Sweet And Savory Whole Oats And Sweet Brown Rice Porridge

• 2/3 cup whole oat groats
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cinnamon stick, split in 2
• 1 two-inch piece of vanilla bean
• Small pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup sweet brown rice
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup homemade almond or cashew milk, or for a non-vegan porridge, half-and-half, or whole cream to taste (See note below.)
• Yellow raisins (optional)
• Jaggery or brown sugar, to taste
• Toasted cashews, or (for a non-vegan dish) Cashew Infused Chhena, or both (recipe for the latter is on food52)

1. Simmer the oat groats uncovered in 4 cups of water with the bay leaves, cinnamon stick, vanilla bean and salt for about an hour, or until nearly all the water is absorbed, i.e., until there is a very thin layer of water covering the groats.
2. Add the rice and another cup of water. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat to very low and cover. Cook for 45 minutes, then turn off the heat and let the porridge sit for about fifteen minutes.
3. Remove the bay leaves, cinnamon stick and vanilla bean. For a stronger vanilla flavor, scrape out the vanilla seeds. ( I find that they overwhelm the other flavors in this, so I don't do that.)
4. Stir in the nut milk or half-and-half and the raisins and heat through.
5. Serve with jaggery or brown sugar, to taste, and cashew-infused chhena, if using. Garnish with toasted cashews or other nuts, or pine nuts.
6. Enjoy!! ;o)
7. NB: This is also delicious with my Sweet Almond Chhena, the recipe for which is posted on food52.
8. For vegans, you can leave out the dairy and stir in some cashew or almond butter, or use a rich homemade nut milk.

groats, bay leaves, cinnamon, vanilla bean, salt, sweet brown rice, ubc, yellow raisins, jaggery, cashews

Taken from food52.com/recipes/10556-sweet-and-savory-whole-oats-and-sweet-brown-rice-porridge (may not work)