Cooked Cereal for a Cold Day

Well, winter may finally be here. Our short winter usually last about 6 weeks. When the temperature dips, I start to think of cooked cereals, the most popular being oatmeal. Oatmeal by itself is not very exciting, but with a little imagination we can bring it up a notch or two. A dollop of butter and brown sugar with milk helps.

But if you taste buds cry for more we need to add something else. This is your chance to add one of your daily servings of fruit.  Using dried fruit makes a convenient add on without cutting up fresh fruit or opening a can. Apples, cranberries or any of your favorites will do. Just drop the dried cut fruit in the water, let it sit for a short time until it soaks up some moisture. I add a little extra water to allow for the fruit then cook a usual. Dried fruit is also handy to add to muffins. Another tasty treat would be to add nuts. Pecans are great and I usually have them in the freezer.

If you are reading this because you are trying to get more fiber in your diet, think oatmeal cookies. If there is a healthy cookie, this is it. Your get fiber from oatmeal, add raisins for fruit and pecans or any other nut you have available.

Trail mixes are handy to carry but can be expensive and sometimes no so fresh. Why not make your own? My daughter enthusiastically recommends the following.

Pistachio Granola

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup apple cider (or apple juice)

2 cups old fashioned oats

2/3 cup chopped pistachios or pumpkin seeds

2/3 cup Grape-Nuts

2/3 cup dried sweet cherries

1/2 cup sunflower seed kernels

1/3 cup sliced almonds

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

Combine sugar and cider in a very heavy, large nonstick skillet; cook over medium-heat 3 minutes or until sugar dissolves, stirring frequently. Stir in oats first, then remaining ingredients; cook 5 minutes or until granola is lightly browned, stirring frequently. Cool completely in the skillet or on a cookie sheet. Store in an airtight container up to a week.

    This would make great snack for the lunch box or to slip in a backpack as pick-me-up instead of something out of a vending machine.

      Another popular hot cereal is Cream of Wheat. The following came from Food.com:

 Creamy Cream of Wheat Cereal With Maple Syrup & Bananas

1 small banana, chopped

2 cups water

2 cups milk (the more fat in the milk, the creamier it will be)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup cream of wheat (also known as farina)

1/2 cup maple syrup (use less if too sweet)

1 banana, sliced for topping

2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted

     Chop 1 cup’s worth of banana. In a saucepan, combine water, milk and salt: bring to a boil. Gradually whisk in Cream of Wheat and continue to whisk constantly until the mixture thickens (this will take about 4 minutes). Stir in maple syrup and chopped bananas. Divide into serving bowls and top with sliced bananas and toasted almonds if desired. Pour cream or milk on top of the hot cereal. This makes 3 to 4 servings depending on the size of bowl you use.

Enjoy these to stay warm the next time we have a cold snap or just when you feel the need for something soothing in your tummy.

     If you have questions or something you wish to share I can be reached at PatsChat@livingston.net.