When the kids grab their spoons and dig in, they’ll quickly discover that their porridge is not too hot, not too cold, but “just right.”

Once your kids turn the last page of the classic bedtime story “The Three Bears,” tell them that when they wake up in the morning, they’ll get to mash and measure some healthy ingredients and watch them whirl all together in your blender for their own bowls of nutritious and filling porridge.

You’ll actually be preparing a very thick smoothielike concoction that the kids can ladle into cereal bowls instead of drinking glasses, and top with colorful fresh summer fruits and berries.

When they grab their spoons and dig in, they’ll quickly discover that their porridge is not too hot, not too cold, but “just right.”

Gather all these ingredients on your counter, and you’ll have this no-cook breakfast together in minutes.

Porridge Ingredients:

1/2 cup uncooked rolled oats

4 tablespoons low-fat cottage cheese

1/2 cup milk

1 large ripe banana

6 raw almonds or walnut pieces

Juice from 1/2 of a lemon

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Topping Ingredients:

Favorite fruits, such as sliced kiwi, and fresh berries in season, such as strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries.

Here’s the fun:

1. While one child peels and mashes a banana on a plate with a fork, another may wash the berries, and juice the 1/2 lemon.
2. Meanwhile, an adult should place the oats in the blender and pulse a few seconds into a coarse powder.
3. Add the remaining porridge ingredients in the blender and blend, adding extra milk a tablespoon at a time if necessary, for desired consistency.
4. Serve in bowls, and let kids add their favorite fruit toppings. Makes approximately four 1/2-cup servings.

Alternative ideas:

* Peel, slice and freeze the banana the night before for a cooler porridge.

* Add a few strawberries or raspberries to the blender for a sweeter pink porridge.

* Add 2 tablespoons freshly ground flaxseed. I buy mine in bulk and grind it in my coffee grinder before adding it to the porridge ingredients.

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Donna Erickson’s award-winning series “Donna’s Day” is airing on public television nationwide. To find more of her creative family recipes and activities, visit www.donnasday.com and link to the NEW Donna’s Day Facebook fan page. Her latest book is “Donna Erickson’s Fabulous Funstuff for Families.”

© 2020 Donna Erickson

Distributed by King Features Synd.