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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Wheat Berries w/ Cherries, Berries, & Almonds

Yes, I was raised to believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  I couldn't walk out that door without eating.  But I'm glad that was instilled in me...because it's so true.  It gets your brain and your body warmed up and ready for action.  I've always been a breakfast kind of girl.  Sometimes it's small and light, sometimes it's more substantial.  Either way, I need my breakfast.  And a cup or two of coffee.  

This is a good one for those days when your teeth and your bones are chattering from the bitter cold temps outside your door.  It's reminiscent of rice pudding, porridge, or even a warm fruit soup.  My current favorite grain, wheat berries are cooked until gloriously chewy in a bath of maple-kissed almond milk and before being complimented by juicy, antioxidant-rich berries and cherries.  Topped off with nutty slivers of almonds and a smattering of poppy seeds, I find it pretty irresistible.
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Wheat Berries w/ Cherries, Berries, & Almonds

by Heather Schmitt-González
Prep Time: 5-10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes - 2 hours
Keywords: simmer breakfast vegan vegetarian grains berries

Ingredients (serves 4)
  • ¾ c. wheat berries
  • 2 c. almond milk
  • 2 Tbs. maple syrup, or more to taste
  • sea salt
  • 1 c. blueberries
  • 1 c. cherries, pitted
  • 1 c. strawberries, hulled & quartered
  • sliced almonds
  • poppy seeds
Instructions
Combine wheat berries in a medium to large pot with almond milk, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. Milk should cover wheat berries by about an inch...if it doesn't, add a bit more or some water. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a gentle bubble.

Allow to cook, stirring from time to time, until wheat berries are tender (this can take anywhere from 25 minutes to an hour or more). Wheat berries will sweel and be tender, yet firm when done; mixture will still be a bit soupy. If you're making the grains ahead of time, you can cool them down and refrigerate at this point, gently reheating before service.

Adjust seasoning by adding more salt and/ or maple syrup, if you like. Stir in the berries and cherries. Sprinkle with as many sliced almonds and poppy seeds as you'd like.

recipe adapted from The Food Matters Cookbook by Mark Bittman
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Also, I wanted to give a heads up to all of the Mark Bittman fans out there...Sarah and Kate have started a new cook-along style group for his Food Matters Cookbook.  It’s all about eating more plants and fewer animal products and processed foods — and the positive impact this has on our health and the environment.  It's called the Food Matters project and it will be a weekly event (Mondays) starting February 6th.  Check out the schedule of recipes so far and grab a hosting spot!
I am sharing this post with:
Whole Food Wednesdays
Tasty Tuesdays 33 shades of green TastyTuesdayBB hearthnsoul150 a little birdie told me rook no. 17

Would you like to comment?

  1. I've never eaten wheat berries.  Shame on me.  Sounds really good.

    Growing up in Maine the rule was eat breakfast like a king and dinner like a pauper.  Funny how things like that stick with you. 

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  2. Yes, that is one of my favorite sayings :)

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  3. Mmm this sounds and looks scrumptious! 

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  4. aahh heather I love berries always!!!! and these look delicious and georgeous!!!

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  5. I like wheat berries a lot.  Wish they were easier to find around here--I could eat this breakfast often.

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  6. This is the first time I've every seen or heard of wheat berries.  I would love a  bowl of wheat berries for breakfast.  It looks so hearty and comforting.  

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  7. Nice recipe..bookmarked

    Aarthi
    http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com/

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  8. Heather - this is winter and summer - love the combination. Hearty, healthy and light eating combined.

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  9. This looks delectable, Heather! I have some farro in my cabinet. I might try it with that!

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  10. Looks like a great breakfast recipe to me, I've been struggling with breakfast lately, wanting lighter options but feeling stuck in a rut - thanks for the inspiration!

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  11. Interesante combinación de sabores, la verdad es que es curiosa.

    Saludos

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  12. This is quite a breakfast---it looks like it would fill me up till dinner.
    Blogger hasn't been letting me comment on your blog for a while, it was so frustrating!  

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  13. I have NEVER had wheat berries; I pinned it and it is now on my grocery list. I am a great believer of starting the day with Breakfast; sure looks tasty good.
    Rita

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  14. Super healthy and definitely satisfying delicious dish..

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  15. Hi Heather. What a great winter breakfast meal. Wheat berries (so yummy) are not that often highlighted and should be! Obviously! Just look at that breakfast.

    I'll be hosting Whole Food Wednesdays again at beyondthepeel.net. I hope you'll swing by and even share if you like. Have a great rest of your week.

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  16. mmmm..!! qué rico , sano y rico!!
    Debo de decirte que tu s cuadritos de calabaza aquí son un EXITO,  llevo con 6 veces preparándolos , los llevo a comidas o de visita y siempre quieren la receta! me la han pedido mucho!! gracias, luego vengo a ver más recetitas buenas!"
    Saludos

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  17. ¿Seis veces? ¡Wow! Soy tan feliz que todos ustedes disfrutan de ello. Muchísimasgracias Pily, siempre disfruto de sus comentarios. =)

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  18. Thanks France...I'll stop by and check it out!

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  19. I'm not even going to tell you what my mom served every morning before I headed for that school bus.  Ok, I'll tell you...Oatmeal, eggs and bacon.  BIG breakfast and I'm a big breakfast fan.  Beautiful top photo Heather.  

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  20. I forced myself to start eating breakfast in college and now I can't imagine not. I think it's an addiction...but the good kind. :P

    I LOVE the texture of wheat berries and ahve never thought to turn them into a breakfast bowl. Good. Call.

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  21. being a breakfast kind of "girl" myself, Marion and I have recently "played" with wheat berries. What a fabulous idea to combine them with all these goodies and Almond milk. Now why didn't we think of that??? Thanks for sharing, Heather...
    The Food Matters Project sounds quite interesting. I wish I could participate. Mark Bittman's books have never let me down!!!

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  22. ChocolateandcroissantsJanuary 24, 2012 at 11:41 PM

    I agree that breakfast is the most important meal.  I cannot wait to try this.

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  23. Sounds like the perfect healthy breakfast! We LOVE berries in our house -- I will be sure to try this recipe. Beautiful photos!

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  24. OMG this looks divine!! I love the last shot heather!

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  25. What a lovelely and delicious breakfast. I love the flavorful combination!

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  26. Although I am not a huge oatmeal fan, I really like the different, heartier grains like this for breakfast. I like the combination of ingredients that you have going on here. ;-)

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