Magic Vegan Hot Cereal

Almost like an old fashioned pudding, this type of cereal is so comforting and strengthening that I sometimes crave its goodness, especially in the winter when I need lots of good solid food. It’s one of the easiest ways to make sure that you get all of the nutrition needed to get a good start on your day. It keeps well in the fridge, so I usually make enough for 3-5 days. Once you get used to it, you may find that pre-packaged, pre-cooked breakfast cereals don’t taste nearly as good as your own and you’ll save lots of money to spend on other good things to eat…

(P.S. I swear that my mind works quicker when I eat this cereal a few times a week!… I really do!) 

Ingredients 

4 C. Boiled water 1 cup cereal grains – Red River, 8 grain, 12 grain, etc. or make up your own combination – see the list of grains below.

Salt to taste

1/4 – 1 cup dried fruit – raisins, currants, cranberries, blueberries, dates, apricots etc.

1-4 T. honey or molasses (black-strap molasses is not too sweet and very nutritious)

2 T maple syrup (optional) 2T brown or raw sugar

Cinnamon, nutmeg and other spices

2 T. butter, margarine or substitute

Melt the butter or oil in a heavy saucepan, then add your choices of grains and stir to coat all of the grains with oil. Add your choices of fruits and nuts.

Pout the boiling water over the mixture, add your choice of sweeteners (honey, molasses, sugar) stir well, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes until the grains are soft,stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Turn off the heat, add a little more boiling water if the mixture is dry, stir and let stand another 30 minutes to an hour.

Serve with a sweetener – brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, etc. and cream or milk (soy, almond and rice milk is fine with this cereal).

Add some extra raw fruit and nuts if desired.

Options: add sunflower seeds, almonds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, coconut, walnuts, pecans, roasted soybeans Use fresh or frozen fruit – chopped apples, berries, etc. and cook them into the cereal or add them at serving time

You can often buy cereal grains in bulk and save money; mix and match and make your own special blend of: Flax, Rye, Whole Wheat, Wheat hearts, Wheat Germ, Millet, Brown Rice, Quinoa, Amaranth, Oats, Corn meal, Soy grits. Use whole grains for a nice multigrain texture, ground and crushed grains for a smoother, less fibrous cereal.

Gramma Willi’s favorite hot cereal mix: Before adding the boiling water, I like to stir my grains in warmed flax oil; I add Red River Cereal with added millet, quinoa, amaranth, chopped dates and apple, raisins, blueberries, currants, sunflower seeds, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, molassess and maple syrup.

Tips: Soak the grains (and nuts) in hot boiled water overnight – cuts your cooking time in half and your cereal will have a softer texture; Raw food enthusiasts can eat the grains, nuts and fruits after soaking in cold water for a day or so, just as the grains begin to sprout. Add soy protein powder for more nutrition.

Good Food for Everyone!