A recipe from The Grain & Salt Society (summer 2000)
The grains listed below were chosen because they are the least allergenic and the easiest to digest. I don’t like calling this “baby cereal” because this cereal is for everyone. Adults and older children can dress up this simple cereal with bananas, date sugar, toasted nuts, sliced apples, milk, maple syrup, blueberries or whatever they’d like. Don’t forget to buy organic grains.
CHOOSE ONE
- 1 cup short-grain brown rice
- 1 cup millet
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 cup sweet brown rice
Place grains in a fine strainer; rinse and drain.
METHOD
Toast grain:
Oven toasting: Preheat oven to 350F. Spread grains on cookie sheet and toast in oven until they give off a nutty aroma (12-15 minutes).
Skillet toasting: Place washed grains in large skillet on burner and toast on medium heat, stirring constantly, until grains give off nutty aroma (about 5-8 minutes).
Let toasted grains cool and store in a sealed container. You can toast a big batch of several different grains at one time and store them in separate jars. This will keep baby and all full of wholesome cereal for many moons.
Grind grain:
For optimum nutrition, grind the grains in a small electric grinder or food processor just prior to using. Once a grain is ground it begins to lose nutritional value within 24-48 hours. Store the whole toasted grains in labelled, sealed containers and grind the amount you need before cooking.
Cook ground grains into cereal:
Baby-sized portion of cereal: Mix together 2-3 tablespoons of ground cereal and 1/2-3/4 cups water and a pinch of sea salt in a small pot; bring it to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 5 minutes.
Family-sized portion of cereal: For four adult- or child-sized servings, use 1 cup ground grains, 3-4 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt. Combine cereal, water and salt in a pot; stir with a whisk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 10-12 minutes.
Preparation time: 8-15 minutes for toasting, 5-12 minutes to cook cereal.
Yield: 1 cup toasted grains makes 4 adult-sized portions of cereal.