Friday, February 08, 2013

creepy-creamy farina

Farina is yummy. The kid on the farina box is creepy.
On a cold, winter morning, nothing is more comforting to me than a creamy bowl of farina. It's quick to make, sticks to your ribs, and carries you through until lunch time. Plus it lends itself beautifully to improvisation. Yesterday, I cooked my farina with dates, and sweetened it up further with just a dab of maple syrup. Eating it from my favorite cat cup instead of a bowl made it that much more special. Presentation is everything.

Incidentally, farina itself is not creepy. But the illustration of the kid on the box is über creepy. What's in his other hand, I wonder? A knife? A gun? Is he going to try to bite me with his perfect, creepy little teeth? If Farina Mills changes its box design, I'd venture to guess that the farina-phobic would suddenly experience miraculous recoveries.

Cold morning comfort

Creamy Farina with Dates and Maple Syrup

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3 T farina
  • 2 dates chopped
  • 1 tsp maple syrup
  • 1 T pecans or other favorite nut, chopped
  • Dab Earth Balance or coconut oil [optional]
  • Non-dairy milk, to taste [optional[
Serves 1

Heat water and salt to boiling. Whisk in farina, a little at a time. Whisk continuously or it will get lumpy. Add dates and maple syrup and cook until it reaches your desired thickness--about 3 minutes. Top with a dab of Earth Balance or coconut oil if you like – even 1/8 tsp  makes the farina that much more luxurious. Add non-dairy milk to taste, if you like [I just eat mine without].



Follow Me on Pinterest

10 comments:

Dreena said...

omgosh, I grew up eating cream of wheat - you have brought back memories. Yes, time for them to update their packaging!! ;)

Unknown said...

yeah that kid is creepy. i think it's the teeth... and brainwashed expression. (~erica in pdx)

coconutandberries said...

Haha I kind of like the retro box! This looks so creamy and restorative-looking :) I've not tried cream of wheat but it sort of looks like overcooked couscous! (or oatbran I guess).

Babette said...

I have a sudden craving for cream of wheat. I love that stuff. But I think I like cream of barley even more.

Jenn said...

A warm mug of Cream of Wheat with brown sugar was a treat over cold cereal when I was a kid. My husband on the other hand was always given farina for breakfast in the winter and he spend a lot of time trying to fling it on the ceiling or feed it to the dog.

dawn k said...

I agree with you on all counts. And am now desperately jealous of your awesome cat cup!

Anonymous said...

Looks yummy! I am always in search of new breakfast ideas. I will have to try this one.

Joey said...

I think it's the weird dead eyes that make him look like he's just not right.

So farina's a new thing on me - what's it made of? Is it like porridge?

Millie said...

I love, love, love cream of wheat...it is so soothing on a cold Winter morning. I have even eaten it for dinner when I don't want to cook...delicious.

http://nuestracena-vegancuisine.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Farina is amazing! 50% RDA of iron & 20% of your calcium in one fell swoop. Plus, all that winter-warm full feeling for only 120 calories, so adding nuts and berries (mmmm) doesn't kill if you're trying to reduce calories. I eat it almost daily with a little stevia and vanilla extract. -Lisa