures. I love chai!
Have a good Sunday, and no more 4am wakeups!
x
Ah, I love my oats, and try to eat them everyday. And I make mine chai spiced, by adding a pinch of my homemade chai spice mix to my porridge while cooking. Porridge without now seems entirely bland!
Well now doesn’t this look fabulously interesting. And healthy. As always, great pictures. I think I need to experiment with my daily oatmeal! Thanks for the inspiration.
I do oats several times a week. What gets me up on Sunday though is my hubby’s cappuccino and I’m a news junkie. And we in America have a rabid,and rapid paced news scene. I’m hooked.
i get up somewhere between 530-630am nowadays. thats when Sam (our 9mth old) wakes up!
i went searching for rhubard yesterday but no luck in the market that usually sells it for $3.99/kg. Oh well! Will have to make this – we are oat fans!
I am a big fan of rhubarb! That porridge must taste really good! A great idea.
Cheers,
Rosa
Brilliant recipe!
I love oats – and this looks so easy! Yum
Think I might have to go to T2 to get some of their chai mix. Hmmm 
as for waking up – well I’m usually up around 5:30 on weekdays so 7:30am on weekends is considered a sleep in. Hehe
Ooh I do love my daily porridge, though I’m a steelcut convert. Think I’ll have to experiment with chai-ing it up!
The only things that get me up early on a Sunday are going out for breakfast, driving to Geraldton to visit my family (4.5 hour drive) or more commonly.. to get to the gym. This morning though it was a bright shaft of sunlight through my blinds that woke me early. Grumble grumble.
Wow this looks awesome! I must try this one out – thanks for the recipe! I definitely get up for breakfast!
You really are very clever – I love the originality of the food you cook. Brilliant stuff!
Chai Tea is my coffee these days, but never tried it in porridge oats. Looks great.
What gets me up Sundays? My kitty cat Creamy. She wakes me up most mornings by licking my face!! LOL
No points for guessing Breakfast on the Sydney Harbour bridge which is something I desperately wanted to do but family circumstances put a brake on that idea:-( I hope the organisers will have it again next year. Shame about the weather but I’m sure a great time will be had by all.
The porridge looks great , I love rhubarb in just about anything and besides eggs ,porridge is the best filling breakfast for me.
Curiouser and curiouser! I’m bookmarking this for next year when my rhubarb is ready for harvest! It sounds fabulous!
I am a strange one. I have no trouble getting out of bed on Saturday morning. It’s the promise of all that free time to do with as I please. It’s also the promise of the start of a weekend full of decadent eating.
OOoooh Chai porridge!? Rhubarb? Nice! I love this combo. Sounds perfect for the morning!
What gets me up Sunday mornings? Well THIS Sunday morning, it’s kids getting up and ready for pony club from 6.15am. And I failed to get my essential morning caffeine hit when we were called out to hunt for premature calf mid-PC-preparation. No, we didn’t find the calf. Yes, we did get to pony club. No, I didn’t take enough cold water. Yes, I left half the truck gearbox on the steepest hill on the way home. Yes, the kids slept the whole way home. AND YES… I am soooo ready for a real coffee now, it ain’t funny…
Thanks for asking!
BB
I am a big fan of porridge, and I am incapable of making it without adding spice. I am quite keen to try this recipe, it does look good. And I do love an excuse for using rhubarb in a recipe (you don’t get a lot of those chances).
I rarely get out of bed on a Sunday for any reason other than I am ‘done’ sleeping. Sometimes that is 5 am, but mostly it is around 7 am. And I have a lazy Sunday breakfast; this morning fresh coffee and poached eggs on rye toast. It is my favourite day of the week to make breakfast and I am very happy to add another breakfast recipe to my repertoie.
O I just love Rhubarb [look at that colour]. Will definitely be trying this recipe. Thanks.
Anyway, I’m a food science student conducting a research survey on the purchase of specialty food products. Feel free to help me fill out my short 8 min research survey. It’s completely voluntary.
cheers,
foodieguy
ohh i love chai! so i think i would love this! but ive never really had rhubarb… such a wuss
Brilliant…wow! Am entirely envious of your rhubarb! I’ve never seen it in my lfe! Looks lovely! Mmmmmmmmmm…
What a marvellous breakfast!
