In the world of cuisine there are things that take extreme amounts of time, energy and coordination and then there are those other things that just look like they do. In this article we're going to focus on the latter - preparing quick and simple, healthy, tasty meals that only look like they took a lot of effort.

Just a little over a year ago before moving to the east coast with my wife, I was in the midst of training my class, of very ambitious culinary students, the art of not only thinking outside of the box, but also exploring what's 'in' the box and creating new ways of interpreting what they found. Flavor, texture, timing, aroma and presentation, to mention a few, are the things that we would discuss on their journey towards making fare their best friend.

Variety is the gold you mine from your own backyard.
Variety coaxes the diamond out of 'the rough' and elevates it to display its brilliance for all to see.
And...
Variety will take an ordinary meal and transform it into a masterpiece.

Let's explore hot cereal today and the simple steps you can use to give it a boost.

BREAKFAST

To some it's the most important meal of the day while to others totally obsolete. For me every meal is the most important meal of the day. I look at them like conversations with dear friends on subjects that I truly have an interest in. With every word uttered I, on the edge of my seat, drink in the intoxicating verbiage that would satisfy my curiosity. With every bite, I get pulled further into it. I can't divert my attention, not for a minute. I want to make sure I get it all, take in every last drop. I am fully engaged.

So on that note, we'll take our tour through breakfast.

Today we're going to go with an easy porridge. This is a hot cereal interpretation of my grandmother's oatmeal I used to inhale growing up. It's healthy, the flavor is amazing, it's easy on digestion and it's relatively inexpensive. I love that combo!

Now here's your shopping list [if you don't already have these items on hand]:

HARDWARE
Blender; Saucepan; Whisk [I like the silicone ones to use in my pots to keep from scratching them]; Bowl; Plate

CEREAL
1 cup Organic Millet
1/3 cup Pumpkin Seeds
2 tbsp Chia Seeds
1 tbsp Earth Balance Margarine
4-5 cups Water
1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Sea Salt [to taste, natural air dried(best quality you can get)]
Natural Sweetener [to taste] [maple syrup (grade c or b), evaporated cane juice, honey, agave, etc.]

GARNISH
8 Mint leaves; 4 Cinnamon sticks

In your blender combine your millet, pumpkin seeds and pumpkin pie spice. Pulse blend until a fine powder and set aside in a bowl.

In a 2-3 quart sauce pan add 4-5 cups of water, soy milk [I love Silk's 'Very Vanilla' flavor], nut milk, coconut milk, a combination of them or even apple juice and whisk in your vanilla extract, millet mixture and margarine. Continue to whisk as you bring to a mild boil and reduce to a simmer. Salt and sweeten to taste [evaporated cane juice, maple syrup, etc. - no white sugar]. Once the cereal coats the whisk and reaches your desired consistency you can turn off the heat whisk in your chia seeds and pour the cereal into your bowls. Garnish with the cinnamon stick and mint leaf. (Serves 4)

Make your cereals like this for the next month and see how much your health improves.

Join me for lunch next time!

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As always... it's been great sharing with you. Until next time... Bye for now.