Creamy Wheat Berry Hot Cereal

From EatingWell: March/April 2007, EatingWell for a Healthy Heart Cookbook — Subscribe Now!

This warming whole-grain porridge pairs cooked wheat berries with rolled oats, fruit and nuts for a filling, fiber-rich breakfast. Using a microwave makes preparation speedy, especially if you've thawed frozen cooked wheat berries overnight in the refrigerator.

READER'S COMMENT:

"Answer to LasMt: Rinse whole wheat kernels (also called berries) before cooking. Presoaking wheat kernels overnight in the water it is to be cooked in will cut cooking time in half. Proportions should be 3 cups hot water to every 1 cup...

Comments

Comment	Posted
This was really good, and was quick to put together since I happened to have cooked wheat berries left over from the day before. I made the recipe exactly as listed except I used maple syrup in place of brown sugar. It wasn't quite sweet enough for me so I drizzled a little extra maple syrup over the top. Very hearty & satisfying for breakfast - more so than oatmeal. JodyT, Key West, FL	8 weeks 1 day ago
Answer to LasMt: Rinse whole wheat kernels (also called berries) before cooking. Presoaking wheat kernels overnight in the water it is to be cooked in will cut cooking time in half. Proportions should be 3 cups hot water to every 1 cup kernels. Salt may be used if desired, 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt per each cup of wheat. Cook kernels about 20 minutes if presoaked; 45 minutes if not. One cup wheat kernels equals 2 1/2 cups cooked, plump kernels. A slow cooker or crockpot will work well to cook whole wheat kernels. Just set on LOW and cook overnight (about 8 hours), stirring once during the first hour of cooking. Use 2 cups of wheat per 4 cups of water. Presoaked wheat kernels may be refrigerated for three to four days. Fully cooked wheat may be refrigerated for one week. Both may be frozen for up to six months. Caution: When first starting to eat wheat, whole grains or any fiber food...START OUT SLOW, like a few(2 to 5) Tablespoons per day, give your body time to adjust to the extra fiber. BL, Ogden, Ut	8 weeks 1 day ago
Where does it give directions on cooking the wheat berries? I read it several times over. Ingredients...wheat berries see directions for cooking....then in directions it has you both ways microwave or stove top adding COOKED WHEAT BERRIES....so how long do they cook and what method is best? How much liquid do you use to cook the wheat berries before you add them to the oat and fruit mix? LasMt, Most North West County, MT	8 weeks 1 day ago
I buy the large-size Oatmeal box and add raisins, dried cranberries/apricots, nuts, coconut and a little salt to the whole container and mix. Each morning, I scoop out the oatmeal mixture and put in a cereal bowl, add milk and w/i five minutes have a warm, healthy breakfast that is delicious. I do not add sugar because of the sweetness of the added items. Anything dried can be added. Barb, Lafayette, IN	8 weeks 1 day ago
I love this recipe. I have made it many times. It's easy to keep the wheat berries frozen or on hand in the fridge, then whip up this hearty breakfast using whatever fruits, dried, fresh or frozen, that I have on hand. Dana, Milwaukee, WI	8 weeks 1 day ago
Delicious! As good as steel-cut oatmeal. It's nice to have an alternative to processed cold cereals for my 15-month-old. , Acton, MA	8 weeks 1 day ago
This is very similar to my usual morning oatmeal, so of course I liked it! The wheat berries give it a nice chewy texture. I downsized the portion and added some fruit on top. Raedia, Arlington, MA	8 weeks 1 day ago
My first experience with wheat berries! I made this and it was fabulous! Anonymous, Harper Woods, MI	8 weeks 1 day ago