Quinoa and Barley Breakfast Porridge

MathMom.calif's Note:

Here is a yummy alternative to oatmeal in the morning. Very healthy whole grains, too. "Super foods" some people call them. Takes a little while to make it, but very yummy. Add your own spices, sweeteners and dried fruit, to your taste. This recipe can be easily halved if you use a small saucepan. Supposedly you can cook in a small crockpot overnight, but I've personally only ever tried this on the stovetop.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• ½ cup barley (I prefer hulled to pearled)
• ½ cup quinoa
• 1 pinch salt
• 4 cups water
• dried fruits (optional, such as raisins, cranberries or cherry)
• honey (optional) or maple syrup (optional) or sugar (optional)
• spices , such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom (optional)
• milk (optional) or yogurt (optional)

Directions:

1. For the crockpot method: Mix the first four ingredients (barley, quinoa, salt and water) and cook on low overnight.
2. For the stovetop method: Combine the first four ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Then simmer covered for about 40 minutes, until all the water is absorbed.
3. For both methods continue from here: Fluff with a fork and put into serving dishes.
4. Add sweetener, dried fruits and spices, as desired. Basically, as you would like for oatmeal. Similar. Serve with milk or yogurt if desired.
5. For Vegan omit the milk and yogurt or sub non dairy milk such as soy milk.

Reviews

[Empress of my world]

This was horrible. There was no amount of seasoning or additives that could make it taste like anything other than dirt. I love barley and I love quinoa, but this recipe did nothing for either of them.

[misdramaqn]

Such a simple, cheap, healthy, and tasty breakfast! I add something diffrent every day. To save time, I cook a double batch on Sundays and then warm a little in the microwave each morning. My favorite is to add blueberries with cinnamon & honey, my DH like maple syrup.

[Mattiehunter]

I have recently discovered quinoa and I love its texture and flavor. Just MAKE SURE you rinse it!! This recipe is better than oatmeal. I added raisins, cinnamon and agave nectar (natural sweetener.) I also added soy milk after it was prepared. I stayed full long after oatmeal wears off. Thank you!