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Cream of Wheat and a Wedding

October 13th, 2006 at 03:43 am

I love being an adult; one of the very best things is being able to eat a bowl of cream of wheat for dinner because that’s what you want. We’re cleaning out the pantry and tackling those little used items. I’ve got a mighty concoction going on in the crock pot; enough said until I determine it’s edible. I made cream of wheat with canned peaches for future frozen breakfasts [edited to clarify: I make a big batch, freeze in cottage cheese tubs, and microwave for future instant breakfasts], and some sugar-free gelatin for snacks and lunches. The crock pot Unchained Medley will go on either cous cous or rice, both needing to re-enter the food rotation.

My spending is low key. My only expenditures other than recurring monthly bills (utilities, rent, etc.) this month have been $4.82 on dining out from entertainment budget and $20.43 from the grocery budget. Really; $25.25, I’m pretty much not a spender. Some of the reason I don’t give mid month updates is because I forget, but other times it’s because there’s not much to update.

I do have a wedding Saturday, the very first I’ve seen as a guest in my life. I was a flower girl once around ten years old at a sorta different wedding (bride in low cut red satin, bridesmaids in black). A couple years ago I performed a ceremony; despite me as clergy, all the other parts were quite traditional (and I’m proud of the ceremony). But this is the first I’ll actually watch. I’m 35. Weird, huh? I ordered personalized labels for the bride’s favorite hooch, so I’ll be buying the hooch; other than that, I do have nice stuff in my gift boxes.

Man, I love cream of wheat. It’s just such comfort food. I am aware it’s a pretty processed grain; that’s why I’ve been more of an oatmeal gal lately, but I just love the stuff. It used to be a “special” food I got to eat only at Grandma’s, so I always thought of it as a treat. And oatmeal has always been groovy too. I’ve never understood the whole anti-hot-cereal vibe. Really, people, add brown sugar or fruit if you need to, but don’t pass up that hot cheap good comfort.

10 Responses to “Cream of Wheat and a Wedding”

  1. jodi Says:
    1160708365

    My parents used to make us Cream of Wheat growing up - plain for my brothers and mom, cocoa added for dad and I. They called it porridge. I thought it was so cool that I knew what porridge was, as none of my friends did...but now that I'm older, I realize it was just Cream of Wheat.

    So what is porridge anyway????

    Maybe I'll make some tomorrow for my boys...with cocoa, of course!


    (okay, my curiousity just got the better of me and I googled porridge - according to Wikipedia, it is a "simple dish made by boiling oats (normally crushed oats, occasionally oatmeal) or another meal in water, milk, or both" So maybe it was porridge?? Sorry to tangent so much in your blog!)

  2. contrary1 Says:
    1160709407

    I've been on a hot cereal gig here too lately. Cold in the AM......plus I'm seriously trying to follow some better eating habits.

    And, like you........I'm attempting to use up what is already in the pantry here. Hot cereal it is!

    I have a recipe somewhere for overnight oatmeal in a crock pot that is oh so creamy. Need to dig that out!

  3. Bookie Says:
    1160712995

    Oatmeal. You remind me that I have a box of it on my pantry inventory. Must dig that out.
    .
    On the subject of weddings: People stopped inviting me when I started to mention that no marriage I've been asked to witness has ever failed to end in divorce. Saves me a fortune in dress suit cleaning bills.

    Smile

  4. DivaJen Says:
    1160713935

    When you say, "I made cream of wheat with canned peaches for future frozen breakfasts" what exactly do you mean? Do you make c of w ahead of time and then freeze it?

    I love cream of wheat but never liked it as a kid. My daughter loves it, but she likes to put cinnamon and sugar on it, and sprinkles too. I have to keep an eye on her cream of wheat to sprinkles ratio. Wink
    I would like to figure out a way to have more time in the morning to make hot cereal for myself. I have no routine for it, so instead I grab cold cereal because it takes all of 20 seconds to prepare. If only I would get up earlier...I really am not a morning peson.

    And hey! I didn't know you were 35. Smile I am too.

  5. JanH Says:
    1160719693

    I am an oatmeal kind of gal, also. Love it anytime. It is really versatile.

  6. tinapbeana Says:
    1160749147

    another hot cereal fan here! oatmeal with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins & walnuts. mmmmmmmmmm.... for those that like cream of wheat, you might like quinoa.

  7. PRICEPLUS Says:
    1160768585

    Oatmeal in the microwave. No sugar. I chop a bannana into it and apply a liberal amount of cinnamon! It is one of the perks of being an adult!Smile
    Weddings run into a serious expense. In this part of the country you are expected to cover the plate and still have some left over for a gift. I know of many who don't fill out the check for a gift until they see what is what at the reception! I think it is pretty funny!Big Grin

  8. Champion Cheapskate Says:
    1160792736

    Yum, yum. Oatmeal, oatbran, wheat, creamy buckwheat, etc.

    Boil water (less than amount listed, you may have to play with it to get it right). Cut up or de-core fruit, if you choose. Once boiling, stir in cereal until mixed in good. Remove from heat. Stir in spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg and possibly some natural cocoa powder (chocolate, wait until you taste it!). Now add in any fruit: apple chunks, raisins, banana, peaches, pears, papaya, etc. Stir it in. Cover and let stand for half an hour. The steam turns finely cut apple chunks into a tasty applesauce. Then uncover and eat Smile
    This method makes the creamiest cereal I have ever tasted, without work. Even without fruit, it tastes like butter was added. You don't have to stand over it and stir. Go about your business until the water boils. Stir it in. Cover it and let it stand. It's that simple. Put it on when you first wake up. And after a vigorous workout or your daily routine, enjoy breakfast.

    Oh, many times I add up to a table spoon of honey for taste. If you use raisins, let them soak overnight in a glass with a moderate amount of water, just enough to cover the expansion. The raisins plump up and the water becomes a sweet syrup. That's why you must use the right amount of water. Too much and it tastes a little bitter. However, the raisins are fine. Put the raisin syrup in only after your uncover the final meal.

    Finally, I sometimes use cereal as a rice or pasta substitute at dinner or lunch. As a base or as a side dish. Try it, you'll like it. Bon appetite.

  9. baselle Says:
    1160812050

    Malt o meal. Cream of wheat is good, very good, but I love the malt o meal.

  10. LuxLiving Says:
    1160909336

    Love me hot cereals! Mmmmmm!!

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