Spiced Apple Whole Grain Cereal
Apple cinnamon is a classic combination, but recently I also saw a post by Jessica who made Coconut-Chai granola. Inspiration stuck. I love many of the spices in Chai tea including cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Imagine those flavours infusing nutritious whole grains while you sleep. In the morning you just need to fill a bowl and enjoy your breakfast. It’s faster than making a pot of coffee!
Besides, do you really enjoy grocery store cereals? Do you know what goes into them? This is healthier and less expensive. All the grains are available at stores like the Bulk Barn, maybe even in the bulk section of your local grocery store.
If you’re a light sleeper like me, not to worry, the aromas from this are trapped in the slow cooker until you lift the lid — no strange dreams about being lost in an exotic palace!
Seriously, if you haven’t already tried making your own slow cooker cereal this recipe will have you hooked.
To spread the word, I submitted this recipe to Ali’s Healthy Slow Cooker Challenge. She wants you to dig out your slow cookers and use them to cook something healthy. Be sure to visit her site for details and to check out the other submissions.
Spiced Apple Slow Cooker Cereal
Prep:
10 minutes
Cook:
6-7 hours (low)
Yield: 10-12 servings (prepared in a 6.5 quart slow cooker)
- 2 cups apple (leave the peel on, cut into 1-2 cm pieces)
- 1⁄2 cup honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1⁄4 cups toasted almond slivers
- 3 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 3⁄4 cups rinsed pot barley (pearl barley is ok as long as it's not quick cook)
- 3⁄4 cups steel-cut oats
- 3⁄4 cups rinsed wheat berries
- 3⁄4 cups rinsed quinoa
- 4 1⁄2 cups water
- 5 cm cinnamon stick
- 4 cups apple cider (or juice)
Rinse the barley, quinoa and wheat berries with cold water until the water runs clear. (I don’t have a strainer with small enough holes, so I use a measuring cup with a spout and just cover most of the opening when I pour out the water.)
Except for the honey and almonds, place all the ingredients into the slow cooker insert. (You can use a nylon slow cooker liner to make clean up easier, but the ceramic insert is pretty easy to wash.)
Cook on low for 6-7 hours.
Remove the cinnamon stick and stir in the honey.
Ladel into bowls and garnish with toasted almonds.
