Hot cereal, cream of wheat, or creamy wheat farina - it may differ slightly brand to brand, but it's often about the same thing with slight variations. This hot cereal breakfast is made with plant-based milk so it is super creamy, and swirled with vanilla and raspberries to add a decadent flavor to your morning. The flavor of the hot cereal is not overpowering with a mild taste and a creamy texture, so it is a great base to add flavor and toppings to. The texture is quite similar to hominy grits.
Nutritionally the cereal varies too, depending on what type you buy, so if fiber, carbs, or iron is a concern you will want to check out the label in advance. If you want to learn more about the variations, I've included some links to sources below the recipe. If you need iron added to your plant-based diet, an enriched cream of wheat is one way to obtain it.
I do enjoy creamy wheat farina (the type I have on hand) as it adds some variety to my vegan breakfast routine, and I can add seeds, berries, and other healthy toppers to the mix to add nutrition to the start of my day.
Creamy raspberry wheat farina breakfast
Ingredients
- 1 cup non-dairy milk such as cashew milk
- 1/4 cup cream wheat farina cream of wheat, or hot cereal
- 1/4 cup raspberries freeze-dried or fresh
- 1/4 tsp vanilla paste or extract
- 1/8 tsp stevia extract more to taste
Toppings (Optional)
- 1/8 cup pumpkin seeds or granola
- fruit of choice
Instructions
- Whisk together then heat the non-dairy milk, stevia, and wheat farina according to package directions. This will be bringing to a boil, then simmering over medium heat for a few minutes, for 1 minute in the microwave and stir, then heat for a further two minutes.
- While heating, add the raspberries if you are using dehydrated or freeze-dried ones. Add the raspberries after cooking if you are using fresh or thawed berries.
- Top with your favorite garnish, such as granola (pictured here), seeds, or other superfoods such as chia or elderberries.
If you want to reduce the calories, you can substitute some or all of the non-dairy milk with water.
Toppings and other additions
You can add all sorts of toppings to this dish. A few of my favorites are:
- Nuts (peanuts or cashews are a favorite - toasted even better)
- Seeds (pumpkin or sunflower kernels are both great)
- Granola
And also be sure to consider adding your favorite healthy toppers based on nutrition need, such as flax or elderberries.
More about hot cereal, and where to find it
To learn more about the benefits of Cream of Wheat, see this article from SF Gate that walks through the nutrition advantages of this version of the hot cereal. Cream of Wheat, unlike some of the other cereals is enriched with iron and is also a source of B vitamins, but not a source of fiber like many other breakfast cereals. You may want to add your own.
Hot cereal or wheat farina is similar to Cream of Wheat, but depending on the manufacturer, it may not be enriched with iron or other vitamins. Be sure to read the label. If you are gluten free, there is a brown rice based farina that you can find in stores or online, and also whole wheat farina, which I have personally not tried yet (but is next on the list). Whole wheat is a healthful choice, and this variety of wheat farina has iron and fiber unlike the cream wheat version. It's a good ingredient to have on hand, as you can also use it to make meals like polenta and grits-style dishes.
Jen deHaan
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