Oats of the Week: Ancient Grains

The Mix: Bluebird Grain Farms Old World Cereal Blend with sliced almonds, sesame seeds, raisins, and honey

The Story: The return of winter this weekend (it is currently sleeting), made me extra thankful for Melissa’s hot cereal delivery. She sent a pound of whole grains that she’d ordered from her San Francisco CSA. The mix of ground rye, farro, and flax is tastier and more nutrient dense than my standard steel-cut oats. Its nutty flavor marries well with one of my favorite morning power combinations, raisins and honey. At first glance, I thought this rustic mix would need an hour to plump up, but as the directions promised, the grains cooked in about half the time as oats. 

The Workout: A mountain bike ride through the rain and cold. The plan was for a casual ride on the Wallkill Valley Rail trail, but John had other ideas. We ended up riding up the steep Mossy Brook Trail to the Mohonk Mountain House and then into the Mohonk Preserve. 

The Instructions: Follow the package directions, "Add 1 cup of cereal and a pinch of salt to 3 cups water. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low while stirring frequently until water is absorbed and bubbles appear (12-15 min)." Add raisins when the mixture starts to boil. Top with honey, sliced almonds, and sesame seeds. Optional: add a scoop of plain yogurt for extra protein.

 

If you've tried a whole grain cereal that you like, let us know. 

     —Bec