Better than Oatmeal: Creamy Breakfast Barley with Macerated Strawberries

If you haven't acquainted yourself with the chewy wonders of barley, I suggest you do so. I'm a big fan of texture and barley is loaded with it, not to mention a whole lot of heart-healthy fiber. Now you might be wondering, "Macerated strawberries...what?" That's just an obnoxiously fancy way of saying "mash up a bunch of strawberries." And it's fun to be obnoxiously fancy every once in awhile, right?

When you put these two ingredients together, it's like a party in your mouth (but not too raucous of a party 'cause it's only 8a). So swap your boring morning oatmeal for this fiber-rich and flavor-packed breakfast treat.

Creamy Breakfast Barley with Macerated Strawberries

Serves: 1-2

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

1/3 c. barley

2/3 c. + a splash of water

1 handful of small strawberries

1 pinch of sugar (optional)

1 tsp. butter

2 tsp. maple syrup

1 splash of cream (1/2 & 1/2, milk, whatever you have on hand)

Method:

1. In a very small sauce pan, add barley and water. Bring to a boil uncovered. Once it reaches a boil, lower heat to a simmer and cover the pan. Let simmer for about 12 minutes.

2. While the barley is simmering, remove stems from strawberries, cut each in half or in fourths and then place in a bowl with a pinch of sugar if you'd like. Take a potato masher, or any blunt kitchen object and begin mashing the strawberries.

3. Once most of the water is absorbed (it's okay to have a tiny bit left in the pan), turn off heat and add butter, maple syrup, splash of cream and the macerated strawberries to the barley. Stir until well combined and let simmer for a few minutes more until thickened to a desired consistency.

#barley #breakfast #strawberry #recipes