Preparing Wisely

Sometimes I do some simple basics, not only because we live on simple basics around here, but also because I know a lot of cooks who need the basics. Any student needs the basics in order to have a good foundation. This one is for my beginners. I love you guys! Cream of Wheat made from the whole grain at home, is nutritionally the best option. I think the flavor is off the charts. There isn't a hint of bitterness from rancid old ground wheat if you make it fresh. It's sweeter from the fresh wheat. It has all the benefits of whole grain! I know my kids are more apt to eat it if they help grind it. It's a funny thing. The other plus? Hard White Wheat Berries Organic 25 lb Bag for 40$. That makes 15 servings of hot cereal per pound. How's that for cheap healthy eats?! This same method can be used for any of these:
 Rye Berries Organic 25 lb Bag
 Spelt Berries Organic 25 lb Bag 
 Spelt Berries Organic 5 lb Bag
 Pearled Barley 2.5 lbs 

Here's my hand grinder.WonderMill Junior Deluxe 

WonderMill Junior Deluxe :

I love hard white wheat, but red would work here. You could also add other grains like barley. Malt-o-meal is just that...barley and wheat. They toast the barley before they grind it.

I grind it once on a rough setting. If I cooked it at this point it would be called "cracked wheat". It's much more coarse, but a wonderful texture.

I run it through the mill on a finer setting. Did I mention my kids love to watch this process? Especially if I say things like "stop...save me! I'm too devastatingly beautiful to be put through the grinder". They laugh hysterically.

At this point, it looks like commercially prepared cream of wheat.

I like my cream of wheat not too thick and not to thin. Call me Goldie-locks. It takes 1/3 cup of the cream of wheat to 1 cup of water. I also use a pinch of sea salt.

Bring the water and salt to a boil. Add the cream of wheat in a stream, whisking with a whisk. Stir for 5-7 minutes until thick. It will look like this...

Serve with honey and cinnamon if you want or enjoy the savory version with pepper and butter.

Simple basics. There you go.