One or two recommendations for you, with apologies for the lack of pictures.
Toast your oats! Dr. Rupy recommends this and it adds another dimension to porridge. I've tried it with both Flahavan's Multi Seed Oats and ordinary oatmeal (rather than plain rolled oats), just browning them in a dry pan over a medium heat before making the porridge in the usual way. I haven't looked back.
For a little something to go with drinks, two suggestions from Fiona Cairns' Seasonal Baking, if you have it: rosemary roasted nuts - amongst other things they are flavoured with orange zest and cayenne pepper - and spicy cheese biscuits which have just enough heat, texture from their poppy seed edging, and melt in the mouth.
Nigella's Chocolate Olive Oil Cake (the recipe is in Nigellissima as well) was the perfect pudding on Boxing Day. It's dense without being heavy, properly dark and not too sweet. Have it warm or at room temperature, with cream, crème fraîche, or mascarpone.
Years back I watched Barefoot Contessa making Bar Nuts. A similar recipe can be found in Nigella's Bites; Mixed nuts toasted, add chopped rosemary, muscovado sugar, sea salt, melted butter and cayenne pepper.....very yummy with drinks. A Kilner jar full makes a great gift. The cheese biscuits sound just delicious.
Posted by: Fran H-B | 08 January 2019 at 08:13 PM
Very similar recipe, and a great idea to give a smart jar full of them as a gift - we all loved them!
Posted by: Cornflower | 08 January 2019 at 08:56 PM
Nigella's cake is so popular at our house we call it 'Sunday Cake'. And I'm going to try toasting my oats tomorrow!
Posted by: Cosy Books | 10 January 2019 at 01:21 AM
The Nigella cake always goes down well here. Will try toasting oats!
Posted by: Sam | 10 January 2019 at 10:13 AM
Definitely a cake to make often!
Posted by: Cornflower | 10 January 2019 at 02:41 PM
It was a revelation!
Posted by: Cornflower | 10 January 2019 at 02:43 PM
Well, I have tried soaking the oats and eating them cold; ditto hot. The previous way was simmered with water and all of these methods disagree with my digestive system - shall I try the toasted oats way?
Posted by: Toffeeapple | 10 January 2019 at 08:08 PM
Gosh! I don't know what would be best for digestion but I suppose toasting would be worth a try. I hope you'll find a method that works.
Posted by: Cornflower | 11 January 2019 at 10:53 AM