Creamy Breakfast Grains with Cherries and Toasted Almonds

Makes 6 servings
Serving size: about 3/4 cups
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 13 minutes

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Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 cup coarse ground bulgur
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 3 cups 1% milk* (*plus 1½ cups milk for serving)
• 2 tablespoons agave nectar (or honey)
• Pinch of salt
• 3/4 cup chopped dried tart cherri

Instructions:

Heat oil in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add bulgur and spices to pan and toast lightly, stirring occasionally until spices are fragrant, about 3 minutes.

Carefully (mixture may splatter) add milk, agave nectar and salt; stir well. Heat mixture over medium-high heat, but do not boil. Reduce heat to low and cover partially. (Do not cover tightly or mixture will boil over). Simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is absorbed, but grains are still loose and creamy, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cherries. Let sit for 3 to 5 minutes. Divide cereal between 6 breakfast bowls. Garnish each serving with sprinkle of the toasted almonds. Serve warm, passing additional hot milk.

This is a delicious way to start the day – and it’s loaded with protein and fiber.  Feel free to experiment with different nuts or berries. It’s easy to reheat leftovers the next day. Just add milk and microwave for a minute or two.

Recipe by Cheryl Forberg, RD, author of Positively Ageless: A 28 Day Plan for a Younger, Slimmer Sexier You, (Rodale - April 2008) 

Nutrition Facts per serving for individual food:

Calories	278
Total Fat	7 g
Saturated Fat	1.7 g
Cholesterol	10 mg
Sodium	86 mg
Calcium	25% Daily Value
Protein	11 g
Carbohydrates	47 g
Dietary Fiber	0 g