Nothing brings my boys to the kitchen like the sound of our food processor whirring away! Since the day my youngest son was fed his first taste of solids a couple of months ago, my older two son's interest in everything he eats has not waned. They beg to try anything their baby brother is eating and I, being fully aware of the amount of nutrients I try to cram into each of those baby meals, am more than happy to oblige.
This Apple Spice Cream of Millet is the first breakfast cereal I feed to my babies. It is similar in consistency to Cream of Wheat and Gerber's Prepared Baby Cereals but since the millet is freshly ground, all the iron, protein and other vital nutrients it contains are maintained without the use of preservatives.
I have found that by adding fresh fruits and vegetables like grated apples or carrots and chopped spinach or kale to their breakfast cereals, I'm able to sneak some extra flavor and nutrients into my babies tummies first thing in the morning.
Growing up, my mom made Cream of Wheat for breakfast frequently. My favorite part was meticulously arranging the raisins and brown sugar on top to create a happy face. With so many different nuts, seeds, and dried fruits so widely available these days, my boys and I have a lot of fun each morning coming up with different, healthier variations on my traditional raisin and brown sugar happy face.
{Apple Spice Cream of Millet}
3 T. whole millet
3/4 c. coconut milk, unsweetened
1/2 apple, grated
fresh baby spinach leaves, finely chopped
1 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. nutmeg
1/4 t. all spice
a pinch of salt
Grind whole millet in a food processor using a milling blade until it is the consistency of flour. Bring almond milk and spinach leaves to a light boil over low heat. Add millet, 1 T. at a time while whisking continuously to avoid clumps. Add apple. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and let stand 1 -2 minutes until thickened. Add spices. Pour into bowls. If desired, sweeten with maple syrup or honey and top with fresh berries, chopped nuts and/or dried fruit.
makes 2 -3 servings.
{notes:}
*for babies 12 months & older, prepare as is;
*for babies 12 months & under, prepare as is & omit toppings;
*for babies 9 months & under, substitute coconut milk with water & omit apple & spinach;
*any dairy or plant based milk can be substituted for the coconut milk;
