Whole-Wheat Farina with Berry Swirl
A bright berry sauce swirled into creamy whole-wheat cereal is a sublime alternative to oatmeal. Serve this comforting dish with a splash of milk and a sprinkle of turbinado sugar, if you like. If you don’t have fresh berries, use thawed frozen ones. For the most nutrition and best texture and flavor, choose stone-ground, organic farina over processed or instant cereal.
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 cup whole-wheat farina
- 1 cup fresh berries, such as raspberries, blackberries or blueberries, or a combination
- 2 Tbs. sugar
- 1/4 tsp. fresh lemon juice
Directions
In a saucepan over high heat, bring the water to a boil. Stir in the salt. Slowly whisk in the farina, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the grains are tender, 4 to 6 minutes.
In a blender or food processor, whirl the berries and sugar until smooth. Pour the puree through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl, using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to press on the solids and extract as much juice as possible. Discard the solids. Stir in the lemon juice.
Spoon the farina into 4 bowls, dividing it evenly. Top each with a swirl of the berry puree. Serve immediately. Serves 4.
Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Healthy in a Hurry, by Karen Ansel, MS, RD and Charity Ferreira (Weldon Owen, 2011).