MMMMMMMMMM,…just georgous, Lorraine!
That looks so deliciously fragrant and a lovely way to ease into the morning. Sadly with a two year old there is no easing into anything! A huge bowl of caffe latte is there to perk me up though with hubby on the espresso machine.
haha im quite the opposite of you I think, i cant sleep in past 7… maybe 7:30 even on the weekend!!
i have the most energy in the morning
your breakfast sounds delicious though, i used to make chai spiced porridge alot at the start of winter.. yum!
Congratulations Lorraine – you are one of the few people that can make healthy look really delicious as well! I’m not a big oats eater but this ONE looks really GOOD!
Fab looking porridge – I must say I’d get up early on Sunday for that (but not 4am!).
you know what gets me up early? my stinkin’ biological clock–i can’t sleep late for the life of me unless i’m sick or completely exhausted. breakfast is usually the motivating force to actually get out of bed though.
chai spices in oats is a great idea, and your topping sounds delightful!
ooh yuumm! I would get up at 4am for this! (but most definitely fall back asleep after finishing it all hee hee)
I just made my oatmeal with chocolate chai and homemade apple sauce. I may try it with caramel chai tomorrow. I do have a bit of a sweet tooth.
Chai porridge sounds fantastic, and the rhubarb topping is lovely! I pull myself out of bed on Sunday because it’s the one day I indulge in a trip to a nearby bakery for pastries and cappuccino.
Yum! I love chai and I love oatmeal! I can’t wait to try this!
I would gladly get out of bed very early if someone would serve me THIS for breakfast! Fantastic! I must say that husband pushed me out of bed the other day at 4:45 a.m. so I could pop my homemade croissants into the oven. Heavens! Not happy to be up that early but a warm wonderful homemade croissant, like your oatmeal, brings the smile back!
I love oats, especially all dressed up and gorgeous like these! On Sunday mornings I get up with thoughts of hubby’s famous Sunday brunch! (It’s the one meal a week my husband cooks.
)
I have oats every weekend but nothing as fancy as this! Looks so good!
Had some Chai gelati yesterday which was delicious and am looking forward to trying your Chai oats and Rhubarb … sounds yummy
Thanks for linking to me
Mm the rhubarb and pear compote sounds delicious!
I’m a morning person, so I usually wake up around 5-5:30am, and get out of bed between 6-6:30am… yes, even on a Sunday! I just love dark, quiet mornings, and perfect for savoring this bowl of yummy oatmeal.
Alarms? On Sunday? Never.
Well unless I’m on call that weekend of course. (Speaking of which I once almost overslept during a weekend call coz my alarm is only set for Mon-Fri, haha.)
I think this looks delicious, and is just in time for the cold weather we’re getting here!
And lucky you – getting to dine on the Sydney Harbour Bridge! Such a good idea. Now I wonder if we’ll have something like that on the Tower Bridge… hmmm. Somehow I am doubtful.
I love Chai so I may consider to try and make this. A tad odd but I do like odd foods. I should have more rhuburb before they run out too.
Taking blog photos at sunrise does sound ambitious! I love rhubarb.
love th redish color
and m gonna try this porridge sometime sooner!! thanx for sharing!
cheers!!
That looks so gorgeous! I love rhubarb. And chai spices…yum.
Yum! I love chai and I love oats. Which type of chai did you use? Self-made or store-bought?
Hi Maria-Haha you are too good!
Hi Lauren-Ahh yes quinoa would be great for this!
Hi Katherine-Oooh slow cooked ones sound interesting! OH no, really? Oh you must!
Hi Iron Chef Shellie-Oh no! 7:15am on a Sunday! You poor thing!
Haha wonderful and thankyou! 
x
Hi Reemski-I know what you mean, you really miss the spice don’t you!
Hi Lea Ann-Thankyou so much!
Hehe it’s fun to add a little twist now and then (time permitting of course 
)
Hi Angela-Haha you have him doing a cappucino? Could he speak to my husband?
Hi Kylie-Oh yes I’ve heard babies like early morning! It’s one of those things you sometimes don’t see I agree. Wonderful!
Hi Rosa-Me too! Thankyou!
Hi Moya-Thankyou!
Hi Esz-It is really easy honestly
Fabulous! Oh I wish I could be like that! 
Hi Conor-I can’t seem to find steel cut oats (or maybe I’m looking at the wrong place). Ahh well they all seem like good things (except for the gym hehe) but I always think that sleeping in is one of life’s greatest pleasures!
Hi Madelin-Thankyou!
Hi Sarah-Aww thankyou! You are too kind!
Hi Adrian-Thanks, it’s fabulous! Haha oh that sounds so sweet!
Hi Matilda-Haha well you guessed it! I hope they do too and they really did get some amazing weather!
Hi Barbara-Wonderful! I’d love to know what you think of it!
Hi romaverona-Hehe I get up if I know something exciting is going to happen!
Hi rose-Thanks so much!
Hi Bush Babe-6:15am?
Wow who knew that they scheduled things that early! Oh you poor thing! 
Hi Theresa-Haha fabbo! Yes any excuse for some rhubarb!
5am? I wish I needed less sleep! I agree Sunday breakfasts are amazingly good! 
Hi Foodieguy-Agreed, something that marvelously red can’t be bad! Hey you’ve left that comment a few times already. Please no spam
Hi a girl called e-Thankyou! Oh it’s lovely!
Hi deeba-Oh really? You don’t get it near you? I had no idea!
Hi Sophie-Thankyou so much!
Hi cherryblossomcupcake-Thankyou! Ahh of course you’ve already got your hands full!
Hi buggy-I wish I was like that! I’d get so much more done!
Fantastic! 
Hi Trissa-Hehe thankyou!
Honestly it’s great!
Hi Cakelaw-Haha I don’t blame you, 4 am is damn early!
Hi grace-Oh if only I could be like you but I love my sleep!
Haha spoken like a true food blogger! 
Hi Ffichiban-Haha cool! Now that’s a plan too!
Hi Margaret-Ooh interesting I like the sound of that!
Hi lisa-Thankyou so much! Ahh totally understandable then!
Hi Erin-Fabulous! I hope you like it!
Hi Jamie-Hehe the trick is to get someone to make it for us!
Ahhh he must love them! 
Hi Faith-That’s fabulous, could he have a word to Mr NQN who cooks once every 2 years?
Hi pigpigscorner-It’s so simple but good, honest!
Hi Chris-Oh that sounds lovely!
Thankyou!
Hi Betty-You’re welcome!
It’s so good!
Hi Palidor-Even on a Sunday, wow!
That is true, it’s very quiet that early on a Sunday! 
Hi Su-yin-Hehe yes they’re needed then aren’t they! Haha that has happened to my husband! That would be amazing, hey if they could do it here, they could do it there!
Hi penny-If you love chai then I think you might like this!
Hi Arwen-It was ambitious but a once in a lifetime opportunity!
Hi nora-Thankyou! I love the colour of rhubarb
You’re welcome!
Hi anna-Fabulous! I hope you like it!
Hi Jay I use both chai tea leaves and also chai tea powder. I used a brand called Pure Chai
hmm I might need to wander up to T2 as well to restock my chai supply.
Oh! I can’t wait to make this.
Tracked this from Frills in the Hills again – of the three recipes I really liked the look of so far two have turned out to be yours
I grew up with rhubarb growing in the garden and always have some even when nothing else is growing – I make a big batch of baked rhubarb with orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla bean paste, roasted in the oven for about 15 mins. I have this on my porridge throughout winter. But I have never thought of adding chai tea to the oats. I’m going to do it tonight (I soak mine overnight to make a creamier result the next day). Thanks for the great idea!
I just cooked this for breakfast, delicious
One Trackback/Pingback
[...] of my favourite breakfasts is the Chai spiced oatmeal with rhubarb topping and one of the easiest ways to make this is with Pure Chai Chai Powder. It comes in two flavours: [...]
Post a Comment