Spelt Berry Oatmeal Apple Hot Cereal

I had fun making another spelt berry hot cereal. Here and here are 2 other ones I made a couple years ago that were really good too. It is fun to have different textures in your hot cereal. It also adds some added nutrition combining the grains. The grated apples added a nice natural sweetness too. It is a nice complete breakfast with the apple added.  This would be easy to make the night before and have ready for the next morning. You can store leftovers in an airtight container and eat cold or hot for a breakfast or snack.

Ingredients:
1/2 C spelt berries
3 1/2 C water
1 T coconut oil
1 1/2 C old fashioned oatmeal
3/4 C almond milk
2 big apples grated (I used pink lady)
1/4 tsp almond extract (You could also use vanilla)
1 tsp cinnamon (I used a zester and grated a cinnamon stick)
1/2 tsp fresh nutmeg (or powder if you don't have the fresh ) 
sweetener added to taste (I added a small amount of honey)
* 2 T ground flax could be added when you add the oatmeal* optional
* You could also top it off with fresh fruit or chopped nuts.
 
Directions: Serves 5- 6
1. Pour spelt and water in medium saucepan and let it boil on med high a couple minutes. Turn down the heat and let it simmer about 15 min. The spelt will be tender but still have some firmness to it.
2. Stir in the oatmeal on medium low heat. Gradually add the almond milk. Let it all cook together about 7 min.
3. Pour in the grated apple, extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Let cook on low 2 min.
4. Pour into bowls. You can add a little almond milk on top too. Store leftovers in air tight container. 

Creamy Spelt Berry Oatmeal Cereal

Here is another great breakfast meal to try. This hot cereal tasted so good. It is a nice hardy cereal. Loaded with a lot of great whole grains. It is a great way to start out your day. I felt really satisfied after eating it.
I loved all the texture in it. It had a wonderful creaminess to it too. The great thing is we ate leftovers this morning that tasted great. It would make a great afternoon snack as well.

Ingredients: Serves 4
2 C milk (of your choice)
1 1/4 C old fashioned oatmeal
3 T ground flax *optional
1 to 2 T coconut oil (adds a nice creamy texture)
1/2 C raisins
1 1/4 C Spelt berries (You could use wheat or kamut)
2-3 T honey
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger * optional
topping ideas: freshly grated nutmeg, unsweetened coconut, dried cranberries, chopped nuts.

Directions:
1. In a saucepan bring the milk to a boil. Then stir in oats, oil and raisins. Turn down heat to low, cover with lid and let simmer 3 min.
2. Stir in cooked spelt berries, honey and spices, and cook for about 1 min. Till completly warm.
3. Top with your favorite topping. I poured a little milk on top too. Enjoy!

Spelt Berry Cereal with Berries

You can read about spelt here.. It has been a wonderful grain I have enjoyed very much. In lots of ways. It is a great alternative to wheat, it has a a lower gluten content too. A friend was recently telling me how much her family enjoyed it as a cereal. It would be similar to how people eat wheat berries. It was a fun breakfast. (The blueberries were frozen in this picture it was nice to mix them in and it cools down the cereal.

Ingredients:
2 C water
1 C spelt
1 T coconut oil
1 tsp pumpkin spice * optional
* Toppings: Blueberries or fruit of your choosing, coconut, almond milk, honey, etc... *

Directions:
Pressure cooking method:
1. Pour spelt, water, oil and spice into the pressure cooking.

2. Set the pressure cooker on to high pressure. Set timer for 25 min.

3. Put on lid and let it cook. Let the pressure release on its on. You can leave it on warm and serve whenever you want to.

4. Top with your favorite toppings.

Stove top method: Add an extra cup of water

1.Pour 3 cups of water into medium saucepan heat till comes to a boil.

2. Pour cup of spelt in boiling water and add spices and oil. Let it come to a boil again.

3. Put the lid on turn it to low. Let it cook another 40-60 min or until soft and they start to split. Drain off water.

4. Then serve and put on your favorite topping.

*Store left over berries in the fridge. Spelt berries could also be thrown in with other dishes like salads, soups, chili, casseroles and ? They will add some extra nutrition and fiber to your dish.