An old friend had come to visit and cook with me for a few days.
We were planning to make some porridge for an early breakfast, before heading to market, only we’d run out of milk – why did that always seem to happen first thing in the morning?
In a moment of inspiration, I thought about adding coconut milk for flavour and texture. (Inspiration, and also a lonely can forgotten at the back of the cupboard)
Who knows, it could work, it might not – but just in case, I added a teaspoon of freshly grated coconut. (Inspiration plus desperation?)
“Do you know, that in some islands they use coconuts while waiting for a bus?” I’m not entirely sure why I asked that question, almost rhetorical. Maybe I felt there was a need, in my ‘role’ as a travelling chef, to offer tales and adventures from around the world, as if to prove I was who I said I was.
There was a blank stare and raised eyebrows, as if to say ‘huh?’ “You mean they sit on coconuts while waiting for a bus? Or do they use them as payment for the bus ride?” she asked. “And anyway, where exactly are people doing this kind of coconut bus waiting?”
I added a little boiling water to the oats, let it soak for a couple of minutes, then added a can of coconut milk. So far so good
