farina // hot cereal 3 ways

It wasn't until I met Justin that I learned to love hot cereals- I am pretty certain I had only had oatmeal from a packet once in my life prior to my early twenties.  We were a cold cereal, doughnut & the "big" breakfast type family with the occasional cinnamon toast or peanut butter English muffin thrown in for good measure. Growing up, hot cereal was a staple for Justin's family; creamy oatmeal and chocolaty farina were favorites.

For me, breakfast times have certainly changed. Don't get me wrong, I still love a warm English muffin topped with peanut butter and the occasional cinnamon raisin bagel, however I am know totally on board the warm cereal train. Most mornings I bring a bowl of instant super food oatmeal to work with me that I throw together the night before- super easy and healthy, not to mention filling. All I have to do is add hot water and stir! On those mornings where I have a bit more time and the ability to enjoy breakfast at home I like to make Farina; aka Cream of Wheat.

 When Justin is home I make a double batch- always with cinnamon and maple syrup, the other stir in's are completely up to you. Cinnamon almond butter is pretty amazing, for those with a sweeter palate, from what Justin says.dark chocolate with espresso beans is pretty darn good.

I can't help myself, every time I sit down with my bowl of farina I say to myself- "if you just close your eyes it kinda tastes like creamy wheat" (from a scene in the Matrix).

The ratios I provide for the base of the farina produces a thicker hot cereal- for a thinner cereal simply add additional almond milk during cooking or after. I prefer during, Justin prefers the latter.

Another must have is a drizzle of pure maple syrup; I love the way the maple syrup pools around the edges of the bowl, then digging in and enjoying a little bit of warm syrup with each bite of cinnamon y farina is pure bliss.

Prior to becoming vegetarian and then vegan I thought of myself as a pretty adventurous eater,  it wasn't until my early twenties that I started to discover so many new and amazing foods that were actually pretty familiar foods to most people. I love exploring new tastes, textures and ways of preparing ingredients - farina is so simple and basic, but completely transforms when a few high quality ingredients are added to the mix.

What is your go to weekday breakfast- do you consider yourself to have a pretty solid breakfast routine or do you switch up your breakfast dishes often?

Farina ~ Hot Cereal 3 Ways
makes 2 servings

you will need:
2 1/2 cups almond milk + extra milk if desired

2 tsp Cinnamon 

1/2 cup farina 

toppings
Cinnamon 

Maple syrup
Vegan Dark Chocolate
1 tbsp Maple Cinnamon Nut butter

assembly:
In a medium sauce pot, bring almond milk (or other non dairy milk) and cinnamon to a boil- reduce heat to medium low and slowly whisk in a 1/2 cup of farina. Continue whisking over medium low heat until farina thickens- about 1-2 minutes.

Transfer farina to serving bowls- top with additional milk if desired and maple syrup along with your topping of choice.

Enjoy!