Victorian Era - Porridge

💭 Think About...

**Historical Facts:**
• During Queen Victoria's reign (1837-1901), England became the world's most powerful nation
• Porridge was eaten by both rich and poor - wealthy families added cream and sugar, poor families ate it plain
• The Industrial Revolution meant many families moved to cities and couldn't grow their own food
• Victorian breakfast was very important - they believed it gave energy for a hard day's work
**Discussion Questions:**
- Why did porridge become such an important breakfast food during the Victorian era?
- How did the Industrial Revolution change the way families cooked and ate meals?
**Activity:** First 5 minutes: explore Victorian daily life and the importance of hearty breakfasts, 30 minutes: make traditional stovetop porridge with Victorian-era ingredients, 10 minutes: eat porridge while discussing how social class affected what people could afford to eat

🔨 Your Project

**Today's Recipe: Victorian Oat Porridge**

**Ingredients:**

- 1 cup rolled oats

- 3 cups water or milk

- 1/2 tsp salt

- 2 tbsp brown sugar

- 1/4 tsp cinnamon

- 2 tbsp dried fruit (raisins or currants)

- Butter for serving

**Steps:**

  1. **Boil liquid** - Bring water or milk to gentle boil in heavy saucepan
  2. **Add oats** - Stir in oats slowly to prevent lumping
  3. **Add salt** - Sprinkle in salt (Victorian cooks always salted their porridge)
  4. **Simmer slowly** - Cook on low heat 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently
  5. **Sweeten** - Add brown sugar and cinnamon, stir until dissolved
  6. **Add fruit** - Stir in dried fruit, cook 5 more minutes
  7. **Test consistency** - Should be creamy but not too thick
  8. **Serve hot** - Top with butter pat like wealthy Victorians did!

**Cultural Connection:** This warming breakfast gave Victorian workers energy for 12-hour days in factories and fields!