Hirsebrei
Millet porridge
Hirsebrei: Germany's creamy millet porridge cooked in milk, with cinnamon, apple and berries
Hirsebrei is one of the oldest dishes in German cooking, the millet porridge of fairy tales, and it is still made in homes across the country as a warm breakfast or a sweet supper for children on cold evenings. Golden millet is rinsed, then simmered in milk until creamy and soft, and served with stewed apple, berries and a dusting of cinnamon. A bowl gives about 12 g of protein from the milk and millet; stir in a spoon of quark or top with chopped almonds if you want more. The usual mistake is skipping the rinse: unrinsed millet tastes bitter and soapy, so rinse it in hot water until the water runs clear. Chef's tip: toast the rinsed millet in the dry pan for a minute before adding milk; it brings out a lovely nutty flavour.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the porridge
- 7 oz hulled millet
- 3 ¼ cups whole milk
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 tbsp honeyor sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
To serve
- 1 applegrated or diced
- 2 tbsp chopped almonds (optional)
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Put 7 oz hulled millet in a sieve and rinse under hot running water, rubbing it with your fingers, until the water runs clear.
Step 2: Tip the millet into a saucepan and toast over a medium heat for 1–2 minutes, stirring, until dry and smelling nutty.
2 minStep 3: Pour in 3 ¼ cups whole milk, add 1 pinch salt and bring to a gentle boil, stirring so it doesn't catch. Watch it: milk boils over fast.
5 minStep 4: Turn the heat to low, cover and simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the grains are soft and the porridge is thick and creamy. Add a splash of milk if it gets too stiff.
18 minStep 5: Stir in 2 tbsp honey, ½ tsp vanilla extract and 1 apple and leave off the heat, covered, for 3 minutes.
3 minStep 6: Spoon into bowls, dust with ½ tsp ground cinnamon and top with 7 oz strawberries or other berries and 2 tbsp chopped almonds.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 380 kcal
- Protein
- 12 g
- Carbs
- 60 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does hirsebrei take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of whole milk?
- Semi-skimmed milk with 1 tbsp cream per 240ml (1 cup).
- What can I use instead of honey?
- Maple syrup or golden syrup, same amount.
